Citation

Citation

Rhome Municipal Court is a "Court of Record" as established by City Ordinance in 2012.
Municipal Court - office hours are :  Mon-Thurs, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  --Court is closed on Fridays --
There will not be court staff available to assist you on Fridays.

***  However, you can submit documents and payments (Money Order, Cashier's Check, or CASH (must be exact amount). You will need to follow up with court staff the next business day to ensure your documents/payments were applied to your citation. 
***  It is your responsibility to comply with all rules and regulations of the court to ensure you are following proper procedures to resolve your citation in a timely and correct manner.  Feel free to use the "sub-tabs" on this website to answer any questions you may have should staff be unavailable.

     CONTACT INFO FOR THE COURT IS:   email:  kadams@cityofrhome.com
     office phone #:  817-636-2333 (to leave voice message)

***     BEFORE YOU CONTACT THE COURT ---- please read the handout the officer gave you when you received your citation.  That handout (Plea Document) contains very important information and instructions on how you need to enter your formal written plea.


****  If you need information about a new citation, please read the information document the officer gave you with your citation. That document is very important.  You need to select one plea option PER violation, completely fill out the lowest portion of the form, and submit that original form with your original citation back to the court not later than the 20th day from the date of your citation.  (That date is shown in the "Court Information" section in the center of your citation.)

****  To find out the amount of your fine, you can go online   https://www.govrec.com/home/rhomecitx 
You can also look on the Rhome Municipal Court website  https://www.cityofrhome.com/departments/municipal_court.php, click on the sub-tab "F.A.Q." (Frequently Asked Questions), and scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of the most common violations/fine amounts. I am still updating the list so if you do not see what you are looking for, please feel free to contact me.

Options to pay -------  (if you pay without entering a WRITTEN plea, the violation will be closed as a conviction and may appear on your driving and/or criminal record).
1.  with a card online at:   https://www.govrec.com/home/rhomecitx  (a 5% service fee will be applied by the card processing company---not by the court or by the City of Rhome)
2.  with a card in person or by phone (a 5% service fee will be applied by the card processing company---not by the court or by the City of Rhome)
3.  By mail with a Money Order or Cashier's Check  (make payable to City of Rhome.  Be sure to sign the payment.)
4.  In person with Cash (exact amount is required.  The court does not have change and cannot accept overpayments).

*** Payments by Mail:  Rhome Municipal Court, P. O. Box 228, Rhome, Texas  76078 ***
*** Payments in Person:  Rhome Municipal Court, 261 School Rd., Rhome, Texas  76078***


THERE ARE 3 PLEA TYPES:  (you need to choose ONLY one for EACH violation you received).....
PLEA OF NOT GUILTY - means that you deny guilt of the violation, or that you have a firm defense in your case.
You must submit a written plea of Not Guilty and with your request for a trial by jury (Jury Trial) or a trial by judge (Bench Trial).
You have the right to represent yourself (Pro Se) or you do have the right to hire a licensed attorney to appear on your behalf.

PLEA OF GUILTY - means that you admit the violation was prohibited by law, that you committed the violation charged against you, and that you have no defense or excuse for your unlawful act.

PLEA OF NO CONTEST (nolo contendre) - means that you do not admit you committed the offense but you are NOT going to contest the State's charge against you.  A plea of nolo contendere cannot be used against you in a civil law matter.


There are 2 possible plea options for ticket dismissal ---  COMMERCIAL LICENSE HOLDERS (Class A & B) ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THESE 2 OPTIONS
Deferred Disposition (probation) for dismissal  -  
--- Offenders under 25 yrs of age with a moving violation shall be required by TX DPS statute.to complete a Texas Driver Safety Course, or Drug/Alcohol Education Course, or Community Service, etc., as a condition of deferral for dismissal.
--- regardless of your age, if the alleged speed is 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit, or if the alleged speed is "95 mph or more", the judge may require you complete a Texas Driver Safety Course as a condition of deferral for dismissal of your violation.
---  regardless of your age, if the alleged speed is "100 mph or more", the judge may require you complete up to 20 hours of community service as a condition of deferral for dismissal of your violation.
---  You cannot receive any new violations in the City of Rhome through the deferral period (which can vary but is typically for 90 days).
---  You may be required to complete additional conditions of deferral as ordered by the judge, or as required by TX DPS statute.  
---  If you choose this option, you must enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest, pay an assessed fine/required court costs/state fees PLUS (+) $50.00 "Administrative Fee" not later than 30 days from the date of your plea (DO NOT pay before the court enters your formal plea). 
---  Your violation shall be dismissed upon successful completion of deferral conditions set out by the Judge of this court.

