Municipal Court Jurisdiction 4/25/2017. Why does fine only matter? What is covered in Muni Court?

Transcription

1 4/25/ Municipal Court Jurisdiction Why does fine only matter? Municipal courts and justice courts have jurisdiction over fine only criminal matters What is covered in Muni Court? Any state law violation that specifically states it is a Class C matter Any fine only matter, so long as it does not stem from Penal Code. If stems from Penal Code, then punishment is fine only, which is maxed out at $

2 4/25/ Fines Municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction on all ordinance violations, generally. State Moving Violations: $1.00 to $ Penal Code Violations: $1.00 to $ Health and Safety Violations: $1.00 to $2,000. Other Fines Other Fines See Texas Class C & Fine Only Misdemeanor Book It s a Green Book It s made by TMCEC You can get it here It looks like this Fines and Fees 2

3 4/25/ Fees and Court Costs If there is a judgment, sentence, or deferred adjudication, court costs MUST be paid in addition to other costs. (Tex. Gov t Code ). Lots of little costs Most are specified between Gov t Code and Some court costs are associated with specific charges Example: $25.00 extra court cost for speeding in school zone. What about that 10 Cents?!! Civil Justice Fee is $0.10, which is allowed by Gov t Code (7) Civil Justice Fee is collected for violations under CCP Article Pursuant to (a), a moving violation means an offense that involves the operation of a motor vehicle and is classified as a moving violation under Transportation Code does not really specify what all moving violations are. So how do you know??? Moving Violations 37 TAC 15.89(b) contains a list of moving violations, by name. This is the listing of violations and whether Drivers Responsibility Points are assessed. See Appendix B. YES/NO means whether points will be taken away. 3

4 4/25/ Examples of Moving Violations Speeding Yes Driving on the wrong side of road Yes Driving without insurance No Why not? Driving with expired registration No Time Periods To Pay Court can provide a payment plan or a deadline to pay total fines and fees. This is on a straight pay matter; not deferred disposition. $25.00 additional fee MUST be assessed for each fine/ticket/charge when the payment in full is not received within 30 days. Fine assessed on 31 st day. Best practices: Provide 90 days to pay, and advise they will avoid a $25 per ticket charge if they pay within 30 days. Fines apply to convictions only. Not applicable in DD. Deferred Disposition CCP Art Alternative to traditional adjudication Optional for judges to offer Upon completion of DD, the judge SHALL dismiss the complaint No final conviction Terminates any liability under a bail or appearance bond for that charge. 4

5 4/25/ Requirements of Deferred Disposition Only available in fine only Class C Defendant must enter plea of guilty or no contest (or a finding of guilt) Defendant must pay all court costs Other optional requirements that a judge MAY order Judge MAY Order Judge MAY Order Judge may order the following: Place Defendant on Probation, not to exceed 180 days. Allow payments of costs in installments Special Expense Fee, not to exceed maximum fine for that offense Special Expense Fee may be waived for good cause 5

6 4/25/ Judge MAY Order (cont.) Judge may order: Community Service or Tutoring Programs Or any combination of fines and community service. Post a bond in the amount of the fine. Pay restitution to the victim, not to exceed the fine Submit to professional counseling Submit to drug and alcohol diagnostic testing Judge MAY Order (cont.) Judge may order: Submit to psychosocial assessment Participate in alcohol or drug abuse treatment or education programs Pay costs of any of the above evaluations and programs Judge MAY Order (cont.) Judge may order Complete driver s safety course Present evidence of completion of the stated requirements Comply with any reasonable conditions Catch All Include essays, take the bus, etc. 6

7 4/25/ Judge MAY Order (cont.) DD SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS When the Defendant is younger than 25 and the violation is a considered a moving violation, then Driver s Safety Course is MANDATORY for DD. What qualifies as Moving Violation See 37 TAC 15.89(b) Can you require DSC for a 25 year old driver charged with expired registration? YES! Why Falls under the general optional requirements for judge. Court may also require additional DSC. DD SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS When Defendant holds a provisional license, judge SHALL require a retake of the drivers test with DPS Must also pay $10.00 examination fee. 7

