Municipal Court FAQs

Generally, all moving violations will appear on your driving record along with Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility and No Driver's License offenses. You my be eligible to take a driver safety course to keep a moving violation off your driving record.

You may be eligible to request a driver safety course for certain traffic offenses if you meet the requirements under Texas law and make your request by the deadline. Driver safety course is not available for all offenses or all drivers. Contact the Municipal Court before your due date to ask about eligibility and how to make a request.

Deferred disposition is a type of probation that may be available for some citations. If the Judge grants deferred disposition and you satisfy the terms set by the Court, your case may be dismissed as allowed by law. Deferred disposition is not available in every case. To see if this might be an option for you, contact the Municipal Court before your due date.

You can pay online.

You may pay with:

• Cash ( Please do not mail cash payments)
• Cashier's Check
• Money Order
• Personal Check
• Debit/Credit Cards (Card must be in your name)

You may mail in a money order, personal check, or cashier's check for payment of your citation. Make the money order payable to the City of Hamilton. Clearly indicate name, mailing address (including city, state, and zip code) and the case or citation number on the payment. Include your copy of the citation with the payment. A handwritten plea that includes a signature and date is acceptable, along with a copy of the defendant's driver's license or state issued identification card. 

A payment received through the mail without a plea or other indicator will be recorded as a plea of no contest. Your payment must be postmarked by your appearance date noted on the citation. You may also pay your payment in person Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Municipal Court's address is:
200 E Main Street
Hamilton, TX 76531

court@cityhamiltontx.gov

 254-386-8116, ext. 3

If you are not able to pay the full amount of your fine and costs, contact the Municipal Court before your due date. Depending on your situation and the law, the Court may be able to discuss payment options or other ways allowed by law to resolve what you owe. It is important that you contact the Court rather than ignoring your citation.

Some citations can be handled by mail or online payment, but others require you to appear in person. Your citation or a notice from the Court will tell you if a personal appearance is required. If you are not sure, please contact the Municipal Court before your due date.

No, to reset your Court date you must submit a request in writing.

If you miss your court or appearance date, additional fees or other consequences allowed by law may occur, and a warrant may be issued. Contact the Municipal Court as soon as possible to find out what steps you need to take to address your case.

Citations given by a Texas State Trooper or a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Officer are usually filed in a different court, not the Hamilton Municipal Court. Do not pay these citations through the City of Hamilton’s online payment page. Check the court information printed on your citation, or call (254) 386-1221 if you are unsure where to take care of your citation.

For most Class C misdemeanor citations, Texas law requires juveniles under 17 years of age to appear in open court with a parent or legal guardian. Do not pay a juvenile citation online unless you have been told to do so by the Court. Please contact the Municipal Court for instructions if your child has received a citation.

The Municipal Court can only talk to you about the cases filed against you in Hamilton Municipal Court. To find out about other charges, you must contact the court of jurisdiction in each specific case.

When emailing the Municipal Court, please allow up to 24 business hours for a response. Emails are handled in the order in which they are received. If your matter is urgent or close to a due date, you may wish to call the Court during business hours instead of relying only on email.

If you need a language interpreter, sign-language interpreter, or an accommodation for a disability to take part in court, please contact the Municipal Court as soon as possible before your scheduled date. The Court will review your request and let you know what arrangements can be made.

Court staff can explain court procedures and answer general questions about your case, but they cannot give legal advice or tell you what you should do. If you need legal advice, you should speak with an attorney.