Plea, Pay, Contest
Under our justice system, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
Plea of Guilty
By a plea of Guilty, you admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and that you have no defense or excuse for your act.
A plea of Guilty may be used against you later in a civil suit 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 traffic charge).
Plea of Nolo Contendere or No Contest
A plea of No Contest means that you do not contest the State’s charge against you. You will almost certainly be found guilty, unless you are eligible and successfully complete a driving safety course and/or court-ordered probation. A plea of No Contest cannot be used against you in a subsequent civil suit.
WAYS TO PLEA
- IN PERSON – 298 W Washington St, Stephenville TX, 76401 , Monday - Friday 8am -5pm
- ONLINE *HERE*
- POSTAL MAIL – Mail in your total payment, Plea Form, and Copy of Driver's License (Option not applicable to juveniles & Minors). PERSONAL CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
If you are financially unable to pay a fine and/or court cost in full (one payment), there are other options, such as time-payment plans and performing community service hours instead of paying the fine and court costs. In certain situations, in which a person cannot perform community service and that person is financially unable (Indigent) to pay their fine and court cost on a time payment plan the Court will hear sworn testimony and look at evidence concerning your financial situation to help you resolve this matter. In certain severe situations the judge can reduce the fine and court costs or eliminate them completely, depending on the severity of your financial situation. Should you have any questions regarding these options, please contact the Court.
PLEAD NOT GUILTY (PRE-TRIAL)
A plea of Not Guilty means that you are informing the court that you deny guilt or that you have a defense in your case and that the State must prove what it has charged against you. You must enter a plea of Not Guilty to contest the charge that has been filed against you. *Plea Form*
Your plea of Not Guilty must be in writing and may be submitted to the court in person or by emailing the court at skibler@stephenvilletx.gov
Once your plea of Not Guilty has been received by the court you will be set up to attend a mandatory pre-trial hearing.
The pre-trial hearing is for the city prosecutor and the defendant to have an opportunity to discuss available options to resolve the case. If the case is unresolved after the pre-trial hearing, you have the right to a trial. Your case will be set for a Jury Trial unless you waive that right and request a trial be for the Judge (Bench Trial). Your trial will not be held the same date as the initial pre-trial hearing. Your trial will be scheduled for a future date, and you will be given written notice of the date and time to appear.