8 4/25/ Example Defendant is a 23 year old driver, charged with speeding and no driver s license. He does not have a driver s license. What do you do? What do you do? If there is no driver s license, then cannot take DSC only. If the Prosecutor or Judge does offer DSC, it cannot be completed because a valid Driver s License is required to take DSC. FAILURE TO COMPLETE DD Court shall notify Defendant in writing Court shall set an Order to Show Cause Hearing (OSC) At OSC hearing, Court may allow extra time to complete requirements, OR Court may impose the fine, or impose a lesser fine. Any imposition of fine will be considered a final conviction Exception: Failure to complete DSC for DD No OSC. Court imposes fine. Final conviction. RESTRICTIONS OF DD Persons holding Commercial Drivers License (CDL) cannot be offered Deferred Disposition Specifically, DD is not available for a violation of state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle control other than a parking violation committed by a person who holds a CDL or held a CDL at the time of the violation Example: CDL defendant in his personal car pulled over for expired registration or speeding. No DSC for either violation. Upshot: speeding ticket will take off points, but expired registration will not take off points. 8

9 4/25/ Example: CDL and DD (OMG!) CDL defendant in his personal car pulled over for expired registration and speeding. NO DD for either. Must pay tickets or go to trial. Upshot: speeding ticket will take off points, but expired registration will not take off points. Example: Defendant driving with his child out of seat belt restraints. Charged. Later applies and gets his CDL. Then comes to the window to deal with ticket. No DD since he is a CDL at time of deal. Seat belt ticket is a moving violation, so related to motor vehicle control. Examples of motor vehicle control Related to Motor Vehicle Control Speeding in commercial delivery truck yes. Driving with expired registration yes. Not signaling while driving yes Talking on phone while driving yes. Texting while driving yes, if there is a law against it. Speeding in personal vehicle on day off Yes Doing any of the above in personal vehicle yes. Parking tickets express exception Basically, If CDL, then no DD. So what are their choices? Plead guilty and pay the ticket Plead not guilty and fight the ticket Why are the consequences so high? CDL is provided to persons who drive for their living, so they are held to a higher standard than non CDL 9

10 4/25/ Community Service Under CCP : Judge MAY require community service for some or all of the fine or costs CCP Judge MUST specify number of hours Service MUST be completed at a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization that provides services to the general public that enhance social welfare and the general well being of the community. Community Service (cont.) Generally, 16 hours per week, maximum Eight (8) hours of service equates to, at least, $50 reduction in fine. It can be more. So, $6.25 per hour rate Indigent Defendants Court may waive payments of fine or costs on a defendant who defaults on payments, if the court determines: (1) Defendant was indigent, and (2) Discharging fines by community service would impose undue hardship No test to determine indigence Loc. Gov t Code defines indigent as an individual who earns not more than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Court may require defendant to prove income and assets under oath. 10

11 4/25/ Special Cases School Zones (typically have the highest costs) Speeding in a school zone: $25 additional fine Passing a School Bus Violation: $25 additional fine Disabled Parking Min. $500; Max. $750 for 1 st offense Higher for second, third, etc. offense, plus community service requirement Underage Alcohol Offenses convictions or DD have mandatory community service and mandatory alcohol awareness classes. TABC , Special Cases (cont.) Construction Zones Fine minimums and maximums are doubled for violations occurring in a construction zone, with written notice that states workers are present, and workers are actually present. Boating Law Violations (Tex. Parks and Wildlife, Ch. 31) Defendants can take a boater education course in lieu of paying a fine. Maximum 60 days probation Only allowed on first violation Completion waives imposition of fine What s Up With That? Window fines?? Courts can set standard window fines, which account for all fines, fees, costs, etc. These are set by court order and should be made available to the public. For example: San Antonio Speeding: $180 plus $5 for each mile per hour above 10 mph. Houston Speeding: $195 for 1 5 mph over posted limit; $204 for 6 9 mph over posted limit; $229 for mph over posted limit; etc Your City Speeding: You should have them available. 11

12 4/25/ Questions Artin T. DerOhanian Law Offices of Ryan Henry, PLLC Instagram: TexasLaws 12

