Municipal Courts
Public Information Office: Press Releases
Warrant Round-Up Begins, Saturday, March 5
March 4, 2016 -- At a press conference held at the Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse on February 19, 2016, the City of Houston Municipal Courts, Houston Police Department, and various other law enforcement agencies throughout the Gulf Coast region gave notice of their intention to participate in the 2016 Great Texas Warrant Round Up. Today is the final day to resolve warrant cases voluntarily before the Round Up effort begins, Saturday, March 5, 2016.
Houston Police Officers will hit the streets with lists provided by the City of Houston Municipal Courts containing names of people with outstanding warrants. Harris County Constables in all seven precincts will also be looking for people with active warrants within their specific jurisdictions.
“Citizens are strongly encouraged to call us or come in voluntarily as soon as possible to discuss their case(s) with a Judge or a prosecutor. There are several options available for case resolution” said Presiding Judge Barbara E. Hartle.
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 you may contact the Houston Helpline at 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311, if outside the City of Houston. For information about warrants issued out of the Harris County Justice Courts, visit their website at www.jp.hctx.net.
2016 Great Warrant Round-Up FAQ’s
Why are you doing this?
To resolve 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 and court costs.
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 their 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 if there are no judgments yet. 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