Justices of the Peace

Criminal Offenses Other Than Traffic Tickets

Criminal Jurisdiction

Justices of the Peace have original jurisdiction in criminal cases punishable by fine only, or punishable by fine and a sanction not consisting of confinement.

Criminal procedures of cases that are within the criminal jurisdiction of the Bandera County Justice Courts are found in Chapter 45 of the Code of Criminal Procedures.

The Rules of Evidence governing the trials of criminal cases in the District and County Courts apply to a criminal proceeding in Justice Courts.

Filing Criminal Complaints

A peace officer who is charging a person with committing an offense that is a Class C Misdemeanor or Fine Only offense may, instead of taking the person before a magistrate, issue a citation that contains written notice of the offense charged and of the time and place the person must appear before a magistrate.

A criminal proceeding in Justice Court may be commenced by the filing of a written notice or complaint in the Justice of the Peace precinct in which the offense was committed or in which the accused resides.

Responding to Criminal Complaints

Rights of Defendant

If you are accused of an offense within the jurisdiction of the Justice Court, you have certain rights.

  • You have a right to see the complaint or citation that has been filed with the court.
  • You have a right to a trial by jury, but you may waive the right to a trial by jury and be tried before the Judge of the Court.
  • You have a right to be represented by an attorney of your choice. You are not required to be represented by an attorney. An attorney may make an appearance on your behalf.
  • You have the right to remain silent and not to give evidence against yourself. You may waive this right and discuss your case with a prosecutor in an effort to dispose of your case without trial.

Assault

If you are convicted of “assault” by threatening another with imminent bodily injury, or “assault” by causing offensive or provocative physical contact with another, and the person assaulted is a member of your family or household, or against an individual with whom you have or had a dating relationship, you are notified that it is unlawful for you to possess or transfer firearms or ammunition.

Offenses Involving Violence

If you are convicted of a misdemeanor offense involving violence where you are or where a spouse, intimate partner, parent, or guardian of the victim are or were involved in another, similar relationship with the victim, it may be unlawful for you to possess or purchase a firearm, including a handgun or long gun, or ammunition, pursuant to federal law under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) (9) or Section 46.049(b), Texas Penal Code. If you have any questions whether these laws make it illegal for you to possess or purchase a firearm, you should consult an attorney.

First Appearance in Court

At the time of your first appearance, you will be identified as the defendant, and will be asked how you plead to the offense with which you are charged.

Pleas are “not guilty,” “guilty,” or “nolo-contendere (no contest).”

  • If you plead not guilty, your case will be set for trial. You may have a jury or waive your right to a trial by jury and have the case heard by the Judge. You may be required to attend a pre-trial conference.
  • If you refuse to enter a plea, the court will enter a plea of not guilty for you and your case will be set for a jury trial unless you waive that right.
  • If you plead guilty or nolo-contendere (no contest), the court will find you guilty and assess a fine as punishment. A plea of no contest has the same result of a plea of guilty, but it may be used against you in any civil proceeding that might arise from the incident leading to your arrest.
  • If you are pleading guilty or nolo-contendere (no contest), you may present any evidence or documents to the court in connection with the offense and may explain any mitigating circumstances that may affect punishment.
  • If you are unsure about how to plead, do not hesitate to enter a plea of not guilty and consult an attorney.

The court may be required to provide you certain notices, and it is your responsibility to notify the court of any change of address. It is not a defense you did not receive the notices sent by the court.

Alternatives to Payment of Fines and Costs

A defendant who is convicted of a criminal offense punishable by fine only is entitled to alternative methods of satisfying the judgment against them if they are unable to pay the fine or costs, in whole or in part.

Those alternative methods include:

  • A payment plan, allowing the defendant to make payments toward the fine and costs in designated intervals. Note that if any amount is paid more than 30 days after the judgment assessing the fine or costs then a $25 time payment fee must be assessed.
  • Disposition of the amount assessed by performing community service. There are many options that meet the requirements of the law for community service, see Art. 45.049 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for full details. A defendant is entitled to a minimum of $100 credit for every 8 hours of community service performed.
  • If performing community service imposes an undue hardship, a defendant who is indigent or who lacks sufficient resources to pay is entitled to a waiver of the fine and costs, in whole or in part.

