Failure to Appear on Your Court Date

 

If you fail to take care of your citation prior to the appearance date on the citation, or fail to appear in court as required, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. You may also be charged with an additional offense for violating your promise to appear. The issuance of a warrant carries additional fees, and the punishment for the offense of "violate promise to appear" is a fine of not more than $200.00. Tex. Transportation Code §543.009

If you fail to appear after posting bail, you may be charged with the offense of "failure to appear." The punishment for "failure to appear" is a fine not to exceed $500.00. Tex. Penal Code §38.10

Denial of Renewal of Driver's License: If you fail to appear in court as required, the court may notify the Department of Public Safety to deny the renewal of your driver's license. You will be required to pay an administrative fee of $30 prior to the renewal of your license. This fee is required by Section 706.006 of the Texas Transportation Code.

If a warrant is issued, you may avoid arrest by:

Posting Bail at the Justice Court:

You may post bail at the Justice Court in which your case is filed. Bail may be in the form of a Surety Bond or a Cash Bond. If you are posting a cash bond, you must tender cash in the form of a cashier's check or money order, payable to the Justice of the Peace, in the amount of the bail.

A magistrate must consider allowing you a personal bond.

When you have posted bail, you will be notified of the date and time you are to appear in court.

Paying the Fine at the Court:

You may pay the acceptable fine either (i) in person at the Justice Court in which your case is filed or (ii) by mailing the fine to the Justice Court. Fines may be paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Justice of the Peace.

Fines may also be paid in cash or by credit card at the office of the Justice of the Peace.

If you pay the fine, no further court appearance is necessary.

You will remain subject to arrest until you post bail or otherwise dispose of your case.

If you are arrested, you will be required to give bail to secure your release from custody and appear in court at a later time to answer for this charge.