Municipal Court

3845 Cartwright Road
Missouri City, Texas 77459
281-261-4245 or 281-403-8669
Fax 281-403-8987

For your convenience the Court has an Interactive Voice Response System which allows you to obtain ticket information without speaking with an operator 24 hours a day. 281-261-4245.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Court is closed weekends and major holidays.

A drop box for fine payments is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The drop box is located on the front of the building to the left of the front entrance.

On-Line Court Payments

Mission

The mission of Municipal Court is to treat the citizens who appear in Municipal Court in a courteous and efficient manner and assure them of a fair, impartial and timely disposition of their cases; to prepare cases for court (either jury or nonjury trials) including the subpoena of witnesses, issue capias and warrants for failure to appear and to maintain defensive driving and time payment files and collect all fines for the court.

Jurisdiction

The Missouri City Municipal Court is a non record criminal court established pursuant to the Government Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure of the State of Texas, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Missouri City, Texas. The Court has exclusive original jurisdiction within the territorial limits of the City in all criminal cases that arise under the ordinances of the City and are punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 in cases that govern fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation (including dumping of refuse), and up to $500 in all other cases arising under a municipal ordinance.

The Court has concurrent jurisdiction with a justice of the peace court of a precinct in which the City is located in all criminal cases arising under State law that arise within the territorial limits of the City and are punishable by "fine only" of any amount. "Fine only" means punishable by fine and such sanctions as authorized by statute not consisting of confinement in jail or imprisonment that are rehabilitative or remedial in nature.

The Court also has jurisdiction in the forfeiture and final judgment of all bail bonds and personal bonds taken in criminal cases of which the Court has jurisdiction. The Court also has the power to punish for contempt by a fine of not more than $100 or confinement in the City jail for not more than three days, or both such a fine and confinement in jail. Court Schedule Arraignment dockets, where defendants appear to enter pleas of guilty, not guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Non-jury trials are held at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each Thursdays of the month. Jury trials are scheduled at 8:15 a.m. on Friday's each month.

Information Regarding Your Citation

Please allow ten (10) days from the violation date before contacting the court.

Your signature on the citation which you received is not a plea of guilty.

• You do have the right to appear in Court and contest the charge filed against you, and you have the right to a trial by either a Judge or a jury.
• Payment of fines, except for juveniles, is accepted by mail, Internet or drop box.
• If making a court appearance, bring the copy of the ticket with you.
• If the violator is 16 years of age or under, they must appear in Court and must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
• All convictions for moving violations are reported to Texas Department of Public Safety Records Division.
• Unless you appear in court or make payment on or before your arraignment day, an additional charge may be filed against you and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
• You may also be denied renewal of your Texas Driver's License.

Courtroom Standards

While your case is proceeding through the court system, please observe the following standards:

• No weapons are permitted in the Municipal court building or any other City building.
• Sit quietly in the courtroom whenever court is in session.
• Reading newspapers in the courtroom, particularly if this causes a distraction, generally is not allowed.
• When addressing the Judge, stand a few feet back from the bench. Do not lean on the bench. No food, drink or gum chewing is allowed in the courtroom.
• Smoking is prohibited by law in all areas of City buildings. when you are free to leave the courtroom, you will find smoking areas available outside the court building.
• Avoid bringing small children to court. If you must, please monitor their behavior so they remain quiet at all times. Parents may be asked to leave the courtroom if their child becomes noisy or unruly.
• Please wear suitable clothing to court. It is inappropriate to enter the courtroom unless you are wearing at least a T-shirt, pants and shoes. T-shirts that carry offensive slogans or pictures are not allowed. No shorts. No tank tops. No shirttails out.
• Hats should be removed before entering a courtroom.
• No cell phones.