Municipal Court

Contact: Brenda J. Klingle, Court Administrator
Phone: 281.326.4413, ext.10
Fax: 281.326.0165

Municipal Court Information

The Municipal Court is here to serve you. Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Court is located inside the El Lago City Hall at 98 Lakeshore Drive in El Lago. This is the location where all El Lago Municipal Court proceedings take place including Arraignments, Show Cause Hearings, Pretrial, Trial by Judges and Jury Trials. Except for Jury Trials, Municipal Court proceedings are conducted on Tuesday evenings either at 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. depending on the type of hearing.

If you would like to appear BEFORE your initial appointed court date provided on your citation, you may do so for the following circumstances:

1. To pay your fine.
2. To set up a payment plan schedule (all fines NOT paid in full within 30 days will include an additional $25.00 fee for EACH violation).
3. To request the driver safety course.
4. To request a continuance or to reset your court date (allowed one time only). Your request MUST be in writing with your signature, include a daytime contact phone number and new court setting assigned by the court. The court must receive this request no later than 4:00 p.m. on the date of your scheduled hearing. Leaving a phone message does NOT constitute an appearance in court or allow a reset of your court date.

More Municipal Court Information

• Your signature on the citation you received is not a plea of guilty.
• You must appear in person on the court date you were given on your citation or make arrangements for disposition of the charge(s) prior to your court date.
• You have the right to appear in court and contest the charge(s) brought against you.  You have the right to a trial by Judge or a jury trial.
• Payment of fines (except for juveniles or minors charged with alcohol or tobacco related offenses) are accepted by mail, by person in the court office or in the night depository by the front door of city hall (when using the drop please pay by check, cashiers check or money orders only).
• If you are charged with any offense and you are 16 years of age or younger, you must appear in court accompanied by your parent or legal guardian.
• All traffic and minor alcohol/tobacco convictions are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety Records Division.
• Unless you appear in court or make disposition of the charges brought against you in the court office on or before your arraignment, an additional charge of "Failure to Appear" may be filed against you and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.  You may also be denied the renewal of your driver's license.
• Fines for traffic offense range up to $200.00 plus state and court fees.  Penal code violations range up to $500.00 plus state and court fees.  El Lago City Code violations range up to $2,000.00.

Rules and Regualtions of the Court

NO TALKING WHILE COURT IS IN SESSION

COURTROOM BEHAVIOR - All Persons will show respect for the court. If persons other than the defendant attend court proceedings, they will also abide by the rules and regulations. If you must have children accompany you to court, they need to be under control at all times. If they are disruptive during the proceedings, you will be asked to wait (outside) until all other cases have been resolved.

CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - All cell phones, pagers or electronic devices must not be utilized (this includes text messaging) during court proceedings.  You may put them on vibrate or turn them off until court is dismissed.

COURT ATTIRE - No hats or caps of any type shall be permitted in the courtroom.  All persons must wear shoes. Absolutely no tank tops, halter tops, bare midriffs, short dresses, skirts or shorts allowed when appearing for court appearances.

Court accepts payment in the form of cash, money orders or check. If someone other than the defendant is paying with a check, they will need to provide a valid/current drivers license.

Driver Safety Course (formerly known at Defensive Driving)

Defendant may request Driver Safety Course in PERSON or by MAIL.

If you have received a moving violation, you may be eligible to complete a driving safety course and have your violation dismissed. The Court MUST approve your request prior to you taking the course. The requirements are as follows:

1. Present to the court a valid Texas driver’s license or be a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty. (Commercial License holders may NOT take driving safety for dismissal of a violation.)
2. Present to the court proof of Insurance (name must appear on policy).
3. Present to the court a certified copy of driving record maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days.
4. Has not completed a driving safety course or motorcycle operator training course within twelve months nor be in the process of taking a course that is not yet reflected on your driving record.
5. The violation, which you are charged, cannot be for speeding 25 miles an hour or more over the posted speed limit.
6. You must pay the the State Tax and Processing fee which is $103.00 or, if Speeding Violation occurred in a School Zone, the fee is $128.00.

If you were cited for any of the following, you are not eligible to take driving safety:

1. Speeding 25 mph or more above the posted speed limit.
2. Failure to maintain financial responsibility.
3. Leaving the scene of a collision.
4. Passing a school bus.
5. Cited while driving in a Construction Zone when workers were present.

If you fail to comply, a Show Cause Hearing will be set to explain to the Judge why you failed to show proof of completion. If you do not complete or submit the Driver's Safety Course Certificate and Driving Record by the 90th day, a $200.00 fine will be assessed.