Make a Plea

After you are issued a traffic citation, you must enter a plea by the tenth (10) day promise to appear, you signed, located at the bottom of your citation. Allow three (3) working days to process your citation before appearing in person. You have three options. You may enter a plea of:

1. Nolo Contendere (No Contest) 
2. Guilty 
3. Not Guilty

for each violation shown on your ticket.

Please note: Only the person who received the ticket can sign the plea form. You can make your plea either in person or by mail. The judge can not hear any evidence until after your plea is made. If you plea Not Guilty the judge cannot hear your evidence until your trial.

Nolo Contendere (No Contest)

A plea of nolo contendere means that you do not contest the charges filed against you and you are waiving your right to a trial by judge or jury. When you enter a "No Contest" plea, you must pay the fine specified for the violation. Either bring or mail the fine payment to the Court.

Guilty

By entering a plea of guilty, you admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and you are waiving your right to a trial by judge or jury. When you plead guilty to a violation, you must pay the fine specified for the violation. Either bring or mail the fine payment to the Court.

Not Guilty

A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the Court that you are not guilty of the offense in which you were accused. You must plead not guilty by the promise to appear date, twelve days from the date the citation was issued. Upon receipt of your plea, your case will be heard at the next trial date. You will be scheduled for a trial by judge or jury. When entering a plea of Not Guilty please inform the court whether you want a trial by judge or jury. The judge can not hear any evidence you may offer until the trial has started.

What Happens If I Do Not Make a Plea or Ignore My Ticket?

If you fail to make a plea for each violation shown on your ticket, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You may also be entered into the DPS Failure To Appear Program in which you will not be able to renew your drivers license until you have resolved your outstanding issues with the court.

DPS Failure to Appear Drivers License Program

If you fail to make a plea or fail to pay your court costs and fines, the court may enter you into the Failure To Appear Program. Once you are entered into the FTA database in Austin, you will not be able to renew your Drivers License until you have resolved your outstanding issues with the court.

Note: You will not be arrested if you come to Court to resolve a warrant!