In most cases, you will be able to handle your ticket(s) in one of three ways. You may plead “no contest,” “guilty”, or “not guilty.” NO CONTEST If you plead “no contest”, you may be eligible to have the ticket dismissed by either “defensive driving” or “deferred disposition” Defensive Driving To be eligible for defensive driving: You must have a VALID Texas driver’s license; You cannot have taken a defensive driving course within the past one (1) year; The violation cannot be for speeding citation where the alleged speed is 25 MPH or greater above the speed limit; The violation cannot have occurred in a “construction zone” when workers are present; and You must show proof of financial responsibility If you are granted “defensive driving”, court costs + $10.00 must be paid. You will be given a packet which you must complete and return to the court within 90 days. If you do this successfully, your ticket will be dismissed. Deferred Disposition Deferred Disposition is not available to holders of a commercial driver's license (CDL.) If you are granted “deferred disposition” the special expense fee and applicable court costs must be paid. You will be on probation for 90 days. If you are not convicted of a moving violation within that time, your ticket will be dismissed. The Court requires the completion of a Defensive Driving Course as part of the conditions for Deferred Disposition for defendants 25 years of age and younger. GUILTY If you plead “guilty”, payment of the fine plus applicable court costs must be paid and a conviction will be recorded on your driving record. NOT GUILTY You may plead “not guilty”, in which case a trial will be held before the court and the issuing officer will be present. The judge will determine guilt or innocence. A judgment of “guilty” will result in a fine being assessed and a conviction will be recorded on your driving record. Once testimony begins, you lose the right for “defensive driving” or “deferred disposition” at this level. TICKETS FOR "NO INSURANCE"If you received a ticket for “no insurance”, the court will dismiss the ticket if you show adequate proof that you were insured when you received the ticket. The court requires proof of insurance to be the policy or declaration page (not the card) that was in effect when you received the ticket.
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