Rhome Municiple Court

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.

Under our American system of justice, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

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.

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;

(d) a serious traffic violation;

(e) in construction zone with workers present;

(f) speeding 25 mph or over limit.

Click here for information on the 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.

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

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 - $188.00 for 10 mph over posted speed and $4.00 for each additional mile over.

No Insurance - $288.00

No Seatbelt - $135.00

Unrestrained Child - $197.00

Ran Stop Sign - $191.00

Open Container - $246.00

Parking Prohibited $120.00

Mud Flaps - $141.00

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 $20.00 administration fee.

To determine the amount of your fine. Contact Sherry Taylor, Court Clerk @ 817 636-2333, (Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm)

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.

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.