Taking Care of Tickets During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Texas Supreme Court has issued several orders mandating courts to operate only in a manner which protects the health and safety of all parties having business with the Court. Although the Justice Courts will be open during this time, all individuals are encouraged to resolve citations for violations remotely. The Courts offer several options to take care of your citations remotely.

ONLINE PAYMENT

You may pay your citations without the necessity of appearing in Court by paying online. Understand that in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 27.14 (c), payment will result in a waiver of a jury trial and a finding of guilty, which may be reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Please allow one (1) to three (3) business days for your payment to be processed. Warrants will be recalled the next business day. Please keep your receipt for proof of payment.

Pay online through the Payment Portal.


REQUESTING DEFERRED ADJUDICATION (DEFERRED DISPOSITION/PROBATION)

Only certain types cases are eligible for deferred adjudication, and if you have a commercial driver license, you are generally not eligible. In order to submit your case for review by the Judge, you must enter a Plea of “Guilty” or “Nolo Contendere (No Contest).” By entering a plea and submitting your case for review by the Judge, you acknowledge that you are waiving your right to a jury trial. In order to have the Judge review your request for deferred adjudication, please click on the link below (you may also submit your request in writing by regular mail) and include the following information in your request:

  1. Name, Address, telephone number and e-mail address
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Driver License Number
  4. Charges (example: speeding, no insurance, expired registration, etc.)
  5. Plea (Guilty or No Contest)
  6. A statement as to your ability to pay – tell the Court if you believe you are indigent.

To determine which precinct to submit your request to, please check your citation.

REQUESTS FOR a DRIVING Safety Course

Only certain types of violations are eligible for a Driving Safety Course. To be eligible for a Driving Safety Course:

  1. You may not have taken a Driving Safety Course during the last 12 months, 
  2. You cannot have a commercial driver license, 
  3. You must have a valid Texas driver license (unless you are active duty military), and 
  4. You must have valid liability insurance in your name. 
  5. If the offense is for Speeding, you cannot have been going 25 miles or more over the posted speed limit.

If you wish to submit your case for review by the Judge, you must enter a Plea of “Guilty” or “Nolo Contendere (No Contest).” By entering a plea and submitting your case for review by the Judge, you acknowledge that you are waiving your right to a jury trial. To have the Judge review your request for a Driving Safety Course, please click on the link below (you may also submit your request in writing by regular mail) and include the following information in your request along with proof of items one (1) through four (4) described above:

  1. Name, Address, telephone number and e-mail address
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Driver License Number
  4. Charges (example: speeding, no insurance, expired registration, etc.)
  5. Plea (Guilty or No Contest)
  6. A statement made to the Court under penalty of perjury that you have not taken a Driving Safety Course in the last 12 months
  7. A statement as to your ability to pay – tell the Court if you believe you are indigent.

To determine which precinct to submit your request to, please check your citation.

SUBMIT YOUR CASE FOR REVIEW TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

If you wish to plead “Not Guilty,” you may submit your case for review by an Assistant District Attorney (ADA). An ADA will review your case and decide how to proceed on your case. In order to have an ADA review your case, please click on the link below (you may also submit your request in writing by regular mail) and include the following information in your request:

  1. Name, Address, telephone number and e-mail address
  2. Date of birth
  3. Driver License Number
  4. Charges (example: speeding, no insurance, expired registration, etc.)
  5. Plea (Not Guilty)
  6. A brief statement explaining your plea of “not guilty” (why you believe you are not guilty of the charged offense).
  7. A statement as to your ability to pay – tell the Court if you believe you are indigent.
  8. Choose whether to have your case heard and decided by a Jury or by the Judge.

To determine which precinct to submit your request to, please check your citation.

Request for a Remote Hearing (Virtual Hearing) - not for filing original petitions

During the Pandemic, the Justice Courts have been conducting (and will continue to conduct) Court proceedings remotely (virtual court). This can be done by phone or by video conference. If you have already seen the Judge on a ticket, or if both parties agree to appear remotely and you wish to request a remote court proceeding, you may do so. The following types of matters may be resolved remotely:

  1. Show Cause hearings for failure to comply with Deferred Disposition or Defensive Driving,
  2. Outstanding Warrants,
  3. Essential Matters,
  4. Civil Matters where both parties have agreed to appear remotely,
  5. Requests for Occupational Driver’s License, and
  6. Any other matter requested to be heard remotely which may be approved by the Judge.

The Justice Courts have been using the Zoom platform for conducting remote proceedings. You may appear for a Zoom hearing either by video or by telephone. To appear by video on Zoom, you must have an electronic device with internet connectivity and video and sound capability, such as iPhone, Android, tablets, laptops and home computers. To run a test on the Zoom platform, go to this website: https://zoom.us/test.

To request a remote court hearing, please select the link below and include the following information (PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SECTION TO SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL PETITION):

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Telephone number and alternate number
  4. Email address
  5. Case Number
  6. Brief description of the request to be heard
  7. If the hearing involves a civil matter to which both parties have agreed, provide the contact information of the other party.
  8. Attach any documents or other evidence you would like the Court consider at the hearing (make sure documents are provided to the other party if applicable).

To determine which precinct to submit your request to, please check your citation.

OFFENSES INVOLVING MINORS

Cases involving juveniles are not eligible for disposition online. Matters involving juveniles as defined by certain offenses may include defendants who are under the age of 21. For these types of offenses, please contact the precinct court listed on the citation by calling, emailing, or by regular mail.

  1. Precinct 1

    Email JP1

    Mailing Address
    3505 Pleasanton Rd.
    San Antonio, TX 78221

    Phone: 210-335-4500

  1. Precinct 2

    Email JP2

    Mailing Address
    7723 Guilbeau Rd
    Suite 105
    San Antonio, TX 78250

    Phone: 210-335-4800

  1. Precinct 3

    Email JP3

    Mailing Address
    320 Interpark Blvd.
    San Antonio, TX 78216

    Phone: 210-335-4700

  1. Precinct 4

    Email JP4

    Mailing Address
    2711 S.E. Loop 410 South
    San Antonio, TX 78222

    Phone: 210-335-4900

ADMINISTRATIVE DISMISSALS

Certain violations, such as Driving without a License, No Insurance, No Vehicle Registration, No Hunting/Fishing License, No Hunter’s Education Course, and other similar types of violations, may possibly be dismissed either with or without payment of a statutorily required administrative fee by submitted proof of the documentation in effect on the date of the offense. If you wish to submit your proof for review by the Judge for possible dismissal, please submit your request along with the following information and your proof of compliance:

  1. Name, Address, telephone number and e-mail address
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Driver License Number
  4. Charges (example: speeding no insurance, expired registration, etc.)
  5. Plea (Guilty or No Contest)
  6. A statement as to your ability to pay - tell the Court if you believe you are indigent.

To determine which precinct to submit your request to, please check your citation.