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APPEARANCE AND PLEAS
IF
YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 17 OR IF YOU HAVE A MINOR IN POSSESSION
CHARGE, YOU AND A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST APPEAR BEFORE THE
JUDGE. CONTACT THE COURT FOR A DATE. YOU MAY VISIT OUR
YOUTH/JUVENILE OFFENDERS PAGE FOR MORE
INFORMATION.
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APPEARANCE: Your
signature on the citation is your promise to appear before this
court on or before the date that appears on your citation at the
clerk's office.
Telephone calls
DO
NOT constitute an appearance!
You may appear either in person
or by mail,
photo identification is required
when making an appearance.
If your appearance is done via mail, your plea must be postmarked on
or before the appearance date on your citation.
If you use the U.S. postal service, it is recommended that all
correspondence with the court be mailed
Certified-Return Receipt Requested. This is for YOUR
Protection, as it is your responsibility to prove that your
plea, requests, or any other documents were mailed in a timely
manner.
In lieu of appearing on
or before your initial appearance date, you can make a plea of
Guilty or No Contest and pay your fine in full by mail,
online, or
use our drop box. Please see our
payment options for further details. You can appear in person to request an extension
to pay the fine.
Payment of a fine accepted by the court (by mail,
online or in person)
constitutes a finding of guilty in open court as though a plea of
“no contest” had been entered by the defendant. Article 27.14©
of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
YOUR ADDRESS-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
It is your responsibility to notify the court of any changes in your
address. The court is required to
ONLY use the last known address in our
records.
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YOUR PLEA:
Plea of Guilty:
You admit the act is prohibited by law and you committed the charge
filed against you.
Plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest):
You do not contest the State’s charge filed against you.
Plea of Not Guilty:
You deny guilt and require the State to prove the charge filed
against you, which entitles you to a trial by either judge or jury.
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