Mercedes Municipal Court

Mercedes Municipal Court cases in Hidalgo County, Mercedes, TX

Mercedes Municipal Court in Mercedes, Texas, is a municipal, limited-jurisdiction trial court. It handles Class C misdemeanor offenses punishable by fine only that occur within the city, including traffic and parking citations under the Transportation Code; violations of city ordinances (such as animal control, property maintenance, fire, and health and safety); and other fine-only state-law offenses (e.g., public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and minors' alcohol/tobacco offenses). The court conducts arraignments, accepts pleas, holds bench or jury trials, assesses fines and court costs, and oversees compliance options like defensive driving and deferred disposition. The judge also performs magistrate duties, including issuing warrants, conducting probable-cause and magistration hearings, setting bail, and issuing emergency protective orders. It does not hear felony cases, family law matters, or general civil disputes.

Mercedes Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Mercedes Municipal Court

- Jurisdiction: Class C misdemeanors and City of Mercedes ordinance violations.
- Case types: traffic and parking citations; fine-only Penal Code offenses; code enforcement and animal control violations; tobacco/alcohol offenses by minors.
- Case processing: intake of citations/complaints, docketing, arraignments, pretrial conferences, compliance/dismissal dockets, trials before judge or jury.
- Filings/requests: pleas, motions, discovery requests, payment plans, community service, deferred disposition, and driver safety course elections when eligible.
- Jury services: juror summons and qualification, excusals/deferrals, jury panels, and jury trials.
- Magistrate functions: arrest/search warrants, bail setting, magistrate warnings, and emergency protective orders after qualifying arrests.
- Warrant resolution: procedures for failure-to-appear and capias pro fine warrants.
- Public services: in-person and online payments, scheduling and docket information, record copies, extensions, interpreter and ADA accommodations, and options for remote hearings when available.