13 The Court Abides: Penalties and Punishments Artin DerOhanian Senior Associate Law Offices of Ryan Henry, PLLC Instagram: TexasLaws In this issue: Fines, Fees, Court Costs, Deferred Disposition, Community Service, Indigence Hearings, Special Cases, and Not So Special Cases FINES Why does the law impose fines? Why limited to Class C misdemeanors? Municipal and justice courts in Texas have concurrent original jurisdiction over fine-only criminal offenses. These include any Class C misdemeanors punishable by a maximum fine of $500. The Penal Code also provides that any state law violation that is not included in the Penal Code that carries a fine-only punishment is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. (Penal Code 12.41(3).) So, if the state law violation is punishable by fine only, those are classified as Class C misdemeanors and those are prosecuted in municipal and justice courts. What about violations carrying more than $500 in fines? Fines carrying more than $500 in fines are considered Class-C misdemeanors as long as the violation does not stem from the Penal Code. What is not a Class C? Example: removing asbestos without a license is punishable with a maximum fine of $20, This is a violation of Occupations Code (b). Any Penal Code violation punishable by more than $500, or violations carrying more than fine punishments.

14 What are the fines? State Moving Violations: Texas Transportation Code states A person convicted of an offense that is a misdemeanor under this subtitle shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1 or more than $200. Penal Code Violation: Texas Penal Code states An individual adjudged guilty of a Class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500. City Code Violations: Check your own City codes. Other fines: See Texas Class C & Fine-Only Misdemeanors book (Green Book). How can you know all the fines? Get the Texas Class C & Fine-Only Misdemeanors book (Green Book). Great resource that has most, if not all, of the offenses, code sections, penalties, penalty sections, and associated DPS codes and notes. Standard Fines Calculations San Antonio speeding fine: $180 plus $5 for each mile per hour above 10 mph. Houston speeding fine: $195 for 1-5 mph over posted limit; $204 for 6-9 mph over posted limit; $229 for mph over posted limit; etc FEES and COURT COSTS Pursuant to Tex. Gov t Code , if there is a judgment, sentence, or deferred adjudication, court costs must be paid in addition to all other costs. Additional court costs are specified in for convictions in municipal courts. Allocation of fines are a bit tricky, but the TMCEC prepared a chart for your use. See TMCEC s Court Costs Chart in Appendix A. What about that 10 cents??? Gov t Code (7) allows for the collection of a civil justice fee pursuant to CCP Article The amount of the civil justice fee is $0.10. Pursuant to (a), a moving violation means an offense that involves the operation of a motor vehicle and is classified as a moving violation under Transportation Code

15 So, what is a moving violation under Trans. Code ? Not really clear. Ch. 708 is in regards to the Driver Responsibility Program, which allows points to be assessed against a person s driver s license (c) says The department by rule shall designate the offenses that constitute a moving violation of the traffic law under this section. The only moving violation mentioned in Ch. 708 is a violation of child passenger restraint violation under Transport. Code However, if you look to 37 TAC 15.89(b), there is a list of moving violations listed by title of violation along with a notation of whether a violation of that title will result in the removal of Driver Responsibility Points. If violation is on the list, then it is a moving violation. The Yes/No notation states whether points will be taken off for violation. See Appendix B. Separate records must be kept by the municipal clerk for the civil justice fee, pursuant to the standard set forth in (d). Other records are requited by county or municipal treasurer, pursuant to (e). Fees for payments in excess of 30 days. Pursuant to Local Government Code , a fee of $25.00 must be assessed for each fine/charge/ticket when the defendant does not pay the fine in full within 30 days. The fee is assessed on the 31 st day after the date the judgment is entered. This applies for convictions only does not apply for deferred adjudication because no judgment is entered. DEFERRED DISPOSITION Code of Criminal Procedure Article contains the relevant terms regarding deferred disposition (also referred to as DD ). Deferred Disposition is an alternative to traditional adjudication that a judge may offer to dispose of the proceedings without an adjudication of guilt. Upon completion of the terms of the Deferred Disposition, the judge shall dismiss the complaint, and it shall be noted that the complaint is dismissed, and there are no final convictions. CCP Art (c). Deferred Disposition also terminates any liability under a bail bond or an appearance bond for that charge. CCP Art (a) Deferred Disposition is only available for fine-only (Class C misdemeanors) punishable cases. If Deferred Disposition is allowed by the judge, the defendant is required to:

