Municipal Court
Danny Spindle, Presiding Judge
Christy Punches, Court Administrator
Hours of Operation:
Monday -Thursday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 11:30 am
Location:
301 Bolivar Street
(entrance on 3rd Street, behind Police Department)
Contact Number:
940.458.7131
Fax Number:
940.458.3428
PAY FINES ONLINE: Click -> https://sangertx.municipalonlinepayments.com
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Sanger Municipal Court is to provide a fair and impartial trial; timely disposition of all cases in a prompt and courteous manner; and to ensure fair and equal treatment to all defendants.
COURT APPEARANCES
The law requires you to appear in court.If you were issued a citation, your appearance date is twenty (20) business days from the issue date of the citation.You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail or you may deliver your plea in person to the court.(Juveniles have a separate set of rules for their appearances.Please read the specific section on juveniles).
OPTIONS
You may plea Not Guilty, Guilty or No Contest.In order to plea not guilty you must appear at the clerk’s office within twenty (20) business days from the issue date of the citation to obtain a court date for a pre-trial hearing.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
If you are charged with a traffic offense, you may be eligible to ask the judge to take a driving safety course to dismiss the charge.You must request this in writing or in person within twenty (20) business days from the date of your citation.You are required to present your valid Texas Driver’s License and proof of insurance and pay court cost of $107.00 or $132.00 if offense occurred within a school zone. You do not qualify to take DSC if you have a commercial driver’s license; have completed the class within the last twelve (12) months; charged with speeding 25 mph over the posted speed limit or have committed one of the following offenses:
1)Failure to Give Information at Accident Scene
2)Leaving Scene of Accident
3)Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer
4)Reckless Driving
5)Passing School Bus
6)A serious traffic offense, which applies to commercial motor vehicle operators
7)An offense in a construction zone when workers are present
COMPLIANCE DISMISSALS
? No proof of financial responsibility (insurance)
-insurance must be valid when the citation was received.
? Expired Inspection Certificate
-may be dismissed if not expired more than sixty (60) days
-must pay $20.00 dismissal fee and must be remedied within the twenty (20) business days
? Expired Registration
-must pay the penalty fee at the tax office
-must pay $20.00 dismissal fee and must be remedied within the twenty (20) business days
? Expired Driver’s License
-must pay $20.00 dismissal fee and must be remedied within the twenty (20) business days
?Operate Motor Vehicle without License Plate or One Plate
-Remedied before your first appearance.
-Registration must be current during the period the offense was committed.
-Registration insignia must be attached to the vehicle before your first appearance.
-Must pay a $10.00 dismissal fee.
?Display Altered, Unclean or Obscured License Plate
-Remedied before your first appearance.
-Court may dismiss with a $10.00 dismissal fee.
?Fail Display Driver’s License
-Must show proof of a valid driver’s license at time of offense
-Must pay a $10.00 dismissal fee.
?Violate Driver’s License Restriction or Endorsement
-Must comply by your first appearance.
-Must pay a $10.00 dismissal fee.
?Operate Vehicle with Defective Required Equipment
-Remedied before your first appearance
-Must pay a $10.00 dismissal fee.
JUVENILES
The municipal court has jurisdiction over juveniles (16 years of age or younger) charged with a class C misdemeanor except public intoxication.All juveniles are required to appear in open court for all proceedings in their cases.The parent of a juvenile charged in municipal court must be present in court with their child.Juveniles who fail to appear or fail to pay their fine will be reported to the Department of Public Safety who will suspend or deny issuance of a driver’s license.Juveniles who disobey a court order may be found in contempt and assessed a fine not to exceed $500.00 or referred to juvenile court for contempt.
A child and parent required to appear before the court have an obligation to provide the court in writing with the current address and residence of the child.The obligation does not end when the child reaches age 17.On or before the seventh (7th) day after the date the child or parent changes residence, the child or parent shall notify the court of the current address in the manner directed by the court.A violation of this subsection may result in arrest and is a class C misdemeanor.The obligation to provide notice terminates on discharge and satisfaction of the judgment of final disposition not requiring a finding of guilt.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR CITATION CONTACT THE COURT AT 940.458.7131
