No. The Judge does not have the authority to dismiss tickets. Any authority to dismiss a ticket is given to the judge either by statute or pursuant to a standing plea agreement from the City Attorney and under strict guidelines.
Dismissals allowed by statute are:
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
(1) You must provide a copy of a valid insurance policy that was in effect on the date and at the time that you received your citation.
(2) In the alternative, you may present a certificate of self-insurance previously issued to the driver or to the vehicle owner that was valid at the time the offense is alleged to have occurred to have your citation dismissed.
Insurance will be verified by the clerk's office with the issuing insurance company.
Failure to Present Driver's License
(1) You must present to the court a valid drivers license issued prior to the date and time of the citation.
Expired Driver's License (Tex. Trans. Code 521.026)
(1) You must renew your license within ten (10) working days of receiving the citation;
(2) You must present the renewed license to the court within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the citation; and
(3) You must pay a $20.00 administrative fee at the time of your request for dismissal (failure to pay the fee forfeits your right to a dismissal).
Expired Registration (Tex. Trans. Code 502.407)
(1) You must get the vehicle registered within ten (10) working days of receiving the citation;
(2) Within fourteen (14) days of the citation, you must present the receipt of registration to the court; and
(3) You must pay a $20.00 administrative fee at the time of your request for dismissal (failure to pay the fee forfeits your right to a dismissal).
Expired Inspection Sticker (Tex. Trans. Code 548.605)
(1) The inspection sticker on the vehicle at the time of the citation cannot be expired for more than sixty (60) days;
(2) You must get the vehicle inspected within ten (10) working days of the citation;
(3) Within fourteen (14) days of the citation, you must present the receipt showing proof of the vehicle inspection to the court for examination (the court will not enter the parking lot to view you sticker); and
(4) you must pay a $20 administrative fee at the time of the request for dismissal (failure to pay the fee forfeits your right to a dismissal).
IMPORTANT! ALL DOCUMENTS PRESENTED TO THE MUNICIPAL COURT (INCLUDING INSURANCE AND DRIVER'S LICENSES) ARE VERIFIED. FILING A FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT WITH A COURT IS A FELONY.
The following offenses are not dismissible:
- No Driver's License
- No Registration
- Improper Display of Registration
- No Inspection Sticker
- Improper Display of Inspection Sticker
Under certain circumstances, the Municipal Court Clerk's office has been authorized by the City Attorney to lower the "window fine" where proof of compliance is shown. Contact the Municipal Court to determine if your fine qualifies. Certain restrictions apply.