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Rhome Municipal Court
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Honorable Judge Michael Sinha
Municipal Court Clerk Sherry Taylor
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COURT APPEARANCES AND PLEAS
If you were issued a citation, you must make
an appearance to determine your plea in person
or by mail within 10 calendar days of the date
of the violation.
A TELEPHONE CALL DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN APPEARANCE!
READ THE BACK OF THE CITATION CAREFULLY.
Please consider each plea before making a decision.
PLEA OF NOT GUILTY- means that you deny guilt
or that you have a defense in your case.
You may hire an attorney or you many represent
yourself. You are entitled to a jury trial.
If you waive a trial by jury, the judge will
hear your case.
PLEA OF GUILTY- means that you admit the act
is prohibited by law, that you committed the
act charged, and that you have no defense or
excuse for your act.
PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE - means that you
do not contest the State's charge
against you. A plea of nolo contendere can
not be used against you in a civil suit.
If you fail to appear either in person or
via mail as provided by law, a warrant may
be issued, and you may not be permitted to
renew your driver's license or register your
vehicle in this state.
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COURT HEARINGS
If you plea NOT GUILTY, you will be
notified by mail of your court date
for a PLEA HEARING.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE OF NOTIFYING THE COURT
OF ANY ADDRESS/MAILING CHANGES.
If you plead not guilty, you need to
decide whether to hire an attorney to
represent you or you may
represent yourself.
Court Hearings are held in the evening
at the Rhome Annex Building located
at 261 North School Road (located next
to the Volunteer Fire Department).
If you need a continuance for your trial,
you must put the request in writing and
submit it to the court with your reasons
within 72 hours of your trial.
The judge will make a decision whether or
not to grant the continuance.
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Under our American system of justice, all
persons are presumed to be innocent until
proven guilty.
DEFERRED DISPOSITION (PROBATION)
Your request for deferred disposition must
be received by the court before your
appearance date.
If your request is granted by the judge, you
will be notified by mail and you must comply
with the terms ordered. YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
FOR DEFERRED if you hold a Commercial
Driver's License or if the offense occurred
in a construction zone with workers present.
DEFERRED DISPOSTION--DRIVING SAFETY COURSE
If you are charged with a moving violation, you
may request before your appearance date to take
a driving safety course.
At the time of request, you must present proof
of liablity insurance, copy of Texas Drivers
License, and pay court costs/administrative
fees ($95.00 or $120.00 for school zone offense).
PLEASE NOTE: You are eligible to request driving
safety course if you:
-have a valid Texas Driver's License,
-auto insurance in your name,
-have not taken course in past 12 months,
-DO NOT hold a commercial driver's license,
-have not committed one of the following offenses:
(a) failure to give information at accident scene;
(b) leave scene of accident;
(c) passing school bus;
(d) a serious traffic violation;
(e) in construction zone with workers present;
(f) speeding 25 mph or over limit.
Click for information on driving safety course.
Imposition of judgement will be deferred to
allow you to complete a driving safety course
that has been approved by the TEXAS EDUCATION
AGENCY. You MUST present to the court your
certified driving record from the TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
YOU MUST FILE YOUR DRIVING RECORD AND
COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE WITHIN
90 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE REQUEST,
or your case will not be dismissed
and the offense will appear
on your driving record.
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MINORS (JUVENILES)
Municipal court has jurisdiction over
minors (age 17 or younger) charged with
Class C misdemeanor offenses, Public
Intoxication (age 17-20), Possess/Consume
Alcohol (under age 21), and Possession
of Tobacco (under age 18).
ALL MINORS MUST APPEAR IN OPEN COURT WITH
A THEIR PARENT for all court proceedings
in their case. Minors who fail to appear
or who fail to pay their fine will be reported
to the Department of Public Safety who will
suspend their driver's license. Minors who do
not have a driver's license will not be able to
obtain one until their case is resolved.
WARNING: A child and parent required to appear
before the court have an obligation to provide
the court the current address and residence of
the child.
COURT COSTS AND FINES
In addition to a fine, court costs mandated by
state and local law will be charged.
Speeding - $183.00 for 10 mph over posted speed
and $4.00 for each additional mile over.
No Insurance - $284.00
No Seatbelt - $131.00
Unrestrained Child - $193.00
Ran Stop Sign - $186.00
Open Container - $242.00
Parking Prohibited $120.00 Mud Flaps - $136.00
Expired D.L., Expired Vehicle Registration, or
Inspection may be dismissed by the court IF PROOF
OF RENEWAL is presented BY THE APPEARANCE DATE
with a $10.00 administration fee.
Contact Sherry Taylor, Court Clerk 817 636-2333
(Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm)
to determine the amount of your fine.
The Court has a 24-hour payment drop box
located in the front of City Hall.
You may pay by cash, credit card, check or
money order made payable to "The City of Rhome."
****NO OUT OF STATE CHECKS****
You must include your name and citation number
with your payment.
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The Court complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special services (sign interpretative services, alternative audtio/visual devices, amanuenses)or if you do not speak or understand English and need an interpreter, please request this before your court date. To make arrangements, call 817-636-2333, or TDD 1-800-RELAY,TX (1-800-735-2989).
Carrying a concealed weapon on the premisies
in the City of Rhome is illegal.
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