Procedures & Fines

The City of Hudson court docket is the schedule of the court. Defendants will be expected to adhere to the procedures and protocol of the court at all times, including proper attire.

All mobile devices, including phones, must be turned off. Photography and audio recordings are prohibited. No food or drink will be allowed in the courtroom at any time.

 

If you have an active warrant, the court is a Safe Haven designation. Safe Haven is a non-arrest court policy for individuals that volunteer to appear to the court. To resolve citation/ticket issues. 

Please consider this a courtesy reminder to those who may have unresolved traffic citations with the city. If you do not respond in a timely manner, it may result in the following actions being taken against you.

  • Issuance of Warrant and Wanted Status Reported to Appropriate State and Local Agencies
  • Warrant Fee and other fees totaling up to $80.00 being added to the current fine, and additional VFTA (Violate Written Promise to Appear) which can total another $225 being added to the orginal fine
  • Arrest and Detainment (Arrest can be made at your home, while driving, or at your place of business. If arrested while driving, YOU will be responsible for charges assessed for the towing and storage of your vehicle.)
  • Collection Fee equal to 30% of the unpaid balance being added to the total owed
  • A hold being placed on your Driver’s License renewal

Indigence. If a defendant is indigent or otherwise too poor to pay either the appeal bond or the transcript, she\he may file an Affidavit of Indigency with the court and a Motion to Waive Costs within the ten (10) day period to file an appeal bond.  A hearing on the motion to waive costs shall then be scheduled by the court.

Inability to Pay Fine. If a defendant does not appeal the court's decision but is unable to pay the fine when due, the defendant must appear at the clerk's office and request their case be set on a show-cause docket.  If the defendant qualifies, the court may allow the defendant to pay the fine in installments or discharge the fine by performing community service.  If community service creates an undue hardship, the judge may enter a finding of indigence and waive fines and fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to take care of a traffic ticket?

You have twelve (12) days from the date of the citation to contact the court and make a plea to the charges. You must enter a plea on each violation of Not Guilty, Guilty, or No Contest.  If we do not hear from you within 12 days from the citation date, additional charges may be filed against you and a warrant may be issued.

If I plea Not Guilty, what do I have to do?

You must plea Not Guilty in person. When you plea Not Guilty to a charge, you will be provided an appointment to see the City Judge.

Can I pay my tickets by credit card?

Credit cards are currently accepted in person, by phone or thru web pay. Otherwise, we accept cash, money orders or cashiers checks. If you are mailing your payment, please put Attention Municipal Court. All credit card, or debt card payment will have a processing fee no matter if it is done online or in person.

Can I take Defensive Driving or get Deferred Disposition for my ticket?

You may be eligible for Defensive Driving for your citation or Deferred Disposition. Please contact the court clerk for more information.

NOTE: Holders of a CDL do NOT qualify for Driver’s Safety Course or Deferred Adjudication.

What do I do if I have a warrant?

If you have outstanding warrants, you may do one of the following to have the warrants cleared: 
  • Call the Court at (936) 875-2358 EXT. 104
  • Set up a payment plan
  • Pay the fine in full

Please contact the court at 936-875-2358 EXT.104 or come in person to 3458 Ted Trout Drive, Hudson, TX 75904 to make arrangements. NOTE:  You will not be arrested if you come to court to clear a warrant

Can I tell the Judge my side/ my story?

Please note that the Judge CANNOT discuss the merits of a pending judicial proceeding prior to trial. (Canon 3(5), Code of Judicial Conduct). This means that the judge shall not discuss your case prior to trial. You may plead not guility can request either a bench trial or a Jury trial. All citaitions/tickets are considered class c, this means we DO NOT provide any legal aid in your case.

What is the difference in Guilty, No Contest, and Not Guilty

You may plead either “Guilty,” wherein you admit that you violated the law and have no lawful defense/excuse for committing the act, or “No Contest,” wherein you are not admitting Guilt, nor are you admitting Innocence. You are simply not contesting the State’s charges. A plea of “Not Guilty” means you are either denying Guilt or that you have a lawful defense and the State must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. You may hire an attorney to represent you; however, the Municipal Court of the City of Hudson is not required to provide you an attorney. Due to being class c court only.

Contact Info

Court Clerk
3458 Ted Trout Drive Hudson, TX 75904
(936)-875-2358 EXT. 104
mc@cityofhudson.net