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Dismissing Citations
Several types of traffic violations can be “dismissed for compliance.” These citations are listed below, along with the requirements for obtaining such a dismissal. Please be sure to include your citation number on any documents submitted to the Court.
If you had insurance or financial responsibility in effect at the time of the citation, you may bring or mail to the Court one of the following documents as proof:
Expired Motor Vehicle Registration DISMISSAL ($20.00 FEE APPLIES)
An expired motor vehicle registration citation can be dismissed if:
If you renew your driver’s license within 20 working days of the citation and present proof of renewal to the Court, the Court may assess a $20 administrative fee, per state law, and dismiss the citation. You may present or mail the $20 fee and a copy of your license renewal to the Court.
If you had a driver’s license that was valid at the time of the citation and appropriate for the vehicle you were operating at the time of the citation, and you present your driver’s license to the Court, the Court may assess a $10 administrative fee, per state law, and dismiss the citation. Please note that the license you present must show on its face that it was valid at the time of the citation; replacements for lost driver’s licenses issued after the date of the citation will not be accepted.
If you correct the license plate display or equipment violation before your initial appearance date (the 14th day after the date of the citation) and present proof of correction to the Court, the Court may assess an administrative fee of $10, per state law, and dismiss the citation.
State law allows drivers licensed in Texas the opportunity to take a Driving Safety Course
(also known as “defensive driving” or DSC) once a year to dismiss certain types of traffic citations. Follow the link to see if you qualify and if so how to register for a class.
There is no automatic administrative dismissal process by the judge for most of the violations filed in Municipal Court. You have the right to schedule your case for trial before a judge or a jury. If the judge or the jury finds that you are not guilty of the offense, you will be acquitted and will not be required to pay the citation. If the judge or the jury finds that you are guilty of the offense, you will be required to pay a fine set by the judge or jury that heard your case. Additionally, the Prosecutor for The City of Wichita Falls may offer a form of probation known as deferred disposition which can result in dismissal of the citation. Please contact the Wichita Falls Municipal Court Prosecutor's Office at 940.761.7675 for information on this program.
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No Insurance or Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility DISMISSAL
If you had insurance or financial responsibility in effect at the time of the citation, you may bring or mail to the Court one of the following documents as proof:
- Motor vehicle insurance card
- Motor vehicle insurance policy documents
- Motor vehicle insurance binder
- Surety bond certificate issued under Texas Transportation Code § 601.121
- Comptroller’s certificate of deposit issued under Texas Transportation Code § 601.122
- Judge’s certificate of deposit issued under Texas Transportation Code § 601.123
- Self-insurance certificate issued under Texas Transportation Code § 601.124
Expired Motor Vehicle Registration DISMISSAL ($20.00 FEE APPLIES)
An expired motor vehicle registration citation can be dismissed if:- You register the vehicle within 20 working days of the citation;
- You pay any late registration fees assessed by the county assessor-collector at the time of registration; AND
- You present proof of registration and late registration fee payment to the Court; the Court may assess a $20 administrative fee, per state law, and dismiss the citation. You may present or mail the $20 fee and proof of registration to the Court.
Expired Driver’s License DISMISSAL ($20.00 FEE APPLIES)
If you renew your driver’s license within 20 working days of the citation and present proof of renewal to the Court, the Court may assess a $20 administrative fee, per state law, and dismiss the citation. You may present or mail the $20 fee and a copy of your license renewal to the Court.
No Driver’s License in POSSESSION DISMISSAL ($10.00 FEE APPLIES)
If you had a driver’s license that was valid at the time of the citation and appropriate for the vehicle you were operating at the time of the citation, and you present your driver’s license to the Court, the Court may assess a $10 administrative fee, per state law, and dismiss the citation. Please note that the license you present must show on its face that it was valid at the time of the citation; replacements for lost driver’s licenses issued after the date of the citation will not be accepted.
LICENSE PLATE DISPLAY OR Equipment VIOLATION CORRECTION DISMISSAL ($10.00 FEE APPLIES)
If you correct the license plate display or equipment violation before your initial appearance date (the 14th day after the date of the citation) and present proof of correction to the Court, the Court may assess an administrative fee of $10, per state law, and dismiss the citation.
Traffic Violation DISMISSALS by COMPLETING A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE
State law allows drivers licensed in Texas the opportunity to take a Driving Safety Course
(also known as “defensive driving” or DSC) once a year to dismiss certain types of traffic citations. Follow the link to see if you qualify and if so how to register for a class.
All Other Violation Dismissals
There is no automatic administrative dismissal process by the judge for most of the violations filed in Municipal Court. You have the right to schedule your case for trial before a judge or a jury. If the judge or the jury finds that you are not guilty of the offense, you will be acquitted and will not be required to pay the citation. If the judge or the jury finds that you are guilty of the offense, you will be required to pay a fine set by the judge or jury that heard your case. Additionally, the Prosecutor for The City of Wichita Falls may offer a form of probation known as deferred disposition which can result in dismissal of the citation. Please contact the Wichita Falls Municipal Court Prosecutor's Office at 940.761.7675 for information on this program.
Back to Municipal Court Home Page