Juveniles/Minors

After the Court receives your citation, you and your parent/guardian will be mailed Court notices to your address provided on the citation for your upcoming court date. You will receive notices by both regular and certified mail. Please read the notices as to what action needs to be made before your scheduled court date if any.

In compliance with H.B. 3186, the Baytown Municipal Court of Record herby adopts the Youth Diversion Plan to begin on January 1, 2025. Hereafter referred to as the “Baytown Youth Diversion Program” or “Diversion Program.” This plan shall be maintained on file at the court and on the court website for public inspection under Article 45.306(g).

YOUTH DIVERSION PLAN

The Judge will explain the Court process and expectations for defendants while in Court. The Judge will call each defendant and parent/guardian one at a time to approach the bench. At this time, the defendant will answer to the charges filed against them. The defendant may plead Guilty, Nolo Contendere (No Contest), or Not Guilty.

If the defendant pleads "Not Guilty," they will be able to speak with the Prosecutor.

If the defendant pleads "Guilty" or "Nolo Contendere," they should be prepared to discuss how they would like to resolve the citation.

After speaking with the Judge, the defendant and parent/guardian will exit the Courtroom and proceed to the front window where a clerk will process the Judge’s Order and provide paperwork to the defendant and parent/guardian.

Court Documents

• Defendant Information Sheet
• Child Behavior Questionnaire

If the defendant pleads "Guilty" or "Nolo Contendere," they have the option to make one of the following requests:

Pay

If the defendant has the means to do so, they may request to pay the citation. They may choose to pay in full that day, request an extension to pay, or request a payment plan. The Judge has the ability to grant or deny the defendant’s request.

Note: It is ultimately the defendant’s responsibility to pay the citation, if they choose to do so. Parents/Guardians are in no way obligated to pay for their child’s citation.

Community Service

The defendant may request to pay the fine through any non-profit 501(c)(3) .

Deferred Disposition

The defendant may request to be placed on deferred disposition. They must comply with all of the conditions of the agreement in order for the case to be dismissed. If the defendant fails to comply with the conditions of deferred disposition, a fine will be assessed (if money is owed) and a conviction will be reported on the defendant's record.

Note: Anyone under 25 years of age who requests deferred disposition for a moving violation is required by Texas law to complete a driving safety course as a condition. Anyone who holds a provisional drivers license must also complete and pass a provisional driver's test as requested by section 521.161(b)(2) of the Transportation Code with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a condition of the deferred disposition.

Driving Safety Course

If the defendant is charged with a moving violation, they may be able to request a driving safety course to dismiss the charge. The defendant must present a valid Texas driver’s license, proof of insurance in their name or listed as a driver, and pay court costs prior to taking the driving safety course. The defendant must present their certificate and certified driving record to the Court in order for the case to be dismissed.