Texas Driver Safety Course (aka defensive driving) for dismissal  -  (an "adult driver education course" is NOT the same and will NOT be accepted in place of a safety course--unless specifically ordered by the judge.)
****  DO NOT TAKE A COURSE UNTIL THE COURT INSTRUCTS YOU TO BEGIN
To be eligible, you must-----
---  provide a copy of your current and valid TEXAS Driver License, an active military driver license, or be the spouse/dependent of an active military personnel
---  provide a copy of your current and valid proof of auto liability insurance that shows you as a covered driver active for at least the next 90 days.
---  provide a copy of your Type 3-A Driving Record from the TX DPS website:  https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager
---  submit a notarized Sworn Affidavit stating you have not taken a DSC within the last 12 months prior to the date of your citation in this court
---  pay the required State Fees and Court Costs + $10 administrative fee within 30 days from the date of your plea
            $144.00   OR    $169.00 if your violation was in a school zone  (the court will inform you of the correct amount to pay)

***   You are not eligible to take a DSC for dismissal if your violation was:
--- speeding 25 mph or more over the posted limit OR  if your alleged speed was more than 95 mph
--- speeding 25 mph or more over the posted limit OR  if your alleged speed was more than 95 mph
--- passing a school bus
--- in a construction zone with workers present
--- passing an emergency vehicle without vacating the lane or failed to slow to 20 mph below the posted limit
-- Your violation shall be dismissed upon successful completion of requirements of DSC

FIX-IT TICKETS - Class A and B Commercial DL holders are not eligible for most "fix-it" violation dismissals.
Please contact the court if questions.
All "Fix-it Tickets" must be resolved within 20 business days from the issue date of the citation and the "dismissal fee" must be paid at the same time.  (please contact the court for the dismissal fee). 
If paying in cash, you must pay the exact amount---court does not have change and cannot accept overpayments.

***  VERY IMPORTANT -- If you received a citation for Expired Registration, you must tell the DMV when you go to renew your registration that you DID receive a citation for expired registration.  They are required to charge you a "Late Registration Fee".  If you do not pay the "late registration fee" to the DMV, the municipal court cannot dismiss your violation as "Compliance Dismissal" per State Statute.
****  COMMERCIAL LICENSE HOLDERS may not be eligible for this option under TX DPS statute.  Please contact the court for questions.


Under our American system of justice, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
*** Your plea must be entered in writing ***   A telephone call does NOT constitute an “appearance”.

*** You must submit your plea in writing either in person or by mail within 20 calendar days from the date of your citation (the plea deadline, also noted as the "appear by" date, is printed on your citation in the "court information" section).

*** You need to carefully read both sides of the instructional plea document you were given with your citation. If you did not receive an instruction document with your citation, it is very important you email the court at municipalcourt@cityofrhome.com and ask for it to be emailed to you.  Or you can go to the court and fill it out there in person.

*** Your plea options are listed on the lowest portion of the document.  Read each one very carefully.  If you have questions regarding whether you qualify for a particular option, please contact the court clerk at 817-636-2333 or by email at municipalcourt@cityofrhome.com 
- Class A and B commercial license holders do not qualify for options 2 (deferral) or 3 (driver safety course) for Rules of the Road (moving violations), per Texas DPS laws.

*** You must select one option per violation (you can possibly choose the same option for multiple violations. Contact the court to see if you qualify).

*** Please be aware---if you fail to submit your written plea either in person or by mail as required by law within the 20 day deadline, a subsequent violation of Violate Promise to Appear may be issued and additional fines/fees/costs assessed.  As well, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and a hold may be placed on your driver license preventing you from renewing your license and/or registration of your vehicle until the citation has been resolved in full.


**** After you have thoroughly read the instruction document outlining your plea options but still have questions,
you can contact the court as follows......
email:  kadams@cityofrhome.com
phone:  817-636-2333
Business Hours:  MON thru THURS,  8:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. - Closed on Fridays

Do not delay - if you are not sure of your options, please contact the court clerk immediately.
You only have 20 business days to enter an appearance and submit your written plea.

DEFINITIONS:   NOT GUILTY  ,  GUILTY  ,  OR  NOLO CONTENDRE (NO CONTEST)
1.  NOT GUILTY - means that you deny guilt of the violation, or that you have an affirmative defense in your case.
You are entitled to request a trial by jury (Jury Trial) or you can waive a jury and request a trial by judge (Bench Trial).
You have the right to represent yourself (Pro Se) or you have the right to hire an attorney to represent you.
You will be put on a court docket and will receive (by regular USPS mail) the formal setting notice with the date and time of your setting.
2.  GUILTY - means that you admit you committed the violation charged against you and that you have no defense or excuse for your unlawful act.  (A plea of Guilty may be used against you in a civil suit)
3.  NOLO CONTENDRE (NO CONTEST) - means that you do not plea Guilty, but you do not wish to contest the charge against you. (A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) cannot be used against you in a civil suit.)


