Stephenville Municipal Court

Stephenville Municipal Court cases in Erath County, Stephenville, TX

Stephenville Municipal Court is a municipal trial court of limited jurisdiction in Stephenville, Texas. It handles fine-only criminal matters, primarily Class C misdemeanors, including traffic and parking violations, and prosecutes violations of city ordinances (such as code, animal control, fire safety, zoning, and public health). The court conducts arraignments, pretrial proceedings, and trials by judge or jury for these cases and administers authorized compliance or disposition options. It does not hear family law cases or general civil lawsuits. Within its limited authority, it may conduct certain civil or administrative proceedings created by statute or ordinance (e.g., dangerous-dog or nuisance/code enforcement hearings). Municipal judges also serve as magistrates, issuing warrants, setting bail, and performing magistration for criminal cases arising within the local area.

Stephenville Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Stephenville Municipal Court

Stephenville Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanor and fine-only matters, including:
- Traffic and parking citations; state Class C offenses (e.g., public intoxication, disorderly conduct, minor in possession); city ordinance/code violations.
Key services:
- Case filings: intake of citations/complaints; pleas; requests for driving safety course or deferred disposition; payment plans and community service.
- Court hearings: arraignments, pretrial settings, bench and jury trials, juvenile dockets, show-cause/compliance hearings; warrants and bond proceedings.
- Protective orders: issuance of Magistrate's Orders of Emergency Protection after qualifying arrests.
- Jury services: juror summons and qualification, scheduling, and jury trial administration.
- Compliance and records: fine payments and extensions, dismissals upon compliance, warrant resolution, and certified record requests.

Functional role: adjudicates fine-only offenses, enforces municipal ordinances, manages juror participation, and administers compliance options and emergency protections under law.