Rio Grande City Municipal Court

Rio Grande City Municipal Court cases in Starr County, Rio Grande City, TX

Rio Grande City Municipal Court is a municipal court in Rio Grande City, Texas. It serves as the city's court of limited jurisdiction, handling cases that arise within the city limits under Texas law. Its docket consists primarily of Class C misdemeanor criminal matters punishable by fine only, including traffic and parking offenses and violations of city ordinances (such as health, safety, fire, and code enforcement). The court also hears certain limited civil or quasi-criminal matters authorized by statute, such as truant conduct cases involving school attendance and some dangerous-dog or animal-control proceedings. Municipal judges perform magistrate functions, including issuing arrest and search warrants, conducting arraignments, setting bail, and issuing emergency protective orders. Appeals generally go to the county court.

Rio Grande City Municipal Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Rio Grande City Municipal Court

Rio Grande City Municipal Court serves as the city's court of record for fine‑only offenses. Key functions:
- Case types: traffic and parking citations; Class C misdemeanors (e.g., disorderly conduct, public intoxication); violations of city ordinances and code (animal control, health, building, and fire safety); certain juvenile fine‑only offenses (e.g., MIP alcohol/tobacco, curfew).
- Case filings and processing: intake of citations/complaints, docketing, motions (pleas, continuances), records and certified copies, payment plans, community service, and compliance dismissals where allowed.
- Court hearings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, show‑cause/ability‑to‑pay hearings, juvenile dockets, and trials by judge or jury.
- Jury services: juror summons, qualification, orientation, deferrals/excuses per law, and juror payment.
- Magistrate duties: warrants, bond settings, magistrate warnings, and issuing Magistrate's Emergency Protective Orders in qualifying family‑violence/assault cases after arrest.
- Public service: information, accessibility, and resolution of cases with lawful alternatives to payment.