Municipal Court
The City of Vidor Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on North Hwy 105, (Main Street) in Vidor, Texas.
Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the City Council Chambers / Municipal Courtroom.
Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the City Council Chambers / Municipal Courtroom.
CONTESTED DOCKET:
PRE-Trial Hearings:
1st & 3rd Tuesday morning of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Jury Trials & Bench Trials:
Set as needed
ARRAIGNMENT (UNCONTESTED DOCKET):
2nd, 4th, & 5th Tuesday of each Month
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday:
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday:
3:00 p.m.
Friday:
9:00 a.m.
Mission Statement:
Our goal is to provide a professional atmosphere and a neutral, fair, and impartial forum for all Class C misdemeanor offenses arising under Texas state statute and city ordinance filed within the jurisdiction of the Vidor Municipal Court.
The Judge of this Court is appointed by the Vidor City Council to preserve and uphold the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution, the ordinances of this city, and the laws of this state.
The three separate but equal branches of government are the Executive branch (City administrator and all departments including the Police Department), the Legislative branch (The City Council), and the Judicial branch. The Municipal Court and its officers represent the Judicial branch of the City of Vidor government.
This Court is committed in its role as the Judicial branch of our community’s local government and its officers are dedicated to the principles of impartiality, fairness, integrity, separation of powers, and judicial independence.
The Judge of this Court is appointed by the Vidor City Council to preserve and uphold the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution, the ordinances of this city, and the laws of this state.
The three separate but equal branches of government are the Executive branch (City administrator and all departments including the Police Department), the Legislative branch (The City Council), and the Judicial branch. The Municipal Court and its officers represent the Judicial branch of the City of Vidor government.
This Court is committed in its role as the Judicial branch of our community’s local government and its officers are dedicated to the principles of impartiality, fairness, integrity, separation of powers, and judicial independence.
A telephone call to the Court does not constitute an appearance.
Walking up to the Court cashier window and asking questions does not constitute an appearance.
Appearances can be made in two ways:
1. In person
2. By mail (fax, e-mail, and the drop-box are considered mail) There are some cases in which you cannot appear by mail and this will be explained below.
2. By mail (fax, e-mail, and the drop-box are considered mail) There are some cases in which you cannot appear by mail and this will be explained below.
Please Read
An initial appearance on a citation (violation), on which you have NOT entered a plea, must be made by either yourself or your attorney. You cannot send a friend or family member to enter a plea for you and pay your citation.
The law requires that you appear in Court on your cases. If you were issued a citation, your appearance date and time is noted on the citation. If you were issued or mailed a summons, your appearance date and time is indicated in the summons. If you have been released on bond, you may call the Court office to schedule an appearance date or you (and your bondsman if applicable) will be mailed a bond hearing notice with your date and time to appear. In most circumstances you may appear by mail rather than in open Court. We give everyone a ten (10) business day grace period when appearing by mail or in person to take care of a citation. As stated previously, if you wish to appear in Court before the Judge, you MUST be on the Court docket. Walk ins will not be added to the Court session on the day of Court.
Circumstances in which you CANNOT appear by mail are:
You are a juvenile (10-16 years of age). All juveniles MUST appear in open Court on all violations with a parent or legal guardian pursuant to state law.
You are a minor (17-20) charged with an alcohol or tobacco related offense.
You have been mailed a Court summons ordering you to appear before the Judge for a show cause hearing, contempt hearing, indigent hearing, bond hearing, pre-trial hearing, or a trial, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Court.
You have received an official court summons or subpoena ORDERING you to appear in open Court, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Court.
If you were cited for multiple violations or are already on a payment plan and/or deferred disposition with the Court, it is best to go ahead and appear before the Judge in open Court.
You are a minor (17-20) charged with an alcohol or tobacco related offense.
You have been mailed a Court summons ordering you to appear before the Judge for a show cause hearing, contempt hearing, indigent hearing, bond hearing, pre-trial hearing, or a trial, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Court.
You have received an official court summons or subpoena ORDERING you to appear in open Court, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Court.
If you were cited for multiple violations or are already on a payment plan and/or deferred disposition with the Court, it is best to go ahead and appear before the Judge in open Court.
The Initial appearance
The first thing the Judge will ask you when you appear in open Court for the first time on a citation is how you want to plea to each violation you are charged with, this is called arraignment.
Failing to enter an appearance on your citation, either in person or by mail if applicable, will result in the issuance of a failure to appear or violate promise to appear and warrants for your arrest.
The City of Vidor Municipal Court is located in the rear of the City Hall Municipal Building on North Hwy 105, (Main Street) in Vidor, Texas.
Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the City Council Chambers / Municipal Courtroom.
Official Court proceedings are held at the City Hall Municipal Building in the City Council Chambers / Municipal Courtroom.
CONTESTED DOCKET:
PRE-Trial Hearings:
1st & 3rd Tuesday morning of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Jury Trials & Bench Trials:
Set as needed
ARRAIGNMENT (UNCONTESTED DOCKET):
2nd, 4th, & 5th Tuesday of each Month
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday:
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday:
3:00 p.m.
Friday:
9:00 a.m.
Mission Statement:
Our goal is to provide a professional atmosphere and a neutral, fair, and impartial forum for all Class C misdemeanor offenses arising under Texas state statute and city ordinance filed within the jurisdiction of the Vidor Municipal Court.
The Judge of this Court is appointed by the Vidor City Council to preserve and uphold the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution, the ordinances of this city, and the laws of this state.
The three separate but equal branches of government are the Executive branch (City administrator and all departments including the Police Department), the Legislative branch (The City Council), and the Judicial branch. The Municipal Court and its officers represent the Judicial branch of the City of Vidor government.
This Court is committed in its role as the Judicial branch of our community’s local government and its officers are dedicated to the principles of impartiality, fairness, integrity, separation of powers, and judicial independence.
The Judge of this Court is appointed by the Vidor City Council to preserve and uphold the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution, the ordinances of this city, and the laws of this state.
The three separate but equal branches of government are the Executive branch (City administrator and all departments including the Police Department), the Legislative branch (The City Council), and the Judicial branch. The Municipal Court and its officers represent the Judicial branch of the City of Vidor government.
This Court is committed in its role as the Judicial branch of our community’s local government and its officers are dedicated to the principles of impartiality, fairness, integrity, separation of powers, and judicial independence.
Representing Yourself In Court
It is always best to have a lawyer. The law and court proceedings are complicated, and lawyers have legal training. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options and help get the best result possible in your case. Sometimes even simple matters can have consequences that you are not aware of or do not understand.
If you are representing yourself in a case, or thinking about doing so, the following links may help you:
If you are representing yourself in a case, or thinking about doing so, the following links may help you:
Court Dress Code
Court check in begins 30 minutes prior to the session time. Dress code is strictly enforced. Click the following link for Courtroom dress code and decorum (rules).
Defendants that arrive late or are not dressed appropriately will be rescheduled.
pdf Court Dress Code
pdf Courtroom Rules
Defendants that arrive late or are not dressed appropriately will be rescheduled.
pdf Court Dress Code
pdf Courtroom Rules
Legal Advice
The Municipal Court cannot give legal advice of any nature.
Court personnel are allowed to explain Court proceedings and procedures regarding misdemeanor cases filed in this Court only.
If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.
Court personnel are allowed to explain Court proceedings and procedures regarding misdemeanor cases filed in this Court only.
If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.