Municipal Court

  Presiding Judge
Honorable Judge Hester

Warrant Officer
Candace Williams
Email: cwilliams@hempsteadcitytx.gov

Court Administrator
Jessica Hall
Email: jhall@hempsteadcitytx.gov

Court Clerk's
Justine Kluna
Email: jkluna@hempsteadcitytx.gov
Mayra Lopez
Email: mlopez@hempsteadcitytx.gov

  Court's Mailing Address
1015 11th Street, Hempstead, Texas 77445

Telephone
(979) 826-8838

Facsimile
(979) 921-0456

Email
municipalcourt@hempsteadcitytx.gov

Court Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm | Closed: 12:00pm -1:00pm (Lunch).
Hours subject to change due to weather, holidays, or unforeseen events. 

Welcome to the Hempstead Municipal Court home page. We are here to provide effective, efficient, and impartial service to all who participate in the local municipal court system. We have staff available to assist you through this process and will be able to provide you with your options, but may not provide any recommendations nor legal advice. 

We recognize the need to ensure the health and safety of those who visit the court. To accomplish this, the use of face coverings are encouraged as our lobby is extremely small. Hand sanitizer will be provided for you to use upon entering and exiting our lobby. The court requires that you NOT appear in person if you are experiencing any flu like symptoms or have come in contact with someone that was diagnosed COVID-19 positive within the previous 10 days. Please note that if you do not wish to comply with the court's minimum health standards protocols, you are welcome to take care of your business via mail or E-mail correspondence. 

The court is no longer holding court hearings via Zoom. You will be required to appear in person as scheduled on your court setting notice. 

Plea Reply Form   **PLEASE INITIAL YOUR PLEA** Print, fill out, sign and mail, fax, email, or bring in person to the Court.  This form may only be used for some of the options in handling your citations, for information on all options or if you have any questions please contact the Court.

If you have been charged with an offense, which is within the jurisdiction of the City of Hempstead Municipal Court, you must first make a plea and send it by mail, email, fax, or in person. The citation has to be handled on or before the court date on your citation.

If you wish to appear in person, or if you wish to provide extenuating circumstances for the Judge to consider when setting your fine, arraignments are held every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the City of Hempstead Municipal Court, 1015 11th Street. If you wish to take care of your citation by mail, please print the plea reply form (link provided above).

A Plea of GUILTY means that you admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and that you have no legal defense for your act. You should understand the following: You are innocent until proven guilty. Your plea of guilty may be used against you later in a civil suit. (e.g., if there was a traffic accident another party can say you were at fault or responsible for the accident because you pled guilty to the security or driver’s license number or enter the vehicle information to access a current account.

A Plea of NO CONTEST means that you do not contest the charge against you. You will almost certainly be found guilty, unless you are eligible and successfully complete a Driving Safety Course and/or Deferred Disposition. Also, a plea of no contest cannot be used against you in a subsequent civil suit for damages.

If you plead guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), you must include a waiver of a jury trial. The full fine may be paid by mail, on the website, by phone, or in person by cashier's check, money order or credit card. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

A Plea of NOT GUILTY means that you deny guilt or that you have a defense in your case, and the State must prove the charges against you. If you plead not guilty, you will need to decide whether to hire an attorney, or represent yourself.

If you plead NOT GUILTY, the court will schedule a pre-trial hearing, if not resolved, a jury trial unless you waive that right and then the trial will be before the judge. Jury trials are held as necessary. The court will send you a notice setting the date of your jury trial.

When making an online payment for a municipal court fine in full, using a Visa or MasterCard, a 5% processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments. You will be asked to give your citation number and date of birth; social security number or vehicle information to access a current account.

• If you desire to keep a violation off your driving record.
• Requesting a deferred disposition
  
• Any violation involving tobacco, alcohol, or assault family violence.
  
• Contesting the Ticket.
  
• Under the age of 18 at the time of the violation
  
• PERSONS IN JAIL-- YOU CANNOT USE THIS SERVICE TO PAY FOR A PERSON IN JAIL. 

Police officers cannot answer questions about fine amounts or court procedures. Do not call the Police Department—this matter is now under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.

**Appearing in Court**

Code of Conduct & Dress Codes for Court Appearances.

1. Please make sure you give yourself enough time to sign in at the front desk, before entering the courtroom at 9:00 am (Juveniles) 10:00 am (Regular Court).
2. All electronic devices shall be in silent mode when entering the courtroom. Violating the rule may result in the seizure of the device and or a fine. (No reading of newspapers, books, use of game systems, laptops, iPads, electronic books, or similar devices.)
3. No noise or talking that interferes with court proceedings. (Defendants and guests shall remain quiet during court proceedings ANYONE who disrupts or speaks aloud during court proceedings will be asked to sit in the lobby area until called into court.)
4. No food or drink permitted.
5. No tobacco use of any form.
6. No firearms, knives (of any blade length), multi-tools, mace/pepper spray, knuckles, etc. is prohibited. *If you are unsure, ask the bailiff about the item.*
7. The following clothing items are prohibited inside the courtroom:

•  Hats or caps (all types of headwear excluding religious headwear)
• Sunglasses
• Tube tops, halters, half shirts, muscle shirts, tank tops, or any shirt that allows the navel or bra to show
• Shorts
• Sagging pants (must be worn at the waist)
• Skirts or dresses shorter than the knee
• Any item of clothing that displays offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, gang-related, obscene language and or graphics
• Flip-flops, slides, house shoes or slippers

• Office of Court Administration Legal Aid Resources
• Office of Court Administration Self-Help
• Texas State Law

 
For general ticket and court information please call: (979) 826-8838
***Court is scheduled on Tuesdays mornings at 10:00am***
***Juvenile Court every second Tuesday at 9:00am***
April 16, 2024, Court Docket
 Pay A Ticket
Plea Form