No arrest will await those who come in voluntarily to 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 five weeks, starting on Monday, October 1, 2018, and continuing through Friday, November 2, 2018, City of McAllen Municipal Court will offer a Failure to Appear Amnesty Program.
During this time, those with outstanding traffic ticket violations who come in voluntarily to make arrangements to pay their tickets and where the defendant has not previously entered a plea, will not be arrested. 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.”
To receive the amnesty, violators cannot call and ask for the amnesty; they must come in and make the arrangements in person. 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 bring pay stubs, 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.
Additionally, to help accommodate busy work and personal schedules, the McAllen Municipal Court will offer additional opportunities for individuals with outstanding tickets to make arrangements after normal business hours at different locations throughout McAllen, to ensure that everyone has a chance to stop by, during the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- October 2 City of McAllen Municipal Court, 1601N. Bicentennial Blvd. @ McAllen Police HQ
- October 9 Lark Community Center, 2501 Lark Ave.
- October 16 City of McAllen Municipal Court, 1601N. Bicentennial Blvd. @ McAllen Police HQ
- October 23 Palmview Community Center, 3401 Jordan Road W.
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.
