Court & Detention Services - Court Programs

Municipal Courts will be closed May 25 and 27, 2013.

Full citation payments are accepted at the City Detention Center at 1600 Chestnut. Open 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

Pretrial

         Pretrial (Video, Note: may take time to download)

• Pro se (not represented by an attorney) defendants will first be asked if they wish to set the case for a trial or discuss the case with the prosecutor for a possible resolution.
• If the pro se defendant is adamant that he/she wants a trial, the clerk shall set the case for pretrial; otherwise the clerk shall refer the pro se defendant to Proof or Plea Court.
• If the case is not resolved at Proof or Plea, the case will be set for pretrial.
• At pretrial, the pro se defendant will be informed, via a video presentation, of his/her options to resolve a case.
• If the case is not resolved at the pretrial hearing, a trial (jury or before the court) date will be set and placed on a docket.
• For cases involving an attorney, this process includes an additional pretrial step that ensures the defendant is present when entering his/her plea.

Proof or Plea Court

Proof or Plea Court (Video, 69.6 MB, Note: may take time to download)

The Proof or Plea Court will be open and accessible to the public Monday – Thursday, 8:30 AM -10:45 AM and 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM, and Saturday 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM. This court is available to any person with a copy of their citation, who wishes to take care of their citation(s) within the first 21 days after receiving the citation and wants to:

(1) plead only guilty or no contest to the case and pay the fine through a straight plea, request deferred disposition, driver’s safety course, a payment plan, or community service or work release; or

(2) show compliance or "proof" on the case by presenting a valid Texas driver's license, proof of insurance or financial responsibility, renewed or valid inspection sticker, or renewed or valid registration.

(3) or plead not guilty and request a court date

Trial Court Date and Time

To set a Court Date, persons must be within 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of the citation.

Trial dates can be requested

• in person at the Proof or Plea court at 2014 Main St., Monday – Thursday, 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM and 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM, and Saturday 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM. You will need to enter at 106 Harwood.
• or by mail (postmark on mail request, must be within first 21 days of issuance of citation). If possible please send via certified mail.

You cannot request by telephone, fax or Internet.

Saturday Court will not be open on the following dates:

• January 19, 2013
• February 16, 2013
• February 23, 2013
• March 30, 2013
• May 25, 2013
• August 31, 2013
• November 30, 2013

Local Rules for the City of Dallas Municipal Court

Payment Plan

For information on payment plan agreements, you may contact or visit the Department of Court and Detention Services, Municipal Building, at 2014 Main Street, 1st Floor, (214) 670-0109.

To request a payment plan to satisfy payment of a citation (Class C misdemeanor offense), you must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid photo identification and appear in person to complete an application. You will be required to pay 30% down and thereafter make 3 monthly payments to satisfy the entire balance within 90 days. An additional $25.00 fee will be assessed on each citation if the full payment amount of the citation is not received within the first 30 days of the payment contract agreement. Payment can be made at the Customer Service Windows located at Court and Detention Services, Municipal Building, 2014 Main Street, 1st floor.

Work Release/Community Service

For information on work release/community service, contact the Department of Court and Detention Services, Municipal Building, at 2014 Main Street, 1st Floor, (214) 670-0109.

To request work release/community service to satisfy payment of a ticket (Class C Misdemeanor Offense), you must be at least 18 years of age and appear in person with photo identification at the Court and Detention Services, Municipal Building, 2014 Main Street, 1st Floor. If the amount is more than $600.00, you must appear before a Judge to make a request.

Juvenile Court

For court processing purposes, juveniles are 10 through 16 years of age (at the time of issuance of citation), except for tobacco violations which are defined as those persons under the age of 18. Alcohol violations are defined as those persons under the age of 21.

Juveniles cannot pay a citation unless ordered by a Judge. Court dates will be mailed to juveniles 10 through 16 years and parent or guardian. Alcohol and tobacco violators between 17 and 20 years of age cannot pay a citation and must request a court date within 21 days of issuance of citation and appear in court (parent or guardian not required).