A defendant who is convicted of a criminal offense punishable by fine only is entitled to alternative methods of satisfying the judgment against them if they are unable to