When you receive a traffic ticket in Texas, you have the right to contest that ticket in court. These cases are normally tried in a municipal court, which has jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors punishable by fines only–no jail time–such as traffic violations. By default, you will receive a jury trial, unless you agree in […]

If you have been pulled over and cited for a traffic violation, you might be wondering if the officer is not just trying to fulfill some “quota” assigned to them by their superiors. Indeed, the idea of traffic ticket quotas has been in popular culture for many years. But do they actually exist? More to […]

When you are involved in a minor traffic accident with another car, you should always get out and exchange information with the other driver. The same applies if you are involved in an accident that damages a fixture or structure while driving–you should always notify the property owner there has been an accident. Indeed, failure […]

While it is always important to obey the posted speed limits on Houston-area roads, you need to be especially careful when driving in and around active construction zones. Under state law, the minimum and maximum fines for speeding in a “construction or maintenance work zone” are double the normal amounts if there are “workers present” […]

Drag racing is a popular sport in Texas. But it is important to distinguish the legal, organized sport of drag racing–i.e., events held at tracks and sanctioned by governing bodies–from individuals conducting their own late-night races on public highways. The latter is a misdemeanor traffic violation that can quickly escalate to a felony if someone […]

If you have ever been pulled over for a traffic violation, you know the first thing a police officer will ask you to do is provide your “license and registration.” With respect to the latter, it is important to make sure your vehicle’s registration is always kept current. And of course, you should never display […]

For many Houston-area residents, dealing with a traffic ticket is usually their first interaction with the local court system. Many people in this situation do not fully understand their rights and obligations under the law. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of what happens after a police officer issues you a traffic […]

Traffic violations normally involve vehicles that are actually traveling on public highways. But the Texas Transportation Code also regulates the use of non-operating or “junked” vehicles. Section 638.071 of the Code defines a junked vehicle as one that is either “wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, or discarded,” or that has been inoperable for more than […]

Not all traffic violations involve actions you make while driving a vehicle. Even if you are simply walking down a public street, an officer may stop and ticket you for violating certain traffic laws applicable to pedestrians. And if in the course of this “pedestrian stop,” an officer suspects you may be guilty of some […]

Traffic violations often lead to the pursuit of other criminal charges, such as DWI or possession of illegal drugs. That is why it is critical to challenge any potential problems with the traffic stop itself. If the traffic stop is illegal, that can affect the admissibility of any evidence found of other potential criminal activity. […]