16 1. Enter a plea of guilty or no contest. The defendant can also be found guilty. 2. Defendant must pay all court costs. 3. Additionally, the judge may require the following: a. Place the defendant on probation for a period not to exceed 180 days. b. Impose a special expense fee not to exceed the maximum fine amount for that offense. Special Expense Fee may be waived by a showing of good cause. If collected, this fee is credited toward the payment of the fine imposed. c. May allow payment of costs in installments, d. Allow community service or tutoring programs. e. Any combination of payments, community service or tutoring. f. Post a bond in the amount of the fine. g. Pay restitution to the victim, in an amount not to exceed the amount of the fine. h. Submit to professional counseling i. Submit to drug and alcohol diagnostic testing. j. Submit to psychosocial assessment, k. Participate in alcohol or drug abuse treatment or education programs l. Pay costs of any of the above-mentioned evaluations m. Complete a driver s safety course. n. Present evidence of completion of the above requirements. o. Comply with any other reasonable condition. (Catch all). Restrictions of Deferred Disposition: When the defendant is younger than 25 years of age, and the violation is a traffic offense considered a moving violation, then Drivers Safety Course (DSC) is required. The court may require an additional driver s safety course. Restriction of Deferred Disposition: When the defendant holds a provisional license, the judge shall require the defendant to retake his driver s test with DPS. Must also pay a $10.00 examination fee.

17 Failure of completion of terms of Deferred Disposition: court shall notify defendant in writing and set an Order to Show Cause (OSC) hearing for Defendant to show why Deferred Disposition should not be revoked. At the Order to Show Cause hearing, the court may allow additional time to complete requirements OR, the court may also impose the fine of the charge, or impose a lesser fine, the imposition of which will be considered a final conviction. Exception: For Drivers Safety Course defendants, if the Drivers Safety Course is not completed, the court shall impose the fine assessed, and the imposition shall constitute a final conviction. Persons holding a Commercial Driver s License cannot be offered a Deferred Disposition. Art (f). Specifics: Drivers Safety Course does not apply to a violation relating to motor vehicle control other than a parking violation for someone who holds a Commercial Driver s License or held a Commercial Driver s License at the time of the violation. Defendant must pay for drug or alcohol classes, unless the judge determines the defendant is indigent and unable to pay the cost. The judge may allow payment of the cost of attending the program in installments during the Deferred Disposition period. See TMCEC Deferral Chart at Appendix C. COMMUNITY SERVICE Pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure , a judge may require community service for payment of some or all of the fine or costs. Judge must specify the number of hours defendant is required to work. Community service may only be done at a governmental entity or a nonprofit organization that provides services to the general public that enhance social welfare and the general well-being of the community. Generally, 16 hours per week maximum. Eight hours of community service work equates to, at least, $50.00 reduction.

18 INDIGENCE A municipal court may waive payment of a fine or costs imposed on a defendant who defaults in payments if the court determines that (1) the defendant was indigent and (2) discharging the fines by community service would impose an undue hardship on the defendant. For fine-only offenses, there is no statutory means test for determining indigence. Judges have discretion in determining whether a defendant is indigent. Tex. Loc. Gov t Code define indigent as an individual who earns not more than 125 percent of the income standard established by applicable federal poverty guidelines. Judges may use the Federal Poverty Guidelines or other guidelines as support for an indigence determination. In, the 125% of the federal poverty level is an income of $15,075 for an individual, $20,300 for a household of two, $25,525 for a household of three, $30,750 for a household of four, $35,975 for a household of five, $41,200 for a household of six, $46,425 for a household of seven, $51,650 for a household of eight, and each additional member of the household as $5,225 onto the household of eight. To determine indigence, a court may require a defendant to provide income and asset information while under oath. SPECIAL CASES School zones and violations connected with schools have higher court costs: School zone violations: $25 extra; Passing a school bus violation: $25 extra Disable Parking: fine not less than $500 nor more than $750 for first offense. $550-$800 plus 10 hours of community service for second offense. Underage alcohol offenses convictions or deferred disposition receives mandatory community service related to alcohol education (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code 8-12 hours on first offense ), and mandatory alcohol awareness class (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code ). Alcohol related offenses appear under Alcohol Beverage Code , , , , and Construction Zones: Fine maximum and minimums double for violations occurring in construction zones when workers are present and with written notice that states workers are present. Violators of Boating Laws (Tex. Parks and Wildlife Code Ch. 31) can take a boater education course in lieu of paying a fine. Maximum 60 days of probation. Only allowed for first time violations. Successful completion waives imposition of fine.

