Got a Harris County traffic ticket?
Here are your options.
This guide covers Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts — not Houston Municipal Court. If your ticket was issued within the City of Houston, see our Houston ticket guide instead.
Harris County has two separate court systems. If your ticket was issued within City of Houston limits, it goes to Houston Municipal Court (different fees, different process). If your ticket was issued in unincorporated Harris County or a smaller Harris County city, it goes to a Harris County Justice of the Peace Court. This page covers Harris County JP Courts only.
Go to the Houston ticket guideYour specific precinct court handles your case. Before doing anything else, find your court and your appearance date using the Harris County JP Courts case search.
Find my case and court dateIf your ticket is for transporting a child not secured in a child passenger safety seat or safety belt, you may qualify for a Specialized Driving Safety Course focused on child passenger safety. The requirements and fee are similar to standard DSC. See the Specialized DSC section below for details.
Choose this if you...
- Have a valid Texas license (not CDL)
- Have not taken DSC in the past 12 months for a citation dismissal
- Want a clear 90-day deadline with a fixed cost ($144)
- Your violation qualifies (not 25+ mph over, not school bus, etc.)
Choose this if you...
- Want to avoid taking a driving course (if over 25 and eligible)
- Understand this is at the judge's discretion — not guaranteed
- Are willing to comply with court conditions for up to 180 days
- Your violation is not in a construction zone and you don't hold a CDL
Option A — Driver Safety Course
Step 0 — Find your Harris County JP Court
All documents, applications, and completed course paperwork must go to your specific precinct court — not a central Harris County office.
Search for your case and courtAm I eligible for DSC?
You must also have: a valid Texas Driver's License or permit (or active military duty status, or be the spouse or dependent child of an active duty member), AND proof of automobile liability insurance.
How much does DSC cost?
| Applies to | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Offenses committed on or after January 1, 2020 | $144.00 |
Contact your specific precinct court to confirm the applicable fee for your citation date.
Starting January 1, 2008, the court may pay the $12 fee to obtain your driving record directly. If the court obtains your record and it shows you have not completed DSC in the past 12 months, you will be allowed to proceed. If the court obtains your record, you may not need to provide your own — confirm with your precinct court.
You must receive a written Order from the court before enrolling in or completing any driving safety course. The court can revoke or deny your DSC option if you take the course before approval.
How to complete DSC — step by step
Go to jp.hctx.net and use "Find My Case and Court Date" to locate your specific precinct court. Note your appearance date — all requests must be submitted on or before this date.
You must: (1) enter a plea of guilty or no contest, (2) waive your right to a trial by jury, (3) submit a DSC Request Form, (4) show your valid Texas Driver's License or permit, and (5) provide proof of automobile liability insurance. Apply online at jp.hctx.net, by mail, or in person at your specific precinct court.
Pay $144 (for offenses on or after January 1, 2020) at the time of your request. Online payments accepted at jp.hctx.net. In person: cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit card. By mail: cashier's check or money order payable to the Justice of the Peace — include your precinct and place number.
The court will defer judgment for 90 days after approving your request. Do not enroll in or take any course until you receive this Order.
Any TDLR-approved course is accepted. Online and in-person options are available. You have 90 days from your approval date to complete it.
If the court did not obtain your driving record directly via the $12 fee, you must provide it yourself. Order a Type 3A certified driving record online instantly, or by mail using the DPS DR-1 form.
Order online at texas.gov Mail-in order form (DR-1)On or before the 90th day, submit by mail or in person to your specific precinct court (not a central office): (1) signed Certificate of Completion — Court Copy, (2) your driving record showing no DSC in the past 12 months (unless the court already obtained it), and (3) your notarized DSC Affidavit. Fax and email are not listed as accepted methods — mail or in person only. Certified mail is recommended. Keep copies of everything.
You must instead submit a Military Affidavit (different form) stating you were not taking a course in another state at the time of your request and have not completed one in the past 12 months.
Specialized DSC — child safety seat violations
If your ticket is specifically for transporting a child who was not secured in a child passenger safety seat system or not secured by a safety belt, you may qualify for a Specialized Driving Safety Course instead of (or in addition to) the standard DSC.
- You MAY take the Specialized DSC even if you are currently taking a standard DSC, or completed one in the past 12 months — as long as those courses did not include child safety seat instruction
- You are NOT eligible if you hold a CDL
- You are NOT eligible if the offense was in a construction zone with workers present
- The fee and 90-day completion deadline are the same as standard DSC ($144)
- You must submit a Specialized DSC Request Form (confirm which form applies with your court)
- Submit a Specialized DSC Affidavit upon completion
- Military members use a Specialized Military Affidavit
Forms and documents to download
Download DSC Request Form
Download DSC Affidavit
Download Military DSC Affidavit
Download Specialized DSC Request Form
Download Specialized DSC Affidavit
Download Specialized Military Affidavit
Download Traffic Ticket Reply Form
View all forms at jp.hctx.net
Order at texas.gov
Download DR-1 form (PDF)
How to apply and where to submit
Apply for DSC and pay court costs online. Also use to find your case, court date, and fine amount.
Apply online at jp.hctx.net
American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and e-check accepted.
Mail DSC Request Form, documents, and cashier's check or money order payable to "Justice of the Peace." Write your precinct and place number on the payment. No cash by mail.
Mail to your specific precinct court — find the address at jp.hctx.net. Certified mail recommended.
