Maybe you planned to pay a traffic citation, request a hearing, or call the court, but work got busy, the paperwork disappeared, and the deadline passed, and now a glove compartment clean-out has you wondering whether the ticket is still open. Although an unresolved traffic citation in Texas can lead to additional court complications, including a possible warrant for failing to appear or otherwise comply with court requirements, discovering an old ticket doesn’t automatically mean you’ve run out of legal options, and it’s worth addressing sooner rather than later.
Begin by Identifying the Court Handling Your Case
Citations issued in El Paso County don’t all go through the same court. A ticket from an El Paso police officer may go to El Paso Municipal Court, whereas other citations may be handled by a Justice of the Peace court. The court named on your citation is a good place to start. Before making a payment or assuming a warrant exists, confirm the case status, applicable deadlines, and any outstanding court orders.} The Law Office of Robert Andrew Navar assists drivers with traffic citations, municipal court warrants, and related driver’s license concerns. An attorney can look over the available case information and explain which steps may be appropriate.}
Simply Paying the Fine Isn’t Always the Best Answer
Many drivers figure that paying a speeding ticket is the fastest way to be done with it. However, paying a citation can lead to a conviction being entered on the driver’s record. Depending on the driver’s circumstances and the offense, the conviction could raise insurance costs or lead to other licensing consequences. Although Texas eliminated its former Driver Responsibility Program in 2019, traffic convictions can still matter. Understanding the consequences before resolving a citation can help prevent an avoidable mistake, particularly since alternatives like a driving safety course or deferred disposition have specific eligibility requirements and aren’t available in every case.
What If You’ve Already Missed Your Court Date?
You should never ignore a missed required appearance. Circumstances permitting, a court may issue a warrant or take other enforcement action. Generally, an outstanding warrant needs to be addressed through the court that issued it. An attorney may be able to help figure out the warrant’s status, communicate with the right court, and explain the procedures available. The particular charge, court requirements, and circumstances determine whether a lawyer can appear on a client’s behalf.
Local Legal Help Can Make the Process Easier to Follow
Located on El Paso’s far east side, the Law Office of Robert Andrew Navar, Esq. is a bilingual law firm. Attorney Robert Navar handles traffic tickets, speeding citations, CDL-related matters, municipal court warrants, occupational driver’s licenses, and certain criminal matters. The firm also assists with expungements, nondisclosure orders, wills, and estate planning. Navar Law gives clients a chance to discuss their circumstances and learn which legal options may be available. The office provides free consultations and can be reached at trafficticketlawyerelpaso.com.
Take Care of the Citation Before It Grows Into a Bigger Problem
Forgetting about an old ticket doesn’t necessarily make it disappear. In the same way, paying immediately without looking at your options may not lead to the outcome you expected. Taking a traffic citation seriously, even though it may seem minor at first, can help protect your driving privileges and prevent unnecessary legal complications; start by identifying the court, verifying the case status, and understanding the possible consequences.