Back to www.houstontx.gov > Municipal Courts > Fines and Fees Information

Municipal Courts

Fines and Fees Information

Payment of Fines
In the City of Houston Municipal Courts, punishment can be assessed only by fines. That simply means that the Judge cannot sentence you to jail for a ticket; the Judge can only assess a fine against you.

How much will the fine be?
If you agree with the violation on the ticket and enter a plea of guilty or no contest, the Judge will find you guilty and access a fine. The range of punishment varies and the exact amount of the fine will depend on the violation and other circumstances reviewed by the Judge. You should be prepared to pay the fine at the time you are found guilty.

Paying Your Fine:

There are several options available for the payment of tickets/fines. Appearance in court on the date shown on your ticket will be waived if fines are paid prior to that date. Other options are:

  • PAYMENT BY MAIL: Full payment of amount due by check or money order should be made prior to scheduled court date. Mail payment with ticket number written on check to: Municipal Courts, P.O. Box 4996, Houston, TX 77210-4996
  • PAYMENT ONLINE: You can pay your fine online
  • PAYMENT IN PERSON: You may pay your fine in person at any of our six convenient locations: Satellite locations.
  • PAYMENT BY WESTERN UNION: As shown on the instructions on your ticket, you may wire your payment by Western Union and avoid long lines. Your payment will be applied immediately.
  • PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD: All fines can now be paid using your MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit cards. Simply fill out the form attached to your ticket, sign it and return it to the Courts. Or, you can fill out the Credit Card By Mail Form and mail it to the address on the form.

Paying Your Fine

If the payment is not made in full by the Court date, you MUST appear on your scheduled date. Failure to appear or failure to pay may result in:

  1. A warrant issued for your arrest and
  2. Denial of the renewal of your driver's license and additional costs of $10 per case, or
  3. Denial of the registration or re-registration of any motor vehicle.

The Judge will review your ability to pay the fine and the amount of the total fines. Generally, if you cannot pay the fine assessed on your court date, the Judge will order one of the following:

  • DEFERRED PAYMENT - a reset of the whole amount due on another date.
  • COMMUNITY SERVICE - work in a City department or non-profit agency in lieu of paying the fine.

The Judge will determine which plan is best suited for you. You are the only one that can request this option.

No one else can apply for you; not your spouse, parent, or friend. A processing fee of $15.00 per case could be added to your fine as required by State Law if you request payment of your fine/cost over a period of time. If the offense was committed September 1, 1999, or after, the $15 fee is collectable only if the entire amount of the fine is not paid by the 30th day after the fine is assessed.  Your failure/refusal to pay your fine could result in:

  1. A warrant issued for your arrest and
  2. Denial of the renewal of your driver's license and additional costs of $10 per case, or
  3. Denial of the registration or re-registration of any motor vehicle.

Payment of your fine is YOUR legal responsibility.