Visit your specific precinct court. Cash, cashier's check, money order, debit card, and major credit cards accepted.
Find your precinct court location
Completed documents (certificate, driving record, affidavit) must be submitted to your specific precinct court. There is no central Harris County submission office. If you are unsure which court, search your case at jp.hctx.net.
What happens if you miss your 90-day deadline
The court will notify you by mail of a time and place to appear and show cause why the evidence was not submitted on time. Failure to appear, or failure to show good cause, results in the fine being imposed immediately. Failure to appear at the show cause hearing is a separate offense punishable by a fine up to $200. The court may, for good cause, extend the time to submit your certificate.
Option B — Deferred Disposition
What is Deferred Disposition?
Deferred Disposition (formally called Suspension of Sentence and Deferral of Final Disposition) is a probation-based option. You plead guilty or no contest and pay court costs. The Justice of the Peace places you on probation for a period not to exceed 180 days, during which you must comply with specified conditions. If you comply with all conditions by the deadline, the case is dismissed with no conviction on your record. If you do not comply, the fine is imposed as a final conviction.
Unlike DSC, Deferred Disposition is not something you can demand. The Justice of the Peace has the discretion to grant or deny it. You may request it, but approval is not guaranteed.
If you are under 25 years old and charged with a moving traffic violation, the judge is required by law to make you complete a Driver Safety Course as a condition of Deferred Disposition. Additionally, if you hold a provisional driver's license (typically drivers under 18), you must also take or retake the DPS driving examination to demonstrate ordinary and reasonable control of a vehicle. You must pay a $10 fee to DPS for this examination and submit proof of completion to the court.
Am I eligible for Deferred Disposition?
For all other traffic violations, you may request Deferred Disposition, but it is at the Justice of the Peace's discretion to grant it. Contact your specific precinct court to ask whether your citation is likely to qualify.
How to request Deferred Disposition
Use jp.hctx.net to find your specific precinct court and appearance date.
Submit your request online at jp.hctx.net, by mail, or in person at your precinct court. You must plead guilty or no contest and pay all court costs at the time of the request.
The court will notify you of your specific conditions and the probation period (up to 180 days). Conditions may include completing a driving safety course if you are under 25, or other requirements set by the judge.
Submit any required paperwork to your precinct court by mail or in person. Contact your court for specific submission requirements.
How much does Deferred Disposition cost?
The source document does not list specific Deferred Disposition fee amounts. You will pay court costs at the time of your request. You may also be required to pay a special expense fee not to exceed the maximum fine for your offense. Contact your specific precinct court or check your case online at jp.hctx.net for the amount that applies to your citation.
What if you fail to meet the conditions?
If you do not timely submit satisfactory evidence of compliance, the Justice of the Peace will impose the fine as a final conviction. You will be responsible for immediate payment of the fine assessed. A conviction is reported to the Department of Public Safety as required by law.
How to apply and where to submit
Apply for Deferred Disposition and pay court costs online. Also use to find your case, court date, and fine amount.
Apply online at jp.hctx.net
American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and e-check accepted.
Mail your request, documents, and cashier's check or money order payable to "Justice of the Peace." Write your precinct and place number on the payment. No cash by mail.
Mail to your specific precinct court — find the address at jp.hctx.net. Certified mail recommended.
Visit your specific precinct court. Cash, cashier's check, money order, debit card, and major credit cards accepted.
Find your precinct court location
There is no central Harris County submission office. All requests and paperwork must go to your specific precinct court. Search your case at jp.hctx.net if you are unsure which court handles your citation.
Common Harris County traffic fines
These fine amounts include court costs for Harris County JP Courts. All fines are subject to change. Verify the exact amount for your specific citation at jp.hctx.net.
Speeding fines
| MPH Over Limit | Standard | School Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | $130 | $155 |
| 11 | $135 | $160 |
| 12 | $140 | $165 |
| 13 | $145 | $170 |
| 14 | $150 | $175 |
| 15 | $155 | $180 |
| 16 | $160 | $185 |
| 17 | $165 | $190 |
| 18 | $170 | $195 |
| 19 | $175 | $200 |
| 20 | $180 | $205 |
| 21 | $185 | $210 |
| 22 | $190 | $215 |
| 23 | $195 | $220 |
| 24 | $200 | $225 |
| 25 | $205 | $230 |
| 26–39+ | $210–$275 | $235–$300 |
Common traffic violation fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Failure to Control Speed | $190 |
| Failure to Drive in Single Lane | $155 |
| Ran Stop Sign or Red Light | $160 |
| Unsafe Lane Change | $165 |
| Unsafe Speed | $140 |
| Failure to Wear Safety Belt | $125 |
| Unrestrained Child | $190 |
| Passing a Stopped School Bus | $1,085 |
| Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance) | $315 |
| Expired Driver's License | $105 |
| No Texas Driver's License | $160 |
| Expired Inspection Certificate | $105 |
Expired driver's license and expired registration may be dismissed if remedied within 10–20 working days. A $10 administrative fee applies. Verify dismissal eligibility with your court.
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This page is an independent summary created by TX Course Guide for informational purposes only. TX Course Guide is not affiliated with Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts, Harris County, or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The primary source document for this page (jp.hctx.net/traffic/Traffic.pdf) is dated September 2007. While fee amounts have been updated within that document, some procedures, amounts, and requirements may have changed since publication. Always verify current requirements directly with your specific precinct court before taking any action. This is not legal advice.