Deferred Disposition (Probation)

With a plea of guilty or no contest, you may be eligible for deferred disposition, more commonly known as probation.  This is an informal probation in the City of Lake Worth for a specified time, usually 90 days.  There is an additional $30.00 fee to each citation you are requesting to be placed on deferred disposition.  This request must be made to the Court at by your appearance on the citation.  If you agree to pay a citation and a judgment is entered, you may not come back at a later date and request deferred disposition.

Defendants under the age of 25 at the time of offense are also required to complete a Driver's Safety Course (DSC) as part of the requirements of Deferred Disposition.

To find a State approved DSC course go to http://www.tea.state.tx.us/drive/drivecp.html

You are not eligible for Deferred Disposition if you possess a COMMERCIAL driver's license AT THE TIME OF OFFENSE, even if you are in a personal vehicle.

You are eligible if:

1.     You have a Non Commercial Driver's License;

2.     You are not currently participating in Deferred Disposition in the City of Lake Worth; and

3.     You have not received a citation for a traffic violation in a construction zone. (Pedestrian, Inspection, and Seatbelt violations are eligible)

If you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, you may request Deferred Disposition (Request for Deferred Disposition) in person, by mail, or fax by your appearance date.  If the request is made after your appearance date on your citation you may have additional Failure to Appear / Violate Promise to Appear charges added.  Please contact the court to verify if these charges have been added.  You will be required to submit a separate Request for Deferred Disposition for each charge you have.  Incomplete requests will be denied.  You may mail the deferral amount (fine amount plus the additional $30.00) to the court with your request.

PLEASE NOTE: You are required to have the request by mail postmarked on or before your appearance date to be submitted timely.  If you fax the request to the court you are responsible for verifying the court received your fax. 

You may be granted a 30-day extension to pay the deferral amount.  Please make the request for extension on the Request for Deferred Disposition (at the bottom) or at the time of your appearance.  The court will mail you paperwork with your due date to the address provided on the request form.  Once you have been granted an extension you may pay your fine by cash, money order, check or credit card (cardholder must be present with valid ID) in the office, by check or money order by mail or the 24-hour night deposit box (located inside the first set of doors on the left at City Hall), or by credit card online at www.OfficialPayments.com (a 5% convenience fee will apply). 

At the end of your probation, your case will be reviewed and if you have successfully completed all of the probation requirements the Judge will dismiss your citation and it will not be reported to the Department of Public Safety or appear on your driving record.

If you fail to pay your fines, receive another citation during the deferral period with the City of Lake Worth, or if you fail to return a Driver's Safety Course certificate of completion (if under 25) you will be required to appear at a Show Cause Hearing.  Failure to appear at this hearing will result in your Deferred Disposition being revoked, a conviction for the offense will be reported to the Department of Public Safety, and a warrant for your arrest will be issued.  All notices of court dates will be sent to the address on file with the court.