Municipal Court

Mission Statement
The mission of this court, and its personnel, is to provide effective and impartial administration of justice, as prescribed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Judicial Conduct, with exceptional customer service while building public trust and confidence.

The Municipal Court is the first level of the judicial branch of government. Its jurisdiction and authority are prescribed by Article 4.14 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 30.080 of the Texas Government Code.

Jurisdiction & Charges
The jurisdiction of the Municipal Court includes Class C Misdemeanors occurring within the territorial limits of the City of Sunrise Beach.

Charges may be filed in the Municipal Court by state peace officers, parks and wildlife officials, county peace officers, and a variety of city employees, including but not limited to police, fire, code enforcement, animal control and citizens.

Enforced State Statutes
State statutes enforced in Municipal Court include, but are not limited to, the Texas Transportation Code, the Texas Penal Code, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, the Texas Health and Safety Code, and the Family Code. Municipal Court deals with offenses which are punishable by fine only.

PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE (NO CONTEST)

A plea of no contest means that you do not contest the state’s charge against you. A plea of no contest cannot be used against you in a subsequent civil suit for damages.

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY

 A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the Court that you deny guilt or that you have a good defense for your case. If you plead not guilty, you will need to decide whether to hire an attorney to represent you. You will need to notify the court if you would like to have a trial by Jury or Judge (Bench Trial).

PLEA OF GUILTY

By entering a plea of guilty you admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and that you have no defense or excuse for your act. A plea of guilty may be used against you in a civil suit if there was a traffic accident. 

If you wish to resolve your citation without an in-person appearance, you may visit our online payment portal. The Court requires you to sign paperwork in person or in front of a notary if you are unable to travel to our City Hall.

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