Deferred Disposition for Traffic Offenses
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Article 45.051) allows deferred disposition. With this option, your traffic ticket can be dismissed once you finish a probation period successfully, meaning you receive no new convictions during that time and you meet every condition in your deferral agreement.
Who Qualifies
To be eligible for deferred disposition:
- Ask for deferred disposition no later than the appearance date printed on your citation.
- You cannot have received deferred disposition from any court during the 12 months before the offense date on your current ticket.
- You must give up your right to a jury trial.
- Your plea to the charge must be guilty or no contest.
- During the 180-day deferral period, you may not get another moving violation in the City of Fredville.
- All amounts owed must be paid as ordered or on the schedule set by the court.
- Drivers under 25 must also complete a driving safety course to receive the deferral.
- Drivers with a provisional license must also pass a DPS examination.
- Most deferrals add $20 to the fine.
You can request deferred disposition online. If the online system does not offer you that choice, you do not qualify.
Who Does Not Qualify
- Drivers cited for going more than 29 mph above the posted speed limit.
- Drivers cited for going 90 mph or faster, whatever the posted limit.
- Drivers cited for failing to maintain financial responsibility (no proof of insurance) in connection with a crash.
If You Do Not Follow the Deferral Order
- Missing even one requirement of the deferral order means the court will enter a final judgment of “guilty,” and the violation will show up on your driving record.
- If you ask for deferred disposition but pay the wrong amount, or you turn out not to be eligible, deferral will be denied and the payment you sent (check or money order) will go toward the ticket.
Questions? Contact the Municipal Court.
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