Warrants

Law Enforcement for the Municipal Court

The Palestine Police Department performs the law enforcement duties of the municipal court. The police department arrests defendants with warrants, transports prisoners being held on municipal court warrants and serves the summons, subpoenas, and other legal papers issued by the municipal court. The Palestine Police Department also provides security support for court operations which is comprised of judges, court staff, and visitors.

View list of active warrants(PDF).

Arrest Warrant Status

If you have a warrant because you have failed to appear in court, please contact the clerk for your available options or appear at a court docket. Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Art. 45.014(g) provides:

• (g) A justice or judge shall recall an arrest warrant for the defendant's failure to appear if, before the arrest warrant is executed:
  • The defendant voluntarily appears to resolve the arrest warrant
  • The arrest warrant is resolved in any manner authorized by this code

Capias Pro Fine Warrant Status

The judge may issue a Capias Pro Fine warrant if a Defendant fails to satisfy a judgment according to its terms and the Defendant has failed to appear for a scheduled show cause hearing. If your case is in Capias Pro Fine status the following options are available:

Appear in open court for a show cause hearing (see show cause docket on the home page). Please advise the court clerk upon your arrival so that your file can be taken to the courtroom.

Pay the fines due in full. You may make a payment in full online, over the phone, or in person.

Tex. Code Crim. Pro. Art. 45.045(a-3) provides:

(a-3) The court shall recall a capias pro fine if, before the capias pro fine is executed:

• The defendant voluntarily appears to resolve the amount owed
• The amount owed is resolved in any manner authorized by this chapter

Third-Party Collections

The Palestine Municipal Court also refers past due warrants to a third-party collection agency, McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen, PC. For all cases referred, an additional 30% is added to the total owed on your violation.

We also forward all cases in warrant status to OMNI Base Service of Texas. This statewide database can deny re-issuance of your driver's license until your case is resolved. Payments for any case that is now in warrant status must be by cash, money order, cashier's check, or credit card. Personal checks will not be accepted. To verify the status of your license, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety's verification site.