ENTER YOUR PLEA - (Plea options printed on instruction document given to you by the citing officer):
Please note:  The presiding judge in this court has standing orders with stipulations not noted on your citation regarding plea options #2 and #3  (contact the court if questions)
1.    Plea Guilty or No Contest (circle one) – Waive your right to trial by jury (Jury Trial) or trial by judge (Bench Trial), accept a conviction of the violation, agree to pay the fine/court costs/state fees within 45 calendar days from the date of the citation.  The violation will be closed as a conviction and may appear on your driving record and/or criminal record.

2.     Plea Guilty or No Contest (circle one) –  Waive your right to trial by jury (Jury Trial) or trial by judge (Bench Trial) and request Deferred Disposition (probation) for ticket dismissal.  You agree to pay the fine/costs/fees assessed plus $50.00 deferral fee within 30 days, no new violations in the City of Rhome for 90 days, and the violation will be dismissed upon successful completion of ALL deferral terms.
--- The presiding judge for this court has standing orders regarding other conditions of deferral that may apply to you.
--- If you received a speeding violation and the alleged speed is more than 20% over the posted speed limit, the judge may require additional deferral conditions for dismissal.
--- If you were involved in an accident, deferral is not a "window" option.  You must request a court setting and will be required to appear in person to discuss the violation with the State's Attorney (prosecutor) and can request deferral at that time.  It will be up to the State if an offer of deferral is to be made.
*Class A or Class B Commercial License holders are NOT ELIGIBLE for Deferred Disposition (probation) for any violation, per Texas State Statute.

3.     Plea Guilty or No Contest and request to take a Texas Driver Safety Course for ticket dismissal.
***  (You cannot have taken a Driver Safety Course for ticket dismissal within the past 12 months prior to the date of your citation for any other court in any state.)
***   When you submit your citation with your plea marked to take a DSC for ticket dismissal, you must also submit the following with your citation:
       a.  A clear copy of your current and valid Texas Class C Driver License or military license (or the spouse/dependent of military)
       b.  A copy of your Auto Insurance ID Card showing that it is current and effective for at least the next 90 days and must
            show you as a covered driver.  If you do not own a vehicle, you can provide a "non-owner's coverage" policy.
       c.  A copy of your Type 3-A Driving Record you can print from the TX DPS website:
            https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager
      d.  You must pay court costs & state fees in the amount of $144.00 (or $169.00 if the violation was in a school zone)
      e.  You must complete a Texas Driver Safety Course within 90 days from the date of your plea (online or in-person course
            is acceptable)
           *** Google or search:  "TDLR Approved Texas Driver Safety Course"  (not a Driver Education Course)
           *** Pick one that states  "Free email delivery of certificate of completion"          
           *** Pick one that costs $25.00,  6-hour Driver Safety Course  (choose "Course Only" - you do NOT need the driving
                record from the DSC course company.  You will print it from the TX DPS website above.)
          *** Print the certificate of completion - you need to sign both the top certificate and bottom certificate.  Submit the
               ORIGINAL, SIGNED TOP "COURT COPY" certificate to the court on or before your due date assigned by the court.
               You need to mail the lower portion INSURANCE COPY to your insurance company. (An emailed certificate will not
               be accepted by the court.)
4.    Plea of Not Guilty – Contest the citation and request a trial by judge or by jury.

Out of state DL holders do not have the option to take a Driver Safety Course for ticket dismissal unless you are active military, or spouse/dependent of active military member.

Class A & B "Commercial" license holders are NOT ELIGIBLE for Deferral or Driver Safety Course for dismissal, per the State DPS statute.
FIX-IT VIOLATIONS SUCH AS EXPIRED INSPECTION, EXPIRED DL, PROOF OF VALID AUTO INSURANCE, WINDOW FILM (window film-removal of film, or UV compliance proof, is required for dismissal)

All "Fix-it Tickets" must be resolved within 20 business days from the issue date of the citation.  You must also pay any required Dismissal Fee at the same time (dismissal fees in CASH ONLY /exact amount required (court does not have change) - contact the court for the dismissal fee amount.

If you received a citation for Expired Registration violation, you must tell the DMV when you go to renew your registration that you received a citation for expired registration.  The DMV is required to collect a "Late Registration Fee".  If you do not pay the "late" fee to the DMV, the court cannot dismiss your violation as "Compliance Dismissal".


ALTERNATIVES TO FULL PAYMENT :  Time Payment Plan, Community Service, Indigent Status, Jail Credit
If you enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest, waive a trial by jury or by judge, and accept the conviction of the violation, but are unable to pay the fine in full by deadline, you can submit a written request for a payment plan hearing, or you can request an "Indigency Hearing" if you feel you are truly qualified as Indigent Status.  It is your responsibility to research to see if you qualify for "indigent status".  Upon receiving your written request, you will be scheduled for a hearing.  The judge will discuss your financial situation to decide how best to accommodate your ability to pay and may present alternative options to payment in full.