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Melissa Municipal Court

The Melissa Municipal Court includes the Judge, Bailiff, Clerk and Deputy Clerk sharing the same goal:

To Provide Fair and Impartial Justice
to All Who Comes Before the Court.

. is required to view the following:

Melissa Municipal Court Dress and Conduct Code.

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Municpal Court Office is located at:

901 State Highway 121
Melissa, TX 75454-9501
Call (972) 838-2034
Fax (972) 837-2931

PLEAS

You may enter one of three pleas in Municipal Court. Guilty, No Contest or Not Guilty.

Guilty - you admit that you committed the unlawful act and you have no excuse or Defense for your act.

No Contest - you do not contest the charge(s) against you. This plea cannot be Used against you in pending/future civil litigation resulting from your Unlawful act.

Not Guilty - you deny any guilt of the offense and have a defense in your case. Upon entering this plea, you must request either a jury or bench trial (trial before the Judge). Your case will be set for trial and you or your attorney will be notified by letter. You do not have to be represented by an attorney, but it is your responsibility to seek legal advice or services.

PAYMENT OF FINES & PAYMENT PLANS

To pay the fine in full, simply enter a plea of guilty or no contest on the reverse side of the citation and sign where requested. If you are mailing your plea and payment, it must be paid by or postmarked by the court date/due date indicated on the front of the citation above your signature. If you are unable to pay the fine you may request a payment plan. This request is typically made before the Judge and established by the clerk. If you need more than 30 days to pay the balance, the State requires the Court to add an additional $25.00 to the total amount due. You must make the payments as indicated on the payment agreement, failure to do so will result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest.

Method of payments: Cash, money order, personal check, credit card. **(The Court will not accept payment with check if you are paying a warrant) Mail all payments and correspondence to:

Melissa Municipal Court
P.O. Box 369
Melissa, Texas 75454

DEFERRED DISPOSITION

Deferrals are probationary periods ranging from 0-180 days. This time frame is set by the Judge. Deferred can be requested for any violation you wish to keep off of your record. If you complete the probationary period without receiving another similar citation within the State, the violation will not be reported as part of your record. As part of the Judgment, you must pay the full fine and court costs.

To make a request for deferred:

1. Check last box under A "no contest request deferred",
2. sign the back of the citation, and
3. pay full fine.

After the Court receives your plea, request, and payment, the Judge will review your case and the Clerk will notify you of the status of your case.

DRIVER'S SAFETY COURSE

A driver's safety course is a 6-8 hour course that can be taken in a class session, via internet, or home video. If the fee of $95.00 is paid and the course is taken within the mandated time frame, the Court will not report the violation as part of your driving record once the Court receives the certificate of completion. In order to be eligible for a driver's safety course, defendants should not have completed the course within the past 12 months, not currently taking the Course, not going over 25 MPH over the post speed limit, must have a valid Texas driver's license and proof of insurance, not a Commercial driver's license.

To make a request for a driver's safety course:

1. refer to the back of the citation and enter a plea of guilty or no contest "request driver's safety course",
2. sign the back of the citation,
3. also provide the Court with a copy of Driver's License and proof of insurance and
4. pay the $95.00 fee.

You have 90 days to complete the course and turn in the certificate once the Court has received your plea, documentation and payment. The certificate is the only evidence that you completed and passed the Course, so it is important that you forward the certificate as soon as you receive it.

Until final disposition of your case, please notify the Court if your address, phone number, or place of employment changes.

JUVENILES

If a Defendant is 16 years of age or younger and was issued a traffic citation, or 17 years of age or younger and was issued an alcohol or tobacco citation, the Defendant’s parent/guardian will be required to appear in court before the Municipal Judge with the juvenile. Appropriate attire is required in the courtroom. No shorts, miniskirts, hats, t-shirts, or tank tops of any kind are permitted.

A child and parent required to appear before the Court have an obligation to provide the Court in writing with the current address and residence of the child. The obligation does not end when the child reaches age 17. Within one week of changing residence, the child or parent shall notify the Court of the new address. A violation of this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor and may result in arrest. The obligation to provide notice terminates on discharge and satisfaction of the judgment or final disposition not requiring a finding of guilt.

CONTINUANCES

The Court will allow only one continuance. Your request must be made prior to 1:00 P.M. on the scheduled Court date. There is a $15.00 reset fee that will be added to your balance if you are granted a continuance. The clerk will inform you of the next available Court date.

Judge David P. Moore

Zelia Alvarez, Sr. Court Clerk

Sherri Foley, Deputy Court Clerk