The Denton Municipal Court allows extensions, payment plans, and community service to pay fines.
Fifteen Dollar “Time Payment Fee”
By state law, if a defendant cannot pay a fine assessed in full within thirty (30) days of the date the court first enters judgment, the court must add a one-time fifteen dollar ($15.00) “Time Payment Fee.” (Article 102.030 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure). This fee may be paid over time.
Extension and Payment Plans Offered by the Court
If you are unable to pay the total fine and costs when due, the Denton Municipal Court will allow a defendant to pay fines and costs over time through extensions, payment plans, and when appropriate, other means, such as community service.
You May Request Additional Time to Pay through a Court-Approved Payment Plan
If you need to request additional time to pay your fine, please let the Court know you are having difficulty paying the fine assessed before the case goes into warrant.
Initial Request for a Thirty (30) Day Extension to Pay Fine
Any defendant may request an additional thirty (30) days to pay any fines and costs assessed. To make this request, defendants should complete an initial request for additional time to pay at the Court Clerk’s Office. The defendant will be required (by state law) to provide the court with basic contact information, including two references and contact telephone numbers.
Request for Additional Extensions or a “Court Ordered Payment Plan”
If a defendant is still unable to pay the full fine and costs due after the initial thirty (30) day period of time, the defendant should contact the Denton Municipal Court Collections Office (located in the Court Clerk’s Office area at 601 E. Hickory, Suite D, Denton, Texas –
940-349-8522.) The Collections Office can assist the defendant in completing an application for a time payment plan for submission to the judge. The Collections Office may request additional documentation regarding income and financial resources, schedule the defendant for an appearance before the Court, and once an application is completed, submit a proposed payment plan to the Court for approval.
Application for a Court Ordered Time Payment Plan
As a general statement, the Court will allow a defendant additional time to pay any fines and cost assessed, if the defendant is willing to complete an application for additional time and, when appropriate, provide additional documentation demonstrating financial circumstances.
If a defendant would like to request a payment plan, the defendant must complete a financial affidavit and participate in an interview with the Collections Office (required by state law.) In support of an application for a payment plan, the defendant may be asked to provide information regarding the following items:
- Proof of Residency – Lease or Mortgage Information
- Proof of Employment or other Income (Employer Contact Information)
- Proof of Identification – Driver’s License, I. D. Card, School I. D., Etc.
- Two References – Names and current phone numbers
- Information on Accounts and Funds Available to You
Based on the information provided, the Court may allow extended payment plans for multiple months.
Alternative Means of Satisfying Fines and Costs
In certain cases, the Court may even allow the defendant to discharge or satisfy any fines or costs owed by alternative means, such as performing community service for a non-profit community organization. The Court’s decision will be made on a case by case basis, and only if the Court determines that it is appropriate based on the information provided. The defendant must personally appear before the Judge to ask for community service, and the amount of credit for each hour of community service will be determined by the Judge, if the Court finds that community service is appropriate.
Additionally, the Judge may waive payment of the fine and costs entirely if the Court determines that the defendant lacks sufficient ability and resources to pay the fine, and, if the judge finds that ordering community service would create an undue hardship on the defendant