JUSTICE COURT                                                                                                                                      RANDALL COUNTY

PRECINCT FOUR                                                                                                                                      STATE OF TEXAS

YOUR RIGHTS IN COURT

 

  1. You have been charged with a class C Misdemeanor.

 

  1. All class C Misdemeanors are punishable by fines only.

 

  1. No jail time is involved unless you are guilty and refuse to pay a fine.

 

  1. You are entitled to an attorney to represent you in this Court.

 

  1. You are not required to have an attorney.  This is something you may handle for yourself if you so choose.

 

  1. You are innocent until proven guilty.

 

  1. If you chose to plead not guilty, it is up to the State of Texas to prove your guilt to either the Judge or a jury.  As the defendant, you have the choice of a jury or bench trial.

 

  1. If you wish to plead not guilty, tell the Clerk of the Court, and she will help you with the proper forms to set your case for trial.

 

  1. If you wish to plead not guilty, it is improper for the Judge to discuss any of the facts of the case with either you or the State, except in open court with both you and the State’s attorney present.

 

  1. If you wish to plead guilty or nolo contendere, tell the Clerk of the Court, and she will help you with the proper form.

 

  1. If you want to enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere but wish to discuss your case with the Judge before paying the fine and costs, tell the Clerk of the Court, and she will help you with the proper forms and arrange for you to see the Judge.

 

  1. If you possess a Texas Driver’s License, you may be eligible to take, under certain conditions, a driving safety course to have a moving traffic violation dismissed.  If you wish to exercise this option, tell the Clerk of the Court, and she will help you with the proper forms.

 

  1. If you need more than 10 days to pay your fine, tell the Clerk of the Court, and she will help you with the form that will allow you extra time to pay the fine upon the payment of an additional time-payment fee.

 

  1. If you are indigent and cannot pay a fine, the Clerk of the Court will arrange for you to see the Judge concerning your legal options to dispose of the fine and costs.