FINES AND COURT COSTS

The Municipal Court presides over Class C Misdemeanors with fine only punishments.  This means the Judge cannot sentence you to jail for a citation; the Judge can only assess a fine against you.  However, if you fail to appear before the Court when summoned for a Court appearance, the Judge can issue an arrest warrant for your failure to appear.

The amount of fine the court assesses is determined by the facts and circumstances of the case.  Mitigating circumstances may lower the fine, even if you are guilty.  On the other hand, aggravating circumstances may increase the fine.  The maximum fine for most municipal court traffic violations is $200.00 plus court costs; for misdemeanor state law violations it is $500.00 plus court costs; for certain city ordinance violations the max fine is $2,000.00 plus court costs.

Court Costs - The Legislature of the State of Texas sets the parameters for court costs.  The court costs assessed on a citation are determined based upon the statute violated in the particular citation.  The court costs have nothing to do with actually being in a courtroom.  Theses court costs can only be waived at the discretion of the Judge if the defendant is deemed to be indigent.
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There are several options available for payment of tickets/fines:

  • Payment by Mail:  full payment of amount due should be made prior to scheduled court date to:  P.O. Box 7765, Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
  • Payment online: https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/horseshoebaytx
  • Payment in Person:  our office hours are Monday-Friday; 8:00 - 5:00

If the payment is not made in full by the Court date, you MUST appear on your scheduled date.  The worst thing you can do is not show up for your court date.  Failure to appear may result in a warrant issued for your arrest.