Criminal Indigency Affidavit - Use this form if you are unable to afford to pay fines and costs in a criminal case.

Subpoena

At your request, the court will subpoena a witness on your behalf, but you must furnish the court with the name, address, and telephone number of each witness prior to trial.

If You do not Want to Appear in Court

Pay the Acceptable Fine in Person, by Mail, or Online

If you do not want to appear in court, you have the option of paying your fine by mail, by paying in person at the Justice Court as directed on your citation, summons, or notice or paying online at the link listed below. Before the time you must appear in Court, you may pay by mail, or bring to the court a Plea form-Guilty or Nolo-Contendere (No Contest) together with your payment of the acceptable fine and court costs for the offense with which you are charged if you are seventeen (17) years of age or older.

The acceptable fine amount will include the court cost for the offense with which you are charged. If you are paying by mail, you must pay by cashier’s check or money order, payable to the Bandera County Justice Court. If you are paying in person, you may pay your fine in cash, by cashier’s check or money order, or with a credit or debit card. If you want to pay with a credit card or debit card at the Justice Court Office or online, the court does accept this method of payment. However, the court cannot accept credit card payments for the following:

  • Cash Bonds
  • Appeal Bonds
  • Payment by Mail

Payment of the acceptable fine and court costs constitutes a finding of guilty in open court as though you had entered a plea of no contest.

You must contact the court at 830-751-3535 to obtain the case number and the amount of the fine and costs due prior to paying online.

Juveniles (someone under the age of 17 at the time the offense was committed) charged with a crime or issued a traffic citation, cannot pay online or by mail.

To pay online with a credit or debit card go to:

or call 1-800-300-8007

Enter a Plea of Not Guilty by Mail

Before the time you must appear in court, you may mail or bring to the court a Plea of Not Guilty. You may be required to post a personal bond. The personal bond is your assurance you will appear at all proceedings and hearings as required by the court. You will NOT have to pay any monies with the personal bond, only your signature to ensure you will appear at all required proceedings. You may be requested to appear for a pretrial hearing. The court will set your case for a jury trial. If you notify the court that you waive your right to a jury trial, your case will be set for trial before a Judge.

Dismissal by Suspension of Sentence & Deferral of Final Disposition

At your request, the court may consider allowing you a suspended sentence and deferral of final disposition or “deferred disposition.” You must plead guilty or nolo-contendere (no contest) and pay an administrative fee and complete any court ordered requirements.

Under this procedure, the court will assess an administrative fee, but will defer further proceedings and place you on probation for up to 180 days. During the probation period the court may require you to:

  • Commit no other offenses during the deferral period;
  • Post a bond in the amount of the fine assessed to secure payment of the fine;
  • Pay restitution to the victim of the offense;
  • Submit to professional counseling;
  • Submit to diagnostic testing for alcohol or drugs;
  • Submit to a psychosocial assessment;
  • Participate in alcohol or drug abuse treatment program;
  • Pay the cost of the testing, assessment, treatment, or education program;
  • Complete a course as directed by the Judge or;
  • Comply with any other reasonable condition.

 

You may be required to pay a special expense fee in an amount not to exceed the amount of the maximum fine for the offense committed.

You will be required to present to the court satisfactory evidence that you have complied with each requirement imposed.

When the court determines that you have complied with the requirements imposed, your case will be dismissed.

If you fail to present satisfactory evidence that you have complied with the requirements, the court will impose the fine assessed and you will be required to pay that fine. If you paid a special expense, that amount will be credited toward the payment of the amount of the fine imposed. The imposition of the fine constitutes a final conviction.

