Pleas

JUVENILES AND MINORS MUST APPEAR IN PERSON IN COURT WITH A PARENT OR GUARDIAN (C.C.P. art 45.0215). MAILED IN PLEAS OR PAYMENT OF FINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The law requires you to appear in court on your case.


  • If you were issued a citation, your appearance date is noted on the citation.
  • If you have been released on bond, your appearance date is set on the bond.
  • If you request a continuance, the court will notify you of your new appearance date.
You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail, or you may deliver your plea in person to the court.


Your first appearance is to determine your plea.
Pleas


  • Plea of Guilty - By a plea of guilty, you admit that the act is prohibited by law, and that you have no defense or excuse for the act.  A plea of guilty can be used against you later in a civil suit if there was a traffic accident (another party can say you were at fault or responsible for the accident because you plead guilty to the traffic charge).
  • Plea of Nolo Contendere (no contest) - A plea of nolo contendere means that you do not contest the State's charge against you.  You will almost certainly be found guilty, unless you are eligible and successfully complete a driving safety course and/or court ordered probation.  Also, a plea of nolo contendere cannot be used against you in a subsequent civil suit for damages.
  • Plea of Not Guilty - A plea of  not guilty means that you are informing the Court that you deny guilt or that you have a good defense in your case, and that the State must prove what it has charged against you.  If you plead not guilty, you will need to decide whether to hire an attorney to represent you or represent yourself in court.
  • If you waive a jury trial and plead guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), you may talk to the judge about extenuating circumstances that you want the judge to consider when setting your fine, but the judge is not required to reduce your fine.
  • If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a jury trial unless you waive that right. If you do, the trial will be before the judge.


If you want to waive your right to trial and pay your fine or warrant, you can now do so online.