Municipal Court

Judge Stafford
1015 11th Street, Hempstead, Texas 77445
Phone: (979) 826-8838 | Fax: (979) 921-0456
Email: municipalcourt@hempsteadcitytx.gov

Court Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm | Closed: 12:00pm -1:00pm (Lunch).

 Pay Citation Online

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 10:00a.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 below).

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.

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.

You may pay a municipal court fine in full online 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.

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.

• 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 and Thursdays mornings at 10:00am***
***Juvenile Court every second Tuesday at 9:00am***
May 23, 2023, Court Docket
 Pay A Ticket
 Plea Form