Frequently Asked Questions

Not Guilty Plea

The defendant is informing the court that he or she denies guilt or has a defense in the case and that the state must prove what it has charged in the complaint.

If you choose to plea "Not Guilty", you have a right to a jury trial, unless you waive that right and request a trial by judge. By setting your case for trial, you are giving up your right to require that your case be dismissed through a mandatory Driving Safety Course. If you wish to receive a trial, please fill out the electronic form online, complete the Plea of Not Guilty Form (PDF) and appear in person at the City of Victoria Municipal Court. or submit your request by mail. The court will then set you for a Pretrial court date to discuss your case(s) with the prosecutor. If you and the prosecutor do not come to an agreement during the Pretrial conference, you will then proceed to your trial setting.

Guilty

A plea by which a defendant confesses to the crime with which the defendant is charged, or the verdict by which a defendant is convicted.

No Contest/Nolo Contendere

A plea in which the defendant does not contest the charge. Nolo contendere has the same legal effect as a guilty plea; however, it may not be used against the defendant as an admission of guilt in a civil suit based upon or growing out of the act upon which the criminal prosecution is based.

If you choose to plea "Guilty" or "No Contest", you can pay your charge off in full, start a payment plan, or your offense may be eligible for driving safety course or a deferred disposition. Get driving safety course information here and deferred disposition information here.

The cost will vary. View a list of the fines (PDF) here. 

Please note: Not all fines are listed on the chart. For any fine not listed, you may call the Municipal Court for more information at 361-485-3050. You can also check on our online payment system.

We accept cash, money order, cashier's check, and debit or credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, Discovery and American Express. If paying with a debit or credit card, a processing fee will be assessed.

Please note: personal and business checks are not acceptable forms of payment. 

The following forms of picture identification are acceptable for persons conducting business at the customer service windows:

• Government-issued Driver's License or Identification Card 

• Foreign Government-issued Driver's License or Identification

• Military Identification Card or Badge;

• Government Issued Passport; 

• Texas Department of Corrections Parolee Card;

• Concealed Handgun License

Please note: Acceptable forms of identification must be government-issued and include necessary identifying information.

Your citation may be eligible for a payment plan. In The minimum needed to start a new payment plan is $50 and it will be $50 monthly until your charge or charges are paid in full. To make a payment arrangement, you must appear in person at the City of Victoria Municipal Court with proper identification or submit your request by mail.  If you have an active warrant, a payment plan option is no longer available. You would need to appear for an open docket before the judge to discuss various options. Please visit this site for options on how to clear your warrant. 

Please note: Payment arrangements can not be set up over the phone or by someone other than the person who received the citation.

Your ticket may be eligible to dismiss through a Driver’s Safety Course. To find out more information regarding eligibility, please visit the Driving Safety Course Page.

Your citation may be eligible for a Deferred Disposition. Deferred Disposition is an option that will keep your citation from being reported as a conviction on your driving record and will be dismissed if all terms required are successfully met. If any requirements are not met and you cannot provide a satisfactory reason why at a hearing before a judge, you will be found guilty and a conviction will be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

Please note: not all violations are approved for Deferred Disposition. 

Criminal convictions may result in any of the following based on your circumstances: 

• Increased insurance costs or cancellation
• Loss of driver’s license
• Loss of educational opportunities
• Loss of job
• May affect immigration status
• Penalties assessed by the Texas Department of Public Safety

Credit for time served can only be granted by the Judge. If you were recently incarcerated on an offense(s) from the City of Victoria Municipal Court, you will have an arraignment date where you will need to appear in person before the Judge in order for time served to be granted.

City Code violations that are filed with the Municipal Court are class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500 plus court costs and restitution (if applicable).

City Code violations can be issued by a variety of different departments including: 

• Code Enforcement
• Fire Department
• Police Department
• Victoria County Animal Services Officers

In most instances, you will be notified by a summons to appear in court. Failure to appear to make disposition of the charge(s) pending against you will result in a warrant being issued. Get more information regarding City Ordinances here. 

The City of Victoria Municipal Court is a safe harbor court and you will not be arrested for a City of Victoria Class C warrant when appearing for a court docket. For information on how to clear a warrant, please visit the "How to Clear a Warrant" page.   

Municipal Courts in Texas are not required to appoint a court-appointed attorney. You would be able to hire an attorney, or seek assistance from Legal Aid. You may look for an attorney through the State Bar of Texas website or contact the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for more information about Legal Assistance. 

Court costs and fees are required by the State Legislature. The court is required to collect them upon a finding of guilt or plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest).

A jury trial consists of 6 citizens who will determine the outcome of your case based on the evidence set forth by the State (prosecutor). A trial by judge consists of a judge hearing the case and determining the outcome based on the evidence set forth by the State (prosecutor).

You may want to consult an attorney for more information if you have additional questions.

Requirements to Keep a Case off Your Record

• Successfully complete a Driving Safety Course (if eligible)
• Successfully complete a Deferred Disposition, similar to probation (if eligible)
• Have case dismissed by showing appropriate proof of Compliance (if eligible)
• Plea Not Guilty and receive a Not guilty verdict at a trial

Helpful Documents

• Compliance Dismissals Chart (PDF)
• Defenses to Prosecution (PDF)
• Driver’s Safety Course vs Deferred Disposition (PDF)
• Driving Safety Course Affidavit Form (PDF)
• Municipal Court Schedule of Fines (PDF)
  Please note: The fine chart is subject to change and not all fines are listed.
• Handicapped Parking Dismissal Form (PDF)
• Motion for Continuance (PDF)
• Plea Form (PDF)

Helpful Links

• McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, P.C. (MVBA) Collection Agency
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Eligibility
• Texas Department of Public Safety Failure to Appear
• Texas Education Agency Approved Courses
• Texas Approved Minor in Possession of Alcohol Education Course
• Texas Approved Minor in Possession of Tobacco Education Course
• Victoria County

Self-Help Resources

• Texas Law Help
• Texas Court Help
• Finding An Attorney
• Texas Law Libraries
• Texas Statutes
• Legislative Process

View a helpful page of resources that we have compiled to assist individuals in resolving parking and traffic ticket related issues.