Municipal Court
Mission Statement
The Bishop Municipal Court's operations are committed to providing quality customer service to all who appear in the court while we diligently execute the administrative duties of the Municipal Court as set forth by law. We promise to be innovative in creating methods and techniques that allow us to be more responsive to the needs of the public.
The Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the government of the City of Bishop. The courts adjudicate Class C misdemeanor cases, most of which are criminal, including traffic, city ordinance, state code, juvenile, parking and disabled parking. It is committed to administering justice in a fair, efficient, and timely manner. Court services are increasingly available online, by telephone, and through the mail which contributes to compliance in a customer service and ecofriendly way.
Credit Card Payments
Click on the link below and be sure to have your ticket number on hand when paying in this manner.
Credit Card company charges $3.00 per hundred.
Paying Ticket Options
You can appear for a citation in court before your court date, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am -5:00 pm at 203 E. Main where the Municipal Court is located. There are several options available for satisfying the fine and court costs that are associated with your citation. You can pay the full amount, request an extension of 30 days to pay the full amount, or request time payments. Be aware that if you request time payments a one-time $25 fee will be added to each violation and you will be required to make four equal payments, one each month, until the total is paid off.
Deferred Disposition and Defensive Driving Options
If you would not like the violation to appear on your driving record you have two options; Deferred Disposition or Defensive Driving. If you request Deferred Disposition you will be responsible for the fine and court costs and will be placed on 90 day probation. Your driving record must be clean to receive Deferred Disposition and you must be over 25 years of age.
Defensive Driving is available to anyone who has a valid driver license and insurance. Choosing this option will allow you 90 days to complete the course and request a certified copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety in Austin. You can only take Defensive Driving once every 12 months and court costs must be paid at the time of your appearance. Requests for extensions on Defensive Driving must be made before the Judge in court. Both of these options are primarily for moving violations that will appear on your driving record if you are convicted.
*If you hold a Commercial Driver's License, you are not eligible for deferred disposition or defensive driving.
Request a Trial
You may plead Not Guilty and request a trial. You have the right to a jury trial or you can waive that right to have your case heard before a judge.
Court Payments
For payments the Court accepts cash, money order, check, credit cards. If you are mailing your payment make the money order or check out to Bishop Municipal Court and mail to:
Bishop Municipal Court
203 East Main
P.O. Box 356
Bishop, Texas 78343
Please include a copy of your citation or write the citation number on the money order.
Court Information and Responsibilities
CONTACT THE COURT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF RECEIVING YOUR CITATION FOR YOUR COURT DA TE. The comt will not mail out a reminder to appear in comt. When you appear in court you must be punctual, no gum chewing, no cell phones or pagers and no halter tops, short shorts, or caps.
The Bishop Municipal Court docs not provide or give legal advice. You may make your appearance in writing, in person, or through an attorney.
If you decide lo appear in person. your appearance should be made on your court dale and time.
Juvenile defendants (under 16 years or age) arc required by law lo appear before the coml in person and with a parent or legal guardian
Anyone under 21 years or age, but over 18 year or age, must appear in person before lhe Court
A telephone call docs nol constitute an appearance
Court Rules
- The following rules apply while in the Bishop Municipal Courtroom
- No weapons of any kind are allowed
- Exceptions - law enforcement personnel only
- No gum, food, or drinks allowed
- No smoking, or other use of tobacco products
- Dress appropriately for court:
- No bare feet
- No shorts
- No tank tops, halter tops, muscle or under shirts
- No clothing with obscene, indecent, or gang related clothing
- No clothing with profane words, language, or illustrations
- Turn off all cell phones, pagers, and all other communication devices
- No cameras allowed - whether still or video
- No use ol' foul or profane language allowed
- Any de fondant under 17 years of age must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian
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Delma Salinas
Municipal Court Judge
Phone: (361) 584-2567
Ext: 105
Fax: (361) 459-4080
Email: Delma Salinas