19 Municipal Ordinance OFFENSE/DESCRIPTION COURT COSTS For conviction of offenses committed on or after September 1, 2015 State CF State JSF Parking (authorized by Section or Chapter 682, *1 *1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Transportation Code) Pedestrian N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Other city ordinances not categorized above N/A N/A N/A State Law Transportation Code, Rules of the Road (Chapters ) Parking and Pedestrian (in school crossing zone) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Parking and Pedestrian (outside school crossing zone) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Passing a School Bus (Section ) *2 Other Rules of the Road offense in a school crossing zone *2 Other Rules of the Road offense outside a school crossing zone State IDF State JRF State TPDF State STF Local TFC Local CS Total N/A *2 Parking and Pedestrian Offense (not under the Rules of the Road) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Education Code Parent Contributing to Nonattendance (Section ) N/A N/A All other fine-only misdemeanors not mentioned above N/A N/A N/A *2 For the purpose of assessing, imposing, and collecting most court costs and fees, a person is considered to have been convicted if, pursuant to Section of the Local Government Code or the specific statute authorizing the court cost, either: a judgment, sentence or both are imposed on the person; or the person receives a DSC, deferred disposition, or some other deferral (see Articles of the Code of Criminal Procedure). In contrast, this expanded definition of conviction does not appear in the statute establishing the Juror Reimbursement Fee. *1 Additional Child Safety Fund costs: $2-$5 court cost for cities with population greater than 850,000 that have adopted appropriate ordinance, regulation, or order (mandatory). Up to $5 court cost for cities with population less than 850,000 that have adopted appropriate ordinance, regulation, or order (optional). *2 MVF: Add 10 court cost on all moving violations. Moving violations are found in Title 37, Section 15.89(b) of the Texas Administrative Code. Note that some moving violations are in codes other than the Transportation Code. Because passing a school bus is a moving violation, the 10 has already been calculated into the total.

20 Appendix B Sampling of Moving Violations under 37 TAC 15.89(b) If on list, then it is a moving violation. Yes/No indicates whether points are taken off for Driver Responsibility Program. Changed lane when unsafe Yes Child passenger safety seat offense Yes Cut across driveway to make turn Yes Cut in after passing Yes Did not use designated lane or direction Yes Disregarded flashing red signal (at stop sign, etc.) Yes Disregarded lane control signal Yes Disregarded police officer Yes Disregarded traffic control device Yes Disregarded turn marks at intersection Yes Driving while license suspended under provisions of DL laws No Driving while license suspended--sr No Drove on wrong side of road Yes Drove without lights--when required Yes Drove wrong way on one-way roadway Yes Endorsement violation CDL No Fail stop proper place-flash red signal Yes Fail to control speed Yes Fail to give info/render aid No Fail to signal required distance before turning Yes Fail to signal with turn indicator Yes Fail to stop--designated point--at stop sign Yes Fail to stop at proper place (at traffic light) Yes Fail to stop for school bus (or remain stopped, specify) Yes Fail to use due care for pedestrian Yes Fail to yield at stop intersection Yes Fail to yield at yield intersection Yes Fail to yield right of way Yes Failed to signal lane change Yes Fleeing from police officer Yes Following ambulance Yes Following fire apparatus Yes Following too closely Yes Illegal pass on right Yes Impeding traffic Yes Improper passing Yes Improper turn Yes Improper use of turn indicator Yes Increased speed while being overtaken Yes Lack of caution on green arrow signal Yes Leaving scene of accident Yes No driver license No No motorcycle endorsement No Obstructing traffic Yes Open Container DRIVER Yes Operate vehicle with child in open bed Yes Passed vehicle stopped for pedestrian Yes Prohibited motor vehicle on controlled-access highway Yes Ran red light Yes Ran stop sign Yes Riding boat/watercraft drawn by vehicle Yes Slower vehicle failed to keep to right Yes Speeding No Speeding > 10% above posted speed limit Yes Speeding--15 miles or over (CDL) Yes Speeding--school zone Yes Unsafe speed (too fast for conditions) Yes Use wireless device while driving--minor Yes Use of wireless device in school zone Yes Use wireless device in school zone Yes Violate DL restriction Yes Violate DL restriction on occupational license Yes Of Note Violations Not Listed in 15.89(b): Expired Registration, No Insurance, No Seat Belt, Talking On Phone (Adults). Source of sampling:

