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Lost Traffic Ticket in Texas
Online Traffic Ticket Search
If you were cited by a Texas Highway Patrolman, you can conduct an online search for your lost traffic ticket. Simply enter your name, driver’s license number and date of birth into the online ticket search on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Web site.
If you were pulled over by a sheriff or local police officer, the above site won’t get you very far. Instead, you must look specifically at the county Web site to find out if the county where you were ticketed offers an online search option.
Determine Where You Were Ticketed
As stated above, Texas deals with traffic tickets on the county level. Because each county handles traffic tickets differently, you’ll need to consult the specific county court in which you were ticketed. Again, if were pulled over by the Texas Highway Patrol (THP), use the DPS online ticket search to track down your traffic citation.
Visit the County Web Site
Once you narrow down where you were cited, start looking online for the county Web site. Each Texas county handles traffic tickets differently, so not just any county site will do. Once you locate the ticket and county court info that pertains to you, inquire about next steps to resolve the citation so the state won’t issue a warrant for your arrest.
Determine How You Will Plead
In Texas, you have three ways to plead once you’ve been cited for a traffic infraction:
The first two options require you to pay the traffic fines listed on your ticket. Pleading not guilty opens a whole new set of procedures to follow. Learn more on all these options on our sections that cover how to pay a traffic ticket and how to fight a traffic ticket.
Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)- Pay the fine
- Option to plea bargain penalties
- Incur points on your driving record (could lead to license suspension/revocation)
- Possibly incur increase on auto insurance rates
- Possible option to take driver safety course and get ticket dismissed/points reduced
Learn more about
Paying your Traffic Ticket »Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)- Contest traffic ticket via trial
- Choose to represent yourself or hire an attorney
- No penalties if found guilty, but must pay court/attorney fees
- Possible option to take driver safety course and get ticket dismissed/points reduced
Learn more about
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