www.HoustonTicketDefender.com

I missed my court date and now I have a warrant. What can I do?
Answer: Contact us about posting a bond, lifting the warrant and getting a new court date.

I was mailed a traffic citation, can they do this?
Answer: Yes. This happens most often with accident cases. Most of the time the delay is the result of the officer finishing the investigation before deciding who to cite.

How serious is a traffic ticket?
Answer: A traffic ticket in Texas is a class “C” misdemeanor. It is the least serious criminal offense, and is punishable by fine only. Although class “C” misdemeanors are “fine only” offenses and not punishable by jail time, there are other hidden consequences for convictions of certain violations. These hidden consequences may include license suspensions and/or higher insurance rates.

What is a moving violation?
Answer: A Moving violation is defined by Texas law as an act committed in connection with the operation of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway, which constitutes a hazard to traffic and is prohibited by state law or city ordinance.

How do traffic tickets affect my driving privilege?
Answer: That depends on the particular violation. Some traffic violations will have no affect. A conviction for some violations however may result in one or more of the following:

1. Higher insurance rates
2. A possible license suspension.

What happens if I miss court?
Answer: One or more of the following may happen:
1. An additional charge of Violate Promise to Appear may be filed against you.
2. Warrants may be issued for your arrest.
3. You may be entered into the DPS Failure to Appear Database (otherwise known as the OMNI System) so that you will not be able to renew your license.

Why won’t DPS renew my license??
Answer: If you have ever missed a court date, then it is possible that you owe DPS fees (otherwise known as OMNI fees). This may be the case even if you have posted bonds and all warrants have been lifted or even if the case has been disposed of entirely.

What is the DPS or OMNI fee?
Answer: When you miss a court date, the court may enter you into the DPS Failure to Appear database so that you cannot renew your license. Each charge that the court enters generates a fee of $30.00 that is passed on to you. This fee is in addition to any fines or court costs associated with your case. For example, if you have a speeding violation and expired inspection violation (2 charges), and you miss your court date, a third charge of Failure to Appear may be filed against you. The court may enter the speeding and expired inspection violations into the system which means you would have to pay $60.00 in DPS fees before you could renew your drivers license. Some courts, although they’re not supposed to do so, erroneously enter the Failure to Appear violation which, in this example, would amount to $90.00. The Failure to Appear violation really should not be entered because you failed to appear on the speeding and expired inspection charges, but you did not fail to appear on the Failure to Appear charge. It was filed as a result of your Failure to appear on the speeding and inspection charges.

Where do I pay the DPS or OMNI fee?
Answer: At the court where the cases were filed.

When can I pay the DPS or OMNI fee?
Answer: By law the fee may be paid upon the posting of a bond or other security to reinstate the charge or charges, a judgement or dismissal. Once the fee is paid, the court clerk notifies DPS with a clearance letter. Once DPS receives the clearance, it usually takes several days for them to clear you out of the database. Many court personnel take the position that you cannot pay the fee until the final disposition of your case or cases. However, this position is incorrect and contrary to state law.

How do I know if I have been entered into the Failure to Appear Database or OMNI System?
Answer: Call the toll free number for the Failure to Appear Database at 1-800-686-0570 or go to http://www.texasfailuretoappear.com/search.php.

How do I get cleared from the Failure to Appear Database (OMNI) so that I can renew my drivers license?
Answer: Post a bond with the court and pay your $30 fees. See Texas Transportation Code Sections 706.005 and 706.006 at www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.706.htm.

Answer: In Texas, like all other Class “C” violations, the statute of limitations on traffic violations is two years. This does not mean that violations over two years old are just dropped. It does mean that if the state fails to file a complaint within two years of the violation, then it is barred from prosecution by the two year statute of limitations. The complaint is not the citation issued by the officer. The complaint is the charging instrument for a Class "C" misdemeanor. It is a formal sworn document filed with the court alleging an offense. The statute of limitations starts running on the date of the violation. Only the filing of the complaint stops or tolls the statute of limitations. So, if a violation occurs and two years elapse without the complaint being filed, then it is barred from prosecution. If a complaint is filed within two years of the violation date, even if it is filed on the last day of the two year period, then it can still be prosecuted even after two years from the date of the violation.

If you have questions about your traffic ticket or other violation in Houston Municipal Court, Contact Attorney Charles French at (713) 880-3355.