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Citation - How to Handle
Depending on your age and the type of offense alleged, you may choose from any of the following options.
OPTION #1: Plead "No Contest" or "Guilty" and pay the fine
- In person: You may appear at the Allen Municipal Court during business hours, Monday through Friday. Fine payment extensions may be granted at the time of appearance.
- By mail: Check the appropriate plea on the reverse side of your citation, and mail it to the Municipal Court with a check or money order. Please see the Fines Schedule to determine the amount you should remit for payment. To avoid additional fees for late payment, the payment must be postmarked on or before the due date listed on the citation.
- By phone or online: Please see Payment Options for information on how to make your payment using our automated telephone attendant or online payment system. Please note that when you make a voluntary payment by phone or online, you forfeit any right to request a Driving Safety or Deferred Disposition.
OPTION #2: Plead "Not Guilty" and request a trial
If you wish to plead not guilty, you and/or your attorney must appear in person at the Municipal Court on or before the response date listed on the citation. Court hearings cannot be scheduled by telephone.
- In person: Appear in person to set a court date for a plea hearing. After you have entered a plea to the judge, a pre-trial hearing date will be set.
- By mail: You may also enter a plea of not guilty by mail. To do so, you must write a letter to the Municipal Court and include the following documents with your letter.
- Copy of a government issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport)
- Copy of the citation
- Your plea by mail cannot be processed without these documents. Once received, the court will set a pre-trial hearing date and notify you by mail.
In accordance with the Local Court Rules, all persons shall dress appropriately and respectfully for all court proceedings. Entrance into the courtroom may be denied for inappropriate attire that includes, but not limited to, shorts, tank tops, ball caps, and clothing deemed to be causing audio and/or visual distraction.
OPTION #3: Request, if eligible, the Driving Safety Course (DSC) or the Deferred Disposition (Probation)
Requests must be made in person or by mail. For more information and instruction on requesting deferral of final disposition, please review these links:
- Driving Safety Course (DSC)
- Deferred Disposition (Probation)
OPTION #4: Request, if eligible, for the dismissal of a citation for Expired Registration, Expired Driver’s License, Defective Equipment or Insurance violation
If you request this option, you must present the required proof of remedy and payment of the applicable administrative fee. Learn more.
Consequences of Ignoring a Citation
Failure to complete one of the four options listed within 20 business days from the date of the citation can immediately result in the following actions taken against the offender:
An arrest warrant may be issued, at which time the fine amount can automatically be assessed the maximum allowed by law in addition to court costs and fees. If an arrest warrant is issued, the defendant will be subject to arrest at home, place of business, or wherever he/she may be found.
A request may be submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the denial of driver license renewal.
Inability to pay a fine is not an excuse for failure to respond. Fine payment extensions may be granted in person at the time of appearance. If you are assessed fines and costs because of a citation and you are unable to pay, bring this to the attention of the judge. If you are determined by the court to have insufficient resources or income to pay, the court may provide you other ways to discharge the fine and costs.
Special Instruction for Juveniles
Texas State Law requires that juveniles (age 10-16) must appear in person with a parent or legal guardian for a court hearing, regardless of the offense. For tobacco and/or alcohol offenses, any defendant under the age of 18 must appear with a parent or legal guardian. A court appearance is also required to request Driving Safety Course or Deferred Disposition.
Self-Help Notice
Pursuant to Section 51.808 of the Texas Government Code, the following links are provided for anyone that needs help with a legal problem.