No arrest, waived fees will await those who make arrangements for payment
Texas Border Business
For a short window of time, violators of traffic laws who failed to show up for their day in court will now have an opportunity to do so: without fear of being arrested or any additional fines. For a period of six weeks, starting on Monday, June 15, 2020 and continuing through Friday, July 31, 2020, the City of McAllen Municipal Court will offer a Failure to Appear Amnesty Program. This year, the amnesty is being held earlier in the year, in light of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the need to stay at home.
If a person has received a citation in the City of McAllen where they have not yet made arrangements and a police officer has not been looking for them, the “late fee” will be waived if they make arrangements on their citation during this time. Arrangements can be made through the email at mcallenmunicipalcourt@mcallen.net; by mail at McAllen Municipal Court, 1601 N. Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501; or by phone at 681-2900 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The court lobby is open for payments as well. With COVID-19 still active in the area, however, the court will be glad to work remotely with persons who have received citations. Additionally, please see the McAllen Municipal Court flyer for “vulnerable persons” regarding these arrangements. (See attached.)
If an officer is now or has been actively looking for a defendant, these defendants will not qualify for amnesty.
“Offering the amnesty, that is, not arresting those who have failed to make arrangements on their outstanding traffic violations, is a great way to help bring in individuals who, for whatever reason, did not show up on their appointed court date and are now possibly living in fear of being arrested,” said Municipal Court Judge Kathleen Henley. “The amnesty provides them with an opportunity to pay, or make arrangements to pay their fines, without receiving additional fees and more importantly, without fear of being arrested.”
Individuals may qualify for late fee dismissal, setting up payment plans or even being ordered to complete community service instead. However, to help in the process, individuals should provide paystubs, government assistance, together with proof of mortgage and/or rent payment, utility bills and car payment to help the Municipal Court in making that determination.
The mission of the City of McAllen Municipal Court is to handle violations in accordance with state law and city ordinances, and to see that every person is treated fairly. An individual who has received a ticket or citation from a McAllen peace officer, a McAllen I.S.D. peace officer or an officer with South Texas College in McAllen needs to contact the City of McAllen Municipal Court to make arrangements to pay the fine or contest the violation. Fines may also be paid online at www.mcallen.net.