Juveniles Charged with Criminal Offense

Appearance in Court Required

If you are sixteen (16) years of age or younger, the law requires that you appear in court with parent, guardian, or managing conservator. A person sixteen (16) years of age or younger cannot pay the fine by mail or in person without a parent, guardian, or managing conservator before the appearance date.

Juveniles (someone under the age of 17 at the time the offense was committed) charged with a crime or issued a traffic citation, cannot pay online or by mail.

Parent Must Appear with Juveniles

The court is required to take the plea of a person sixteen (16) years of age or younger in open court and will issue a summons to compel the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or managing conservator to be present.

Failure of the parent to appear as required by the summons is an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 and may result in the arrest of the parent.

Obligation to Provide Current Address

A juvenile and the juvenile’s parent have an obligation to provide the court with the current address and residence of the juvenile. This obligation does not end when the juvenile reaches seventeen (17) years of age, but continues until the case is concluded and any judgment is fully satisfied. Notice of a new address must be given to the court, in writing, on or before the seventh (7th) day after the date the juvenile or juvenile’s parent changes residence.

Failure to notify the court of the current address is an offense punishable by fine not to exceed $500.00.

When Juvenile Becomes an Adult

If a juvenile charged with an offense filed in the Justice Court fails to appear in court as required, the court will issue a warning to the juvenile when the juvenile reaches seventeen (17) years of age. The notice will warn the individual of continuing obligation to appear to conclude the case. The notice will further warn that the failure to appear as required by notice is a criminal offense punishable by fine not to exceed $500.00 and will result in the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Expunction of Certain Conviction Records of Juveniles

A person convicted of not more than one offense punishable by fine only, committed when the person was a juvenile, is entitled to request that the record of that conviction be expunged. The request must be made on or after the person’s seventeenth (17th) birthday. The fee of filing an Application for Expunction is $30.00, plus fees for postage for notices of hearing and orders of expunction, if issued.

There are specific provisions for expunction of offenses relating to the possession and consumption of alcohol, the possession of cigarettes and tobacco products and for failure to attend school.

Convictions Relating to Alcohol

Any person convicted of not more than one offense related to the purchase, consumption, or possession of alcohol while a minor, or driving under the influence of alcohol by a minor, or misrepresenting age, on attaining the age of 21 years, may apply to the court in which the individual was convicted to have the conviction expunged. If the court finds that the applicant was not convicted in any other violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Code while the individual was a minor, the court will order the records relating to the offense to be expunged and the conviction may not be shown or made known for any purpose.

Convictions Relating to Cigarettes and Tobacco Products

An individual convicted of the possession, purchase, consumption, or receipt of cigarettes or tobacco by minor, may apply to the court to have the convictions expunged. If the court finds that the individual satisfactorily completed the tobacco awareness program or tobacco-related community service ordered by the court, the court will order the records relating to the offense to be expunged and the convictions may not be shown or made known for any purpose.

Convictions Relating to Truancy

Under Article 45.0541, Code of Criminal Procedures, an individual who has been convicted of a truancy offense or has had a complaint for a truancy offense dismissed is entitled to have the conviction or complaint and records relating to the conviction or complaint expunged. Regardless of whether the individual has filed a petition for expunction, the court in which the individual was convicted or a complaint for a truancy offense was filed shall order the conviction, complaints, verdicts, sentences, and other documents relating to the offense, including any documents in the possession of a school district or law enforcement agency, to be expunged from the individual’s record. After entry of the order, the individual is released from all disabilities resulting from the conviction or complaint, and the conviction or complaint may not be shown or made known for any purpose.

Convictions

If you plead guilty or nolo-contendere (no contest), or if you are found guilty after trial, you will be assessed a fine as your punishment. You will also be responsible for court costs. Full payment of the fine and cost will satisfy your obligation in connection with the charge filed against you.

Time to Pay the Fine and Costs

If you must make payment arrangements for more time to pay your fine and costs, you will need to make that request to the court. You should be aware that the court is required to impose an additional Time Payment Fee of $25.00 if the fine and cost are not paid in full before the expiration of 30 days. This fee is required by Article 103.033 of the Local Government Code.

