Court Appearances
FAILURE TO APPEAR for your hearing or FAILURE TO PAY OR MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS may result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest, a charge of Failure to Appear (see Texas Penal Code 38.10) is punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 plus costs and fees, and additional warrant fees assessed to your original charges.
The law requires you to make an appearance on your case. Your appearance date is noted on your citation.
Court dates are typically scheduled for the first and third Thursday of the month at 3:00 pm. You must be scheduled on the docket prior to appearing in court.
Court dates are typically scheduled for the first and third Thursday of the month at 3:00 pm. You must be scheduled on the docket prior to appearing in court.
There are several ways to appear:
- You or your attorney may appear in person during open court*
- You may deliver your plea in writing*
- A payment constitutes a plea of no contest, a waiver of jury trial, and a waiver of discovery*
* If you choose to enter a plea of not guilty on your case you must appear in person during open court. See pleas for more information on entering a not guilty plea on your citation.
Minors and Juveniles
Juveniles and persons charged with status offenses must appear in person on his or her scheduled court date.
Juvenile – A juvenile is any person under the age of 17. Juveniles must appear in person on his or her scheduled court date with a parent or legal guardian.
Status Offense – A status offense describes an offense that relates to the age of the defendant. Defendants charged with a status offense must appear in court on his or her scheduled court date.
Examples of status offenses:
Examples of status offenses:
- Minor in Consumption of Alcohol
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol
- Driving Under the Influence – Minor
- Minor in Possession of Tobacco
- Failure to Attend School
- Any other offense that is illegal because of the age of the person at the time of the offense.
Court Dress Code
Proper dress is required in the courtroom. The court reserves the right to refuse to hear any case from those who fail to abide by the dress code. Proper attire does not include: hats, caps, bandanas, bare feet, flip flops, revealing clothing, ripped or torn clothing, heavily soiled clothing, obscene clothing, or visible undergarments.
Re-Scheduling Court Dates
You are allowed a one-time re-schedule of your court date. To receive the re-set you must provide a written request to the court stating your name, your citation number, the date you wish your case to be re-set to, and your signature. The request must be received by the court prior to your scheduled court time. The court will only approve one re-set and the court will only approve a postponement for one court date later.
Requesting a Court Date
If for any reason you need to request an additional court date beyond your scheduled court date you must provide a written request to the court stating your name, your citation number, the date you wish your case to be re-set to, and your signature.
Court and Court Clerk’s Office Location
The Van Alstyne Municipal Court is located at 242 N. Preston Ave, Van Alstyne, TX 75495 (located inside the Police Department) and a clerk is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to assist you.
