Online Reference Guide

For tickets received in Matagorda County, Texas (change county)

Including the Municipal Courts in Bay City and Palacios
as well as the Justice of the Peace Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Below you will find information about court locations, traffic school elections and fighting a ticket in court as well as all of the necessary forms you need.

	Ready for a Driver Safety Course?

Select one of the following options:

Pay the Ticket in full
By just paying the fine, you plead guilty to the ticket and points will be assessed on your license. This adjudication will appear on your driving record and your insurance may be affected and/or cancelled.

Elect a Defensive Driving Course
By electing a defensive driving course, you pay for the ticket but points are NOT assessed on your license. This adjudication will be WITHHELD on your driving record and your insurance CANNOT be effected as long as you were not at fault in a crash.

Contest the Ticket in Court
If you choose to contest the ticket, you may be eligible to have your ticket dismissed upon successful completion of a deferred disposition. You must appear in person at one of the court locations to determine eligibility for this option.

Know the Facts

Click on any of the topics below to learn more.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Texas law gives you three options regarding your citation. You must enter a plea by the appearance date located at the bottom of your citation, or be subject to a late fee and other possible actions including suspension of your driver license. Even if you feel you deserved the ticket, you may elect a driver safety course to keep it off your record, avoid the points and prevent the violation from raising your insurance rates.

COURT LOCATIONS


Bay City Municipal Court 1824 6th St. Bay City, TX 77414	Palacios Municipal Court 311 Henderson St. Palacios, TX 77465	Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Hon. Jeanette Bell 1700 7th St. Rm. 201 Bay City, TX 77414

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Hon. Suzan Thompson P.O. Box 656 Matagorda, TX 77457	Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Hon. Jerry Purvis 405 Commerce St. Palacios, TX 77465	Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Hon. Aaron Green P.O. Box 508 Markham, TX 77456	Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 Hon. Ray Taggart 22001 FM 457 Bay City, TX 77414

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

none available

PAY YOUR TICKET

Online Payments for Bay City Municipal Court	Online Payments for Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1
Online Payments for Palacios Municipal Court	Online Payments for Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2
	Online Payments for Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3
	Online Payments for Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4
	Online Payments for Matagorda County Justice of the Peace Precinct 6

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY APPROVED COURSE

Simple steps:

Texas Defensive Driving

1. Tell the Clerk of Court or Judge that you wish to complete a defensive driving class or driver safety course.
2. Complete a course & get a certificate of completion back to the clerk or judge before the deadline they give you.

(Usually you have 60 or 90 days to complete a course and file your certificate of completion)

Only one election per 12 month period. CDL drivers are eligible only by a court order.