Port Lavaca Municipal Court

Port Lavaca Municipal Court cases in Calhoun County, Port Lavaca, TX

Port Lavaca Municipal Court is a municipal court of limited jurisdiction serving the City of Port Lavaca, Texas. It handles Class C misdemeanor criminal cases punishable by fine only, including traffic and parking violations, and prosecutes city ordinance violations such as code enforcement, animal control, fire safety, zoning, and public health regulations. The court also hears juvenile fine‑only matters and alcohol/tobacco offenses by minors. In its magistrate role, it issues warrants and conducts initial appearances and bail proceedings for arrests within the city. It does not hear felony cases, higher‑grade misdemeanors, family law, probate, or general civil lawsuits; those are handled by county or district courts.

Port Lavaca Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Port Lavaca Municipal Court

Port Lavaca Municipal Court serves the public by adjudicating low-level offenses and providing access to case resolution and hearings. It handles:
- Class C misdemeanors: traffic and parking violations; state Class C offenses (e.g., disorderly conduct, public intoxication, minor alcohol/tobacco); and city ordinance violations (animal, health, code).
- Case filings and processing: citations/complaints, pleas, motions, and requests (driving safety course, deferred disposition, payment plans, compliance dismissals).
- Court hearings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, show-cause hearings, juvenile dockets, and trials before a judge or jury.
- Jury services: summoning, qualification, and management of municipal jurors.
- Warrants and collections: failure-to-appear and capias pro fine warrants; payment processing and community service options.
- Magistrate functions: magistration, setting bail, issuing search/arrest warrants, and Magistrate's Orders of Emergency Protection after qualifying arrests.