Failure to Pay Fine and Costs

  • Collection fee: If the fine and costs are more than sixty (60) days past due, the court may refer your case to a private attorney or vendor for collection services. This fee is allowed under Article 103.0331 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
  • Issuance of Capias Pro Fine: If you fail to pay the fine and costs as directed, the court may issue a capias pro fine warrant commanding a peace officer to bring you before the court or place you in jail until you can be brought before the court. You will be required to pay additional fees in connection with the issuance of the capias pro fine and your release. These fees are required by Article 102.011 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
  • Confinement in Jail to Discharge Fine and Costs: If you intentionally fail to make good faith effort to discharge the judgment, you may be committed to the Bandera County Jail until the judgment is discharged by serving a sufficient length of time to satisfy the fine and costs owed.
  • Denial of Renewal of Driver’s License: If you fail to pay the fine and costs as directed, the court may notify the Department of Public Safety to deny the renewal of your driver’s license. You will be required to pay an administrative fee of $30.00 prior to the renewal of your license. This fee is required by Section 706.006 of the Texas Transportation Code.

Failure to Appear on your Court Date

If you fail to take care of your citation prior to the appearance date on the citation, or fail to appear in court as required, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. You may be also charged with an additional offense of violating your promise to appear or failure to appear. The issuance of a warrant for Violate Promise to Appear carries additional fines and costs, and the punishment is a fine not more than $200.00 plus court costs. Failure to Appear is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs.

Denial of Renewal of Driver’s License: If you fail to appear in court as required, the court may notify the Department of Public Safety to deny the renewal of your driver’s license. You will be required to pay an administrative fee of $30.00 prior to the renewal of your license. This fee is required by Section 706.006 of the Texas Transportation Code.

If a Warrant is issued, you may avoid arrest by:

Posting bail at the Justice Court in which your case is filed. Bail may be in the form of a surety bond or a cash bond. If you are posting a cash bond, you must tender cash in the form of a cashier’s check or money order, payable to the Justice of the Peace, in the amount of the bail.

A magistrate may consider allowing you a personal bond or a surety bond.

When you have posted the bail, you will be notified of the place, date, and time you are to appear in Court.

Paying the Fine at the Court:

  • You may pay the acceptable fine either (1) in person at the Justice Court in which your case is filed or (2) by mailing the fine to the Justice Court. Fines may be paid by cashier’s check or money order payable to the Justice of the Peace.
  • Fines may also be paid in cash at the office of the Justice of the Peace.
  • If you pay the fine, no further court appearance is necessary.
  • You will remain subject to arrest until you post bail or otherwise dispose of your case.
  • If you are arrested, you will be required to give bail to secure your release from custody and appear in court at a later time to answer the charges against you.

New Trial and Appeal

New Trial

A motion for a new trial must be made within five (5) days after the rendition of the judgment. A motion for new trial cannot be made afterwards. If you enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) at the time of magistration at the jail, you will have ten (10) days to make a motion for new trial.

The Judge has ten (10) days after the date of the judgment was entered within which to grant a new trial. If a motion for new trial is not granted before the eleventh (11th) day after the date of the judgment was entered, the motion for new trial is considered denied.

Information on Alternatives to Payment of Fine and Costs - This form explains what the alternatives to payment of fines and costs in criminal cases are, such as community service.

Appeal

An appeal from judgment of a Bandera County Justice Court is heard by the Bandera County Court.

An appeal is perfected by filing an Appeal Bond in the amount of two times the amount of the fine and costs. The bond is filed with the Justice Court in which the case was filed, and must be filed not later than the tenth (10th) day after the date of the judgment was entered. When an appeal bond has been timely filed, all proceedings in the Justice Court will cease.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this web site is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or correctness of any information contained on this web page. Every legal problem has a unique set of facts and circumstances behind it. Persons seeking legal advice should contact their own attorney for that advice and should not rely on anything presented herein.