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Municipal Court

Sweeny Municipal Court

The Sweeny Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the government of the City of Sweeny. It is committed to administering justice in a fair, efficient, and timely manner. Court services are increasingly available by telephone, email, and through the mail. The Sweeny Municipal Court strives to provide professional court proceedings which follow all applicable laws and ensure the rights of all persons are observed.  The Sweeny Municipal Court processes and adjudicates class "C" misdemeanor criminal cases which occur within the territorial City limits.  Judge Robert Foster presides over the Sweeny Municipal Court.  

Citations for a Class C Misdemeanor that are issued by an officer of the City of Sweeny will be filed in the Sweeny Municipal Court.  Typically, these are violations of city ordinances or violations of state law for which the punishment is by fine only.  The court has jurisdiction for violations which occur in the territorial limits of the City of Sweeny.  Common offenses include traffic violations such as speeding, running a red light or stop sign, driving without a driver’s license or liability insurance, or operating a vehicle with defective equipment.  Common city ordinance infractions include tall weeds, grass, and rubbish, animals running at large, junk vehicles, and house numbering.  The Municipal Court also has jurisdiction over any state law violation punishable by fine only, including theft of property valued under $100, public intoxication, and minor alcohol violations.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Court during normal business hours at the below:
Phone: (979) 548 3325
Email: courtclerk@sweenytx.gov
Physical Address:  102 W Ashley Wilson Road, Sweeny, Texas 77480; Municipal Court Initial Appearances and Show Cause Hearings are held at the Sweeny City Hall within Council Chambers
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 248, Sweeny, Texas 77480

Payments can be made in the following ways:
In Person: with cash, check, and/or money orders
By Mail: check and/or money orders to P.O. Box 248, Sweeny, Texas 77480
Online: www.trafficpayment.com


NOTICE :  Important Update 02/21/2024
2024 Texas Case Resolution Campaign
Law enforcement agencies and courts statewide are participating in the 2024 Texas Case Resolution Campaign beginning March 2. On Feb. 19, individuals can expect to see public service advertisements and receive contact from Courts regarding the campaign. Agencies will step up efforts to actively resolve outstanding cases beginning March 2.The campaign is designed to target thousands of defendants with outstanding cases in participating jurisdictions including numerous county, justices of the peace and municipal courts.
Under Texas Law, individuals appearing before a court and making a good faith effort to resolve outstanding Class C cases are afforded safe harbor and not subject to arrest. Additionally, if a judgment is rendered against an individual who is unable to pay the judgment, the individual may request a judge to assess their ability to pay and offer alternative means to satisfy the judgment. 
Individuals with outstanding cases are encouraged to contact the Court to voluntarily resolve their cases before being compelled to appear in Court. For more information, contact the Sweeny Municipal Court at 979 548 3325.
Perdue Brandon_Case Resolution - Copy



Courtroom Standards:
While your case is proceeding through the court system, please observe the following rules and standards of conduct:
1. No weapons of any type are permitted in the Municipal Court.
2. Sit quietly in the courtroom whenever court is in session.  All cell phones are to be silenced. 
3. When addressing the Judge, do not lean on the bench, table, or podium.
4. No food or drinks are allowed in the courtroom.
5. Smoking is prohibited in all City buildings.
6. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.
7. Please wear suitable clothing to court.  No shorts, tank tops, bathing suits, or other inappropriate clothing will be allowed.
8. Avoid bringing small children to court.  If you must, please monitor their behavior so they remain quiet at all times.  Parents will be asked to leave the courtroom if their children become noisy or unruly.
The Sweeny Municipal Court employs a bailiff for court security.  The bailiff is a contracted off-duty police officer.  The bailiff is responsible for court security, including:
Searching the courtroom and surrounding offices for contraband/weapons
Opening and closing the court to defendants, court participants, and visitors
Observing/monitoring all persons in and around the court
Conducting searches via metal detectors
Bringing court proceedings to order
Maintaining order and peace in the court
Removing and/or instructing any person as per the Judge’s orders
Detaining and/or arresting persons per the Judge’s orders

Concealed handguns prohibited in Court  -  Under Texas law (Penal Code, Section 46.03), the carrying of concealed handguns in any court building is prohibited.  It is a crime punishable as a Third Degree Felony.  An individual adjudged guilty of a Third Degree Felony may be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.  In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a Third Degree Felony may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000

Appearances:
Each citation issued sets out an appearance date.  It is very important that the defendant take action on or before the appearance date.  Please do not appear the same day you receive the citation.  Allow three (3) business days from the violation date before contacting the court.  If a defendant needs to request a continuance, the defendant must contact the court prior to the original appearance date.  A new court date will be assigned at that time.  The case will only be reset once.  At the time of the first court appearance, the defendant will be advised of their rights, advised of the charges pending against them, and they will enter a plea.  Telephone contact is not an appearance.  That plea will determine if there will be further proceedings on the case.  Failure to appear in court on the scheduled court date (or before) may result in the filing of additional criminal charges, the issuance of an arrest warrant, and the imposition of additional fines and costs.
Pleas:
GUILTY or NO CONTEST-  If a defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial; either a fine is imposed and/or an alternative disposition of the case is entered.  The amount of the fine assessed is determined by the facts of the case.  Mitigating or aggravating circumstances may lower or raise the fine.  Fines in the Municipal Court can range from $1 to $2,000 depending on the offense.  Questions concerning specific fines and costs should be addressed to the court.
NOT GUILTY-   A plea of not guilty will result in the case being set for pre-trial with the City prosecutor. If the defendant and prosecutor cannot reach an agreement, the defendant can request a trial (either with a jury or without a jury). Depending on the trial type selected, either a bench trial or jury trial is set.  A jury of six (6) members will be selected to hear each jury case.  If the defendant is found not guilty, no fine or court costs are owed and no conviction is reported on the defendant’s record.  If the defendant is found guilty, a fine and court costs will be imposed and a conviction will be recorded.

Juvenilles:
The following rules apply to juveniles subject to court jurisdiction:
Parents or legal guardians of juveniles who are defendants in the Sweeny Municipal Court are required to be present during all proceedings with the juvenile.  A person is considered a juvenile if the person is at least ten (10) years old but under seventeen (17) years old.
All juveniles are required by state law to appear in open court for all proceedings with a parent or legal guardian.
Failure to comply with requirements or failure to complete all terms regarding juvenile charges may result in additional charges against the parent and child.  In addition, such failure may result in the juvenile having his/her driver’s license suspended or prevent the juvenile from obtaining a driver’s license from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Juvenile defendants charged with an alcohol and/or tobacco related offense will be required to complete an alcohol awareness or tobacco awareness course (as applicable).  This is in addition to any fine and/or court cost assessed by the judge.  Visit Texas Health & Human Services for lists of alcohol and tobacco education programs.