B
alch Springs Municipal Courts
Court Administrator:
Deborah Jessup
972-557-6055
3117 Hickory Tree Rd.
Balch Springs, TX 75180
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 8am - 4pmPayment Options
- Cash
- Credit Card
- Money OrderThe Balch Springs Municipal Court is responsible for the adjudication of Class C misdemeanors and other state and city ordinance violations punishable by fine only. The court conducts preliminary and pretrial hearings and trials, collects fines and court costs and issues warrants of arrest and search.
Court is held on the first and third Thursday of each month. All cases are heard at 3117 Hickory Tree Rd. in the Municipal Center. The law requires that you make an appearance either in person or by mail. If you were issued a citation, you have 20 calendar days from the date the citation was issued to enter a plea, pay your fine and costs, or set a court date. If you have been released on a bond, you must contact the court for your court date (unless otherwise stated on the bond). Failure to appear according to the terms of your bond may result in a bond forfeiture lawsuit being filed against you and a warrant being issued for your arrest.
If a complainant filed your case, you will be notified by regular mail of your court appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are My Rights?
You have a right to enter a plea of “guilty”, “nolo contender” or “not guilty” to each offense charged, the right to consult an attorney and the right to a jury or non-jury trial. If you plead “not guilty”, you will need to decide whether to employ an attorney to represent you. You may defend yourself, but on one else except a lawyer may represent you.
How Can I Plead?
A plea must be made in person or by mail. By 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 “nolo contender” (or “no contest”) means that you do not contest the State’s charge against you. While it is not an admission by you that you are guilty, you will almost certainly be found guilty. A plea of guilty or no contest, and a finding of guilt, will result in a conviction on your record. However, a plea of “no contest” cannot be used against you in a subsequent civil suit for damages. A plea of “not guilty” means that you are informing the Court that you deny guilt or that you have a good defense, and that the State must prove what is charged against you.
What If I Am A Juvenile?
Juveniles must appear in person before the Judge, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Juveniles do not have to take action on a citation within twenty days. Notice of their court date and time will be mailed by the clerk to the address shown on the citation.
What Are My Options For Dismissal Of Certain Offenses?
No Driver’s License or Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Liability Insurance) may be dismissed with proof that you had a valid driver’s license, financial responsibility, or insurance policy at the time of the offense.
Expired Driver’s License may be dismissed upon payment of a $10.00 dismissal fee with proof that you renewed your license within 10 business days of the offense.
Expired Vehicle Registration or Expired Vehicle Inspection may be dismissed upon payment of a $10.00 dismissal fee with proof of renewal of registration or inspection within 10 business days of the offense. Registration must be renewed for a full year and penalties paid.
Deferred Disposition is available to dismiss most offenses if you are not currently on probation for another offense in Balch Springs. You must pay the equivalent of the window fine and costs as the special expense fee and not receive any citations for similar offenses in Balch Springs during the 90 day deferral period. You must request this option within 20 calendar days of the date of the citation. This option is not available if you were speeding 25 miles an hour or more over the posted speed limit or if you held a commercial driver’s license at the time of the offense. Some offenses may have additional requirements.
Driving Safety Course may be used to dismiss one moving traffic offense. You must provide written notice to the Court within 20 calendar days of the date of the citation. You will be required to pay the administrative fee and court costs. This option is not available if you were speeding 25 miles or more over the posted speed limit or if you held a commercial driver’s license at the time of the offense. You may only take the driving safety course for dismissal of an offense once in a 12 month period. Persons under the age of 25 are required to take a drivers safety course to keep the violation off of their record.
