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Most citizens have their first and only
encounter with the judicial system, at the local or Muncipal
Court level. You will find the Abernathy Municipal Court and
its personnel will to be friendly and helpful, if you work within
the system and not against it.
Hours of operation of the Court are:
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- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
- 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
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Municipal Judge: |
Hugh Hill |
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Court Clerk |
Krista Villa |
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(806) 298-2546 |
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- Although the Judge does not always stay
at the Municipal Building, the Court Clerk can reach him as needed.
The Municipal Court has criminal jurisdiction over Class C Misdemeanors
and some other fine-only State Law violations. The Municipal
Courts have authority to enforce municipal ordinances and the
Municipal Court's enforcement powers generally stop at the city
limits.
Although the Municipal Court is created by State statute, it
is also a part of the City Government.
As a result, it must operate within the overall governmental
context yet maintain its independence from the other governmental
branches and agencies of the City.
The laws that govern Municipal Court authority and jurisdiction
are spread through many different statutes and codes including:
- United State Constitution
- Texas Constitution
- Texas Government Code
- Local Government Code
- Texas Penal Code
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
- Alcoholic Beverage Code
- Family Code
- Traffic Laws
- Parks and Wildlife Code
- City Ordinance Code of Abernathy Texas
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- What To Expect
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The following is a brief overview of what one might consider
the typical situation for Municipal Court, however it is just
that, "brief". For specific information on procedures,
please visit Municipal Court Procedures.
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- Each person issued traffic citations has
10 or more days to contact the Court concerning the issuance
of a traffic citation.
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- In the matter of traffic citations, it
is necessary to contact the Court within the time stated on the
citation. However, it is not necessary that you personally appear.
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- Each person who receives a citations should
also receive a form letter, from the Officer, which list the
most common offenses and the fine for each. The Fine List
is posted on this site, however, it for reference only and may
not reflect the most current list.
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- If the offense committed is not listed,
call the Court for a determination of the fine amount. This return
by mail, must be postmarked on or before the appearance date
on the citation.
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- As noted on the form, failure to make
contact with the Court within the prescribed time limit will
result in a "Failure to Appear" charge and arrest warrant
to be issued. The cost of Failure to Appear and a warrant is
an additional $150.00 over and above the original citation.
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- If you wish to appear before the Court
for a citation issued, you will be given the opportunity to request
or waive your rights to trial by jury or the Judge, enter a plea
and discuss the matter before the Court. If you wish to enter
a plea of "Not Guilty", it must be in writing and a
Trial date will be set. If this is the option you choose, the
procedures for a Bench or Jury Trial are explained on this site
at: Municipal Court Procedures.
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- The main thing to remember is, to avoid
any further complications or problems, make contact with the
Court within the time limits stated on the citation.
What Is Expected of
You
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You should be aware that the Judge expects, if not demands, that
people appearing before him, conduct themselves as ladies and
gentlemen.
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- The Judge absoultely WILL NOT tolerate
any cursing, racial slurs, argumentative or combative behavior
from anyone, toward the Court, its personnel or other parties
in the matter before the Court. As provided by Texas Statute,
Contempt of Court proceedings will be used, as needed, to effectively
deal with those persons who choose not to conduct themselves
with proper dignity and respect.
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- Every reasonable effort, within the law,
will be made to work with any person having business before the
Court.
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- Should it be necessary for you to have
business with this Court, please be aware that the ultimate goal
is compliance with the Laws of Texas and Ordinances of the City
of Abernathy, without bias or prejudice to anyone. When the matter
is brought to its conclusion, hopefully no person will leave
the Court without feeling that they have "Had their day
in Court".
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