Responding to Citations or Complaints

I received a citation, now what do I do?

Defendants are legally obligated to take action on a ticket, citation, or complaint within 20 business days after receiving it. All juveniles must attend court (they cannot plea or pay online). Your appearance date is noted on your ticket, citation, or court notice. You or your attorney may appear in person or by mail (postmarked before the appearance date provided you are not a juvenile). Your first appearance is to offer a plea.

What are my plea options?

Defendants have three plea options in responding to a citation or complaint: guilty, no contest, or not guilty.

• Guilty Plea: If you plead guilty, you admit to having done the act charged, and you are waiving your right to a trial.
• No Contest (“Nolo Contendere”): If you plead "no contest," it has the same outcome as pleading guilty, but you do not have to admit fault or guilt. You also waive a right to a trial. This plea may be helpful for any civil case involving this matter.
• Guilty and No Contest Pleas result in a conviction which may affect your housing, job, licenses, or immigration. Talk with a lawyer to learn more about these possible consequences.
  • The judge will enter a conviction which will go on your criminal record. You may be ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
  • You may also be eligible to request Deferred Disposition or another alternative that, if completed successfully, will lead to your case being dismissed. Discuss alternatives with the judge, prosecutor, or your lawyer.
  • What will happen next? Plead “No contest” or “Guilty”
• Not Guilty Plea: This means you deny guilt of the violation in which you were accused, and your case will be scheduled for a trial date.
  • Before trial, you may choose to discuss your case with the prosecutor and explore alternative resolutions.
  • If your case will proceed to trial, please inform the court whether you want a trial by judge or jury.
  • At your trial, a judge or jury will hear the evidence to determine your guilt or innocence. The state must prove its charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • If you are acquitted or found not guilty at trial, you will not have a record or owe payment to the court.
  • If you are ultimately found guilty at trial, the court will explain your consequences and any payments owed.

Options for Guilty or No Contest Pleas

• Court Appearance: Come to your schedule court appearance, enter your plea, and have an in-person experience with the Judge who will assess a fine (and court costs set by the State of Texas) or offer alternative options, as applicable.
• If you are an adult and do not wish to come to court in person, you may pay online at this link: https://www.fastgovpay.com/caddomills
  • Note: There is a 3.5% fee for all debit/credit card transactions.
• Compliance Dismissals: For some offenses such as Expired or Invalid License Plate, No Valid Registration, Expired Driver’s License, and many others at this link, the Court may dismiss if certain conditions are met with a nominal reimbursement fee. CLICK here to see the Compliance Dismissal list and options. Note: If you were stopped and were not able to produce evidence of financial responsibility but you were insured to drive that vehicle at that time and day, you can come to Court Clerk’s office and show proof; if validated with the insurance agent, it is dismissed, no fee.
• Other Alternatives - Gaining a Dismissal for Certain Cases: CLICK here to learn more about DSC and Deferral Options
  • REQUESTION A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE FOR CERTAIN TRANSPORTATION CODE OFFENSES: In certain instances, you may be eligible to Request a Driving Safety Course which allows defendants to complete a class in exchange for a dismissal of many traffic-related charges. In addition to completing (and paying for) the course, defendants must be assessed court costs and may be assessed an administrative fee. Only certain charges are eligible for this option and you cannot take more than one course in a 12-month period.
    • Not available for: Offenses committed in a construction work maintenance zone when workers are present (Sec. 542.404, T.C.; Art. 45.0511(p)(3), C.C.P.); Traffic offenses committed by a person with a commercial driver’s license at the time of the offense or the time of the DSC request (Art. 45.0511(s), C.C.P.); Passing a school bus (Sec. 545.066, T.C.); Leaving the scene of a collision (Sec. 550.022 or 550.023, T.C.); or Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit or 95 m.p.h. or more (Art. 45.0511(b)(5), C.C.P.)
  • REQUESTING DEFERRED DISPOSITION: Defendants may be eligible to have their charges dismissed by completing a term of probation known as Deferred Disposition. Only the judge can offer Deferred Disposition. In order to gain a dismissal, a defendant must successfully complete any probation conditions during a set period of time, such as avoiding further charges, counseling, substance testing, completing community service, and other conditions. Further, defendants are typically assessed court costs and administrative fees.
    • Applies to all fine-only offenses except: Traffic offenses committed in a construction work maintenance zone when workers present (Sec. 542.404, T.C.; Art. 45.051(f)(1), C.C.P.); A violation of a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle control, other than a parking violation, committed by a person who holds a commercial driver’s license; or held a commercial driver’s license when offense committed (Art. 45.051(f), C.C.P.); or Driving or Operating Watercraft Under the Influence of Alcohol by Minor (DUI) if the minor has two or more prior DUI convictions (Sec. 106.041(f), A.B.C.).