This option is for moving, traffic violations. To qualify, you must enter a plea and make a request for this option by your first court date found on your ticket. You must make the request in writing or in person and prove the following:
To Qualify
- Be on time, which is your first court date
- Not have taken the course in the past 12 months for ticket dismissal
- Not currently taking the class for ticket dismissal
- Hold a regular, non-CDL, Texas License or be active military/dependent
- Able to pay your court costs by your court date
- Not committing one of the following:
- Leave the scene of an accident
- Fail to give information at the scene of the accident
- Fleeing
- Reckless driving
- Passing a school bus
- An offense in a construction zone with workers present
- Exceeding the speed limit by 25mph or greater
To Request this Option
- Meet the requirements above
- Enter a plea of no contest or guilty
- Make a written request or request in-person
- Present valid Texas driver’s license, unless active military or dependent
- Present proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance)
- Pay court costs and a non-refundable administrative fee
- Swear or affirm that you are not currently taking a driving safety course, including one that is not yet reflected on your driving record (see Affidavit)
To Successfully Complete this Option
You will have 90 days to turn in the following items.
- Your certificate of a state-approved driver’s safety course is approved for the dismissal of a ticket. This does not include courses taken for insurance only, or courses taken to obtain a driver’s license in Texas.
- Your Certified Texas Driver’s License. This is a “3A” record in Texas. You may obtain one from the Texas Department of Public Safety website.
- You are responsible for making sure your certificate and record are turned in within your 90-day period of time. Extensions are usually not given. If a conviction is entered, you will owe the balance and warrants can be issued for not paying the balance or working to resolve this issue with the court on time.
To Qualify
- This option must be approved directly by the Judge of the Court.
- Approval results in an order for a time frame wherein a defendant agrees not to re-offend and agrees to meet conditions set by the Judge. If all conditions are met, the result is a dismissal of the citation from the person’s conviction history.
- The Judge will look at a variety of factors in considering this request, such as truthfulness, statements by the parties, the nature of the offense, timeliness, and any other relevant factor.
- The Judge may order payment of your citation or need-based community service and may also require that a class be taken along with other steps that demonstrate your ability to avoid re-offending in the future.
To Request this Option
All requests must be in writing or in person at the time a plea is entered. (Deferred Request Form). A financial affidavit should be turned in at that time unless payment is made in full. (Financial Form). A request for this option, made at a later date is not timely and will be denied.
To Successfully Complete this Option
- Once an order is approved, the person making the request must sign the order before final approval will be given. This document must be returned to the court by the court date given.
- The order must be followed and all conditions for dismissal must be met by the court dates given in the order.
- If payments, classes, or certificates of completion are required as a condition, it is the duty of the person subject to the order to turn in all compliance items on time and verify that they are received. Failure to do so could result in a conviction and a warrant being issued.
- The case will be reviewed by the Judge for compliance at several points during the time of the order. You may not re-offend during the deferral period.
- If you fully complete your deferral and prove all items required, the Judge will sign a dismissal in your case.
Some cases can be dismissed through proof of compliance with the law.
To Qualify
- You must be “on time”
- You must qualify for dismissal under the law
- You must provide proof of compliance by your court date
- Examples of cases that may have this option include; expired registration, expired license, and several equipment violations. Insurance acquired after the fact will not qualify in most cases. You may ask the court if your case qualifies for this type of dismissal.
To Request this Option
- You may make a request in writing
- You must provide proof of compliance
- Your proof of compliance must be on-time
To Successfully Complete this Option
- Your proof must be on-time and must bring the eligible offense up to date under the law
This is a program for young people who are enrolled in high school or the equivalent. Successful completion of a Teen Court program keeps the item off the person’s record while addressing the underlying reason that the person was brought to court. Teen Court is a successful way for a young person to learn to not re-offend while keeping a clear record. For more information, go to Juveniles and Teen Court.
Persons pleading “Not Guilty” are ultimately requesting a trial. See Rights, Duties, and Trials.