21 COMPARISONS OF DEFERRED OPTIONS Updated to Reflect Changes from the 84th Legislature Application/Use How Often Plea Required Proof of TX DL or on Active Military Duty Proof of Financial Responsibility State Court Cost Collected Time Limit Optional Administrative or Special Expense Fee Driving Safety Course (DSC) or Motorcycle Operator Course (MOC) Dismissal Procedures, Article , C.C.P. If defendant is at least 25 years of age, applies to the following traffic offenses: Section , T.C.; (Obeying Warning Signs) Subtitle C, Title 7, T.C.; (Rules of the Road) Section (a)(3), T.C. (Operation of Motor Vehicle by Minor) If defendant is under 25, applies to offenses classified as moving violations Does not apply to: Offenses committed in a construction work maintenance zone when workers are present, Sec , T.C.; Art (p)(3), C.C.P.; Traffic offenses committed by a person with a commercial driver s license, Art (s), C.C.P.; Passing a school bus, Sec , T.C.; Leaving the scene of an accident, Sec or , T.C.; or Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit or in excess of 95 m.p.h. Art (b)(5), C.C.P. Court must advise person charged with offenses under Subtitle C, Rules of the Road, T.C., of right to take course. Defendant may request if the defendant has not had a driving safety course within the 12 months preceding the date of the current offense. Under Subsection (u), defendants may take DSC for a violation of Child Passenger Safety Seat laws even if they have taken DSC in the last 12 months, as long as the judge requires the defendant to take a specialized DSC (including 4 hours of instruction on child passenger safety seat systems) and any course the defendant has taken in the last 12 months did not include such instruction. If the defendant is a member, spouse, or dependent child of a member, of the US military forces serving on active duty, the defendant cannot have taken a DSC/MOC in another state within the 12 months preceding the date of the current offense. Under Subsection (d), the court has discretion to grant DSC/MOC even if one has been taken within the previous 12 month period, or if the request was not made timely. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere is required when the request is made. Request must be made on or before answer date on citation. Judge has discretion to grant a late request under Subsection (d). Defendant must have a Texas driver s license or permit. If the defendant is on active military duty or is an active duty military spouse or dependant child, the defendant does not have to have a Texas driver s license or permit. Defendants are required to present proof of financial responsibility as required by Chapter 601, Transportation Code. YES Due when request made. Court defers imposition of the judgment for 90 days. The defendant must take the course and present evidence of completion by the 90 th day. Defendant is also required to present to the court a certified copy of his or her driving record as maintained by DPS and an affidavit stating that he or she was not taking DSC or MOC at the time of the request nor has he or she taken a course that is not on his or her driving record. Under Subsection (u), the defendant s driving record and affidavit are required to show that defendant did not have specialized DSC in preceding 12 months. If defendant makes request on or before answer date, the court may only assess an administrative $10 non-refundable fee. If the judge grants a course before the final disposition of the case under Subsection (d), the court may assess a fee not to exceed the maximum possible penalty for the offense. Suspension of Sentence and Deferral of Final Disposition, Article , C.C.P. Applies to all fine-only offenses except: Traffic offenses committed in a construction work maintenance zone when workers present (Sec , T.C.; Art (f)(1), C.C.P.); or A violation of a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle control, other than a parking violation, committed by a person who holds a commercial driver s license; or held a commercial driver s license when offense committed (Art (f), C.C.P.). Subject to judicial discretion. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere or a finding of guilt required. Page 1 of 2 Funded by a grant from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Rev. 08/15 Effective 09/01/15 NO NO YES Judge may allow defendant to pay out during deferral period by time payments, performing community service, or both. Not to exceed 180 days. (1 to 180 days) SPECIAL EXPENSE FEE (SEF), not to exceed amount of fine that could be imposed at the time the court grants the deferral. Court may elect not to collect for good cause shown. SEF may be collected at anytime before the date the probation ends. In the event of default, the judge shall require that the amount of the SEF be credited toward the amount of the fine imposed by the judge.