Q.    When does the time payment fee apply for deferred disposition?

A.    The judgment for deferrred or a driving safety course assessing the fine and court costs is not entered until the end of the period when the defendant has failed to complete the driving safety course or comply with the terms of deferred following an opportunity for a show cause hearing. The time payment fee is then applied on the 31st day after judgment is entered assessing the fine, court costs, or restitution. (Section 133.103, Local Government Code). After the court enters that final judgment, the court starts counting the next day as Day 1. If the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the 30th day is pushed out to the next working day, although that policy may be subject to different interpretation by your city attorney or legal department.  On the next day, the 31st day, the time payment fee is due.

Q.    What is a moving violation?  Which moving violations are assessed DPS Points?

A.    The Department of Public Safety defines "moving violation" in the Texas  Administrative Code as “an act committed in connection with the operation of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway, which constitutes a hazard to traffic and is prohibited by state law or city ordinance.” The Administrative Code also provides a list of 178 offenses that constitute moving violations for which points are assessed. A complete list may be found on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

Q.      What information is necessary to be included on a notice to appear or traffic citiation?