San Benito Municipal Court

San Benito Municipal Court cases in Cameron County, San Benito, TX

San Benito Municipal Court is the city's municipal court of limited jurisdiction in San Benito, Texas. It serves as the local trial court for fine-only matters, including Class C criminal misdemeanors under state law, traffic and parking citations, and prosecutions for violations of city ordinances (e.g., code enforcement, public health, and safety regulations). The court also handles certain limited civil matters authorized by statute, such as dangerous-dog determinations and ordinance-related civil penalties. In addition, it performs magistrate functions, including issuing warrants, conducting initial appearances, and setting bail. It does not hear family law cases, felonies, or higher-level civil disputes, which are within the jurisdiction of county or district courts.

San Benito Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in San Benito Municipal Court

San Benito Municipal Court serves the public by handling fine-only criminal and ordinance matters and managing related court services.

- Case types: traffic citations, parking, city ordinance/code violations (e.g., animal, health/safety), Class C misdemeanors (public intoxication, disorderly conduct), and juvenile/minor alcohol/tobacco offenses.
- Case filings and records: accepts citations/complaints, maintains case records, and provides forms and record requests.
- Court hearings: arraignments, pre-trials, compliance/dismissal dockets, show-cause hearings, bench and jury trials, and judgment/payment-review settings.
- Magistrate functions: initial appearances, bond setting, warrants, and Magistrate's Orders of Emergency Protection after qualifying arrests.
- Resolutions and compliance: payments, payment plans, community service, driver safety course, deferred disposition, indigency/ability-to-pay assessments, and compliance-based dismissals.
- Jury services: juror summons and qualification, scheduling/postponements, and jury management for trials.