Municipal Courts
Public Information Office: Press Releases
Texas Municipal Courts, Law Enforcement Agencies Unite For Statewide Warrant Round-Up
February 19, 2016 -- The City of Houston’s Municipal Courts Department and Houston Police Department (HPD) announce their participation in the 2016 Great Texas Warrant Round-Up (WRU). They will be among 300 jurisdictions across the state that will engage in this annual law enforcement campaign that begins Saturday, March 5, 2016. Neighboring jurisdictions joining this statewide initiative as regional participants include Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Nueces, Waller and Wichita Counties.
“We do everything possible to encourage individuals to resolve their court matters well before they become delinquent, but when all else fails, we turn to law enforcement to execute outstanding warrants,” said Director and Presiding Judge, Barbara E. Hartle. “Participating in the statewide WRU program simultaneously with other jurisdictions helps bring about greater public awareness, which will hopefully encourage people to resolve their case or cases before they are arrested,” Judge Hartle explained.
Judge Hartle also shared that the Houston Municipal Court offers several options for the resolution of delinquent tickets. “Defendants may also meet with judges and prosecutors to request deferred payment plans or community service in order to resolve their case,” Judge Hartle said. “I want everyone to know that they can come take care of their court business without the fear of arrest while at the courthouse,” Judge Hartle further stated.
HPD will be assisted by the Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit to search for individuals with outstanding warrants. Once the Warrant Round-up period begins on March 5, 2016, HPD and other law enforcement agencies will aggressively target those defendants on the warrant list. Authorities warn that arrests can take place at any location, including the defendant’s home, school or workplace.
Notices are being mailed to all Houston Municipal Court defendants with active warrants. Individuals with warrants in jurisdictions other than the City of Houston should contact those jurisdictions for information about how to clear outstanding warrants. A complete list of participating regional partners and more information about warrants or outstanding citations can be found at www.houstontx.gov/courts or contact the Houston Helpline at 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311, if outside the City of Houston.
2016 Great Warrant Round-Up FAQ’s
Why are you doing this?
To close cases for which all other means of resolution have been unsuccessful.
Why do this now?
Statewide cooperation with other entities provides broader public awareness. Tax refund season creates better opportunity for some defendants to have the ability to pay their fines.
How many warrants are outstanding?
This number is not constant and changes periodically. In the month of January, in the City of Houston alone, there was an average of about 300,000 active warrants in the court’s system. Some defendants have multiple warrants.
How can I find out if I have warrants?
For Houston Municipal Court warrants, dial Houston’s Helpline at 3-1-1, visit the website at www.houstontx.gov/courts or visit any City of Houston Municipal Court location (see chart below). For information about warrants issued out of the Harris County Justice Courts, visit the Justice Court’s website at www.jp.hctx.net. Individuals with warrants in jurisdictions other than the City of Houston and Harris County Justice Courts, should contact those jurisdictions for information about how to clear outstanding warrants.
What are my options if I find out I do have warrants?
You may pay the fine and court costs, or post a bond and have your case(s) reset for a new court date. You may also seek legal advice from an attorney. You may come in and speak with a Judge about a payment plan application or community service.
If I come to court to pay, will I be arrested?
No, defendants are encouraged to come in voluntarily to resolve cases during the Warrant Round-Up and at any time to speak with a Judge or Prosecutor.
Will there be an amnesty offered to reduce the cost of any of the fines or fees?
Not at this time. If your cases have not yet been adjudicated, you can speak with a Prosecutor regarding a plea bargain.
If I want to pay for my warrants, what are my payment options?
Payment options for warrants issued by the City of Houston Municipal Courts are as follows:
- ONLINE – https://www.houstontx.gov/courts/ticket_payments.html
- BY PHONE – Call 713.221.0288 (24-hour payment line)
- BY MAIL - Municipal Courts Dept., P.O. Box 4996, Houston, TX 77210-4996
- WESTERN UNION (use code: Ticket Texas)
- IN PERSON – at any of the six court locations listed:
COURT LOCATIONS |
||
CENTRAL LOCATION |
HOURS |
PHONE |
Herbert W. Gee |
Monday - Friday |
713.247.5479 |
|
||
ANNEX LOCATIONS* |
HOURS |
PHONE |
Acres Homes/North Command Station |
Monday - Friday |
832.394.1513 |
Clear Lake Sub-Station (Municipal Court Annex) |
Thursday |
832.395.1877 |
Kingwood |
Wednesday |
832.395.8042 |
Southeast Command Station |
Monday - Friday |
832.394.2202 |
Westside Command Station (Court 18) |
Monday - Friday |
832.394.5150 |
For payment options for warrants in other jurisdictions, please contact the appropriate court in that area.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, money orders, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
After I pay, how long will it take for the information to be removed from DPS records?
The Department of Public Safety will clear holds on driver’s licenses within 7 to 10 business days.
2016 Great Texas Warrant Round Up Regional Partners
Addison Municipal Court
Alvin, City of
Angleton Municipal Court
Austin County
Azle, City of
Bay City Municipal Court
Baytown Marshal’s Office
Bellaire Police Department
Brazoria Municipal Court
Brenham Municipal Court
Bryan Municipal Court
Clute Municipal Court
Colorado County
Colorado County Justice of the Peace
Conroe Municipal Court
Deer Park Municipal Court
Dickinson Municipal Court
Friendswood Municipal Court
Fulshear Municipal Court
Galveston Police Department
Grandview, City of / Johnson County
Harris County Constables (all Precincts)
Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts
Humble Municipal Court
Karnes City Municipal Court
LaMarque Municipal Court
LaPorte Municipal Court
League City Municipal Court
Manvel Municipal Court
Morgan’s Point Municipal Court
Nacogdoches County
Nueces County
Oak Ridge North Municipal Court
Pearland, City of
Roman Forest, City of
Rosenberg, City of
Santa Fe Municipal Court
Seabrook, City of
Sealy Municipal Court
Southside Place, City of
Spring Valley Village Municipal Court
Stagecoach Municipal Court
Stafford Municipal Court
Sugar Land Municipal Court
Texas City Municipal Court
Tomball, City of
Vidor Municipal Court
Waller County Justice of the Peace
Waller Municipal Court
Ward County Justice of the Peace
Washington County Justice of the Peace, Pct 3
Webster Municipal Court
Wichita Falls, City of
Wylie Municipal Court