CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Starting September 3 - 30, the Corpus Christi Municipal Court will be hosting their annual Warrant Resolution Month. During this month, locals with active warrants can settle their unpaid citations while avoiding any legal repercussions.
The Municipal Court Director Gilbert Hernandez said last week the city mailed 25,000 postcards, sent 33,000 text messages and emails to notify citizens with warrants about Warrant Resolution Month. He said that people have all month long to take care of any active warrants and fees by paying online, by phone or in person.
"It's to assist anyone that has a warrant and ask them to come to the court without fear of being arrested and let us help them with those citations or warrants," Hernandez said.
Hernandez said traffic violations are the most common violations that are filed with the court. The longer someone waits to deal with a violation, the judge will issue an active warrant and fees will be increased.
"If that warrant is not addressed in another 90 days, we send it to the collection agency and the collection agency we add 30% of the total.," Hernandez said. "So, if it's $300, it's going to add $90 to that balance.
If citizens are not able to afford to pay their violation fines, Hernandez said they must appear in court to talk to a judge who will provide them with alternative options.
"You don't have to be able to pay it in full. Just come speak to a judge. The judge can place somebody on a payment plan. If they can't afford it, the judge can provide other options such as community service to address those violations," Hernandez said.
Besides Municipal Court, Hernandez said residents can also appear in community court at Janet F. Harte Public Library on Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to handle active warrants and fines.
Below is a list of how residents can handle their warrants and fines.
- Pay online at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/corpuschristitx/. All payments made online will incur a 3% fee + a $2.50 convenience fee.
- Partial payments will not clear your warrants. You must appear in person at the Municipal Court to address your warrants if you can not pay in full.
- Pay by phone: 1 (866) 299-7084 Payments by phone will incur a $2.50 convenience fee.
- Municipal Court Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or during our extended hours on Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or
- Community Court at Janet F Harte Public Library
- 2629 Waldron Road
- Saturday, September 21
- 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more information, visit the Municipal Court website here.