Court

Why did I received a Failure to Appear/Bail Jumping, or I received a Violate Promise to Appear?

The reason you received either of these two violations is not because you "Bail Jumped",  it is because you failed to report to the Court by your appear by date.  The appear by date is normally within 2 weeks of the date of the violation. 

The Failure to Appear/Bail Jumping (FTA) is when you have been released after the Officer has issued you a NON-MOVING violation such as a Expired Registration, Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance), or  Driving While License Invalid/No Driver's License, etc.

If you have a NON-MOVING violation such as Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, or Driving with expired/invalid Driver's License, or No Driver's License, this could result in your vehicle being Impounded by the Officer.

The Violate Promise to Appear (VPTA) is when you have been release after the Officer has issued you a MOVING violation, such as, Speeding, Disregarded Stop Sign, Passing in a No Passing Zone, etc.

These violations are issued by the Court 1 week after the Appear by Date.

How can I get my ticket dismissed?

If you have received a violation for Expired Registration, and within 30 days of the expiration date have renewed (got your registration sticker)  it could possible be dismissed for $20.00 with your paperwork. 

If the Expired Registration date is past the 30 days of the expired date and the date your received the citation it may not be dismissed.

Example: Ticket received 7/17/2024 and registration went out 6/2024, and you renewed your registration 7/25/2024, this can be dismissed with your registration renewal paperwork.

Example: Ticket received 7/17/2024 and registration went out 3/2024 (4 mths), and you renewed your registration 7/25/2024 this can not be dismissed.

if you receive a violation for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance), and you had insurance at the time of the stop, please provide proof and the Court will call and verify that there was coverage at the time of the stop, and the violation can be dismissed.  If there was no coverage at the time of the stop, this violation can not be dismissed.

I just got a ticket and I don't want it to go on my record. What can I do?

ANYONE WITH A CDL CAN NOT USE EITHER OF THESE OPTIONS.

PLEASE SEE >Departments > Court-Other Payment Options for more details on the following.

If you have received a NON-MOVING violation such as Expired Registration, Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance), or Driving While License Invalid/No Driver's License, etc.  These violation do not go on your record, but they can hinder your renewal of your Driver's License if not paid.  These violations could possible be Deferred, but to do a Deferral on these violations will add a additional fee of $50.00 to the existing fine amount. 

Example: A Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance) violation is $356.00 + $50.00 = $406.00 total to the Court.  This might be an option if this is your 2nd ticket on this violation.  After 2 or more Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (no insurance) violations you will have to file other paperwork to keep you license, and keep insurance for 2 years or more.  

If you have received a MOVING violation such as Speeding, Disregarded Stop Sign, or Passing in a No Passing Zone, etc.  These violations could be dismissed with an Court Approved Driver Safety Course.  

I did not deserve this ticket. I want to contest it. How can I do that?

1. You can call the Payne Springs Police Department and request an appointment to view the video.  903-451-6504

2.  If you know for certain you did not commit this violation, you can fill out a Plea Form and submit it to the Court in person or via email. court@payenspringstx.com .  Plea forms must only have one entry per violation.  Each violation must have a plea form.  If you have made a mistake and filled out all sections, please cross out, sign and date the mistake: Plea Example.

3.  If you have viewed the video and have seen that you did commit the violation, the Court does have other options.  Such as a Payment Plan, Driver Safety Course, and a Deferral Disposition.  If you are under 25 and wish to do a Deferral you will also have to complete a Driver Safety Course as well.  If you have a CDL these options are not available.