- Home
- Departments
- Municipal Court
Municipal Court
Mission
To provide a forum for justice to ensure that all citizens served by the City of Fate Municipal Court are treated fairly and equally while following the guidelines provided for due process of law.
The City of Fate Municipal Court is open to the public. Normal business hours are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 12 PM Friday.
- The Municipal Court continues to enforce strict social distancing and sanitation protocols in public areas.
- The Court encourages the use of wearing a face mask.
- The Court recommends that only defendants or attorneys with official court business appear (unless the defendant is a Juvenile that needs a parent or guardian to accompany him/her).
As an option, the Fate Municipal Court continues to hold virtual court appearances using Zoom online video conferencing.
- **Note: To request a virtual hearing, the court requires that this request be made in writing by email, mail, or in person. For more information, please contact the court. This request must be made at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled court date. **
- You must have a webcam or built-in camera with a microphone on your computer or mobile device. (Most cell phones should work.)
- You are required to download the Zoom app before the hearing begins.
- Please log in and join the Zoom meeting at least 10 minutes prior to the time indicated for your court appearance, with a Meeting ID and Password shown on your court notice.
- If you do not have a computer or smartphone or have any questions concerning your case, court date, or other matters, please contact the court staff at 972-771-4601, ext.127 or ext.102 during business hours.
Defendants may also send documents or questions to [email protected].
In all emailed correspondence with the Court please provide:
- your name,
- address,
- citation number,
- date of birth,
- and phone number.
View the Municipal Court Plan for Reopening
Municipal Court Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. -12 p.m.
* Online payments may be made here.
User Notice
The Fate Municipal Court has jurisdiction over Class C Misdemeanors and City Ordinance Violations that occur within the corporate city limits and are punishable by fine only. Nothing contained herein is intended to be nor should be construed as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.
The information on this site is compiled and made available as a public service by the Fate Municipal Court. However, neither the Court nor the City of Fate makes any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information herein, and is not responsible for errors or omissions, or for results obtained from the use of this information. Distribution of the information does not constitute such a warranty. Use of the information is the sole responsibility of the user.
- Compliance Dismissal
- Deferred Disposition
- Driving Safety Course
- Forms and Resources
- Payment of Fines
- Plea Information
Compliance Dismissals must be remedied within 20 business days from the date the citation was issued.
Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility and No Driver’s License
* Provide proof of Valid Insurance or Valid Driver's License
* No fee
Expired Driver’s License
* Provide proof of Valid Driver's License
* $20
Failure to Display Driver's License
* Provide proof of Valid Driver's License
* $10
Failure to Change Address or Name on Driver's License
* Provide proof of Change
* $20
Expired Registration
* Provide proof of Registration and payment of late registration penalty
* $20
Defective Equipment
* Provide proof that defect has been repaired
* $10
Definition
Deferred disposition is a way of having your citation dismissed after satisfactory completion of a probationary period during which no additional convictions are received, and after all requirements imposed in the deferred order are satisfied. The probationary period is 90 to 180 days, depending on the type of violation, and begins when the fees are paid. With successful completion of deferred disposition, there is not a final conviction, the complaint may not be used against you, and the conviction will not be reported.
Deferred Disposition Process
- You must appear in person at the Court within twenty (20) days from the date of your citation to fill out an application for Deferred Disposition or if eligible you may request and pay online . Requests for Deferred Disposition will not be accepted by fax or phone.
- You must enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest and complete an Application for Deferred Disposition.
- You must pay the deferred fees in full. In most cases, the deferred fee is the standard fine amount including state court costs. The deferral (probation) period will not begin until the deferred fee is paid. If you fail to pay this amount in a timely manner, it will be considered a failure to comply with the conditions of the judge’s order, and dismissal will not be granted.
- If you are under the age of twenty-five (25) years you are required by Texas law to attend a Driving Safety Course as a condition of deferred disposition.
- If you hold a provisional license (under 18 years of age), you are also required by Texas law to take the DPS driving test as a condition of deferred disposition.
- You can not currently be on Deferred in the City of Fate or any other jurisdiction or have been granted Deferred in the City of Fate within twelve (12) months prior to the date of the request.
Eligibility Guidelines
A defendant is not eligible for Deferred Disposition for a moving violation if:
- The offense occurred in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers were present.
- The driver is a holder of a Commercial Drivers License or held one at the time cited for the offense.
Failure to Comply
If you fail to comply with any of the requirements for a deferred disposition, your case will be set for a show cause hearing.
Driving Safety Course
Under the laws of the State of Texas, you may be able to request that one traffic violation charge be dismissed upon satisfactory completion of a driving safety course and all conditions imposed. You must first obtain permission from the Court prior to taking a driving safety course.
Driving Safety Course Process
- You must make your request and payment within twenty (20) calendar days from the date your citation was issued (appearance date) in person, online or by mail.
- You must enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest and complete a Driver Safety Course Application and a signed affidavit complying with all eligibility requirements for DSC as set forth in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Sec.45.051 (c)(3).
- You must have a valid Texas Drivers License.
- You must have proof of financial responsibility (insurance).
- You cannot have taken a driving safety course for ticket dismissal within the past twelve (12) months prior to the date of your citation. You are required to sign a legal affidavit stating you are in compliance with this condition.
- You must pay $144.00 ($169.00 for school zone offenses), which includes state court costs and administrative fees. This amount is subject to change according to State law.
- You must submit proof of completing a Texas-approved driving safety course within 90 days from the date of payment.
- You must obtain a certified copy of your driving record.
- You must return all required documentation to the Court within 90 days from the date of payment. . See below for required documentation.
Eligibility Guidelines
You are not eligible to request a Driving Safety Course if:
- You have been charged with speeding 25mph or more over the posted speed limit or traveling at a rate of speed greater than 95 mph.
- You are charged with violating any of the following sections of the Transportation Code (TRC) of the State of Texas :
- TRC Sec. 472.022 – Construction or maintenance work zone when worker are present
- TRC Sec. 545.066 – Passing a school bus
- TRC Sec. 545.401 – Reckless driving
- TRC Sec. 545.421 – Fleeing or attempting to elude Police Officers
- TRC Sec. 550.022 – Accident involving damage to a vehicle
- TRC Sec. 550.023 – Duty to give information and render aid
- TRC Sec. 522.003 – Serious traffic violations
- You hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or held one at the time you were cited for the offense, .
Required Documentation
- An original certificate of completion from a Texas-approved driving safety course is required within 90 days.
- A certified copy of your driving record from the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin is required within 90 days. Your driving record is available online.
Driving Safety Course
The driving safety course must be approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or the Department of Licensing and Regulation. A list of approved courses is available online. Court personnel cannot recommend a driving safety course for you.
Forms and Resources
Forms
Resources
How To Pay
You may pay the fine in full by mail, in person or online by entering a plea of guilty or no contest. Please be advised that paying the fine in full waives your right to a trial. If you are unable to pay the fine by the appearance date, you may request a payment plan, extension or court date in person at the Municipal Court office. If you are mailing your plea and payment, it must be paid or postmarked by the 20th calendar day after receiving the citation.
Methods of Payment
- Cash
- Money Order
- Visa
- Discover
- Master Card
- Personal Check
Mail
Please mail payments and correspondence to:
Fate Municipal Court
P.O. Box 159
Fate, TX 75132
Pay Online
You also have the option to pay your citation in full online. No partial payments will be accepted. You will need your credit card and citation in hand. You may also request Driving Safety Course or Deferred Disposition online.
Please note: A convenience fee will be charged to process online payment transactions and credit payment transactions made at the Municipal Court office.
Plea Information
Your decision on what plea to enter is the most important decision you will have to make. The named defendant on the citation must sign his/her name and enter a plea to each charge. You must decide upon and enter a plea to the charge against you on or before the appearance date on your citation. If you signed a citation in front of an officer, you did not plead guilty, but only signed a promise to appear in court. We suggest you read the following explanations of the different types of pleas prior to making your decision.
There are three possible pleas to a complaint:
- Guilty
- Nolo Contendere (No Contest)
- Not Guilty
Plea of Guilty
By a plea of guilty, you admit that you committed the act charged, that the act is prohibited by law, and that you have no defense for your act. Before entering your plea of guilty, you should understand the following:
- The State has the burden of proving its case against you. The law does not require you to prove anything. You have the right to hear the State’s evidence and to require it to prove its case against you.
- If you were involved in a traffic accident at the time of the alleged offense, your plea of guilty could be used later in a civil suit for damages as an admission that you were at fault or were the party responsible for the accident.
Plea of “Nolo Contendere”
A plea of “nolo contendere” means you do not contest the State’s charge against you. You will be found guilty upon a plea of “nolo contendere”, but it is not an admission by you that you are guilty. Also, a plea of “nolo contendere” or “no contest” cannot be used against you in a civil suit for damages as can a plea of guilty.
A plea of guilty or “nolo contendere” and a waiver of Jury trial may be entered in writing by mail before the trial date. You should be prepared to pay your fine upon entering a plea of guilty of “nolo contendere.”
Plea of Not Guilty
A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the Court that you deny guilt in this case and the State must prove what it has charged against you. You have a right to a Pre-trial. In the Pre-trial you will speak directly with the City Prosecutor to try and resolve your case. If you and the prosecutor cannot reach an agreement then a trial will be set for you.
If you plead not guilty, you have the right to a trial by Judge or Jury. You will need to decide whether to employ a lawyer to represent you at trial. You may defend yourself, but no one except a lawyer may represent you. Please be advised that the Fate Municipal Court is a Court of Record. All proceedings will be conducted according to the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence. If you choose to represent yourself, you must be prepared. The court staff, bailiff, prosecuting attorney or Judge cannot act as your attorney by providing legal advice or legal assistance in the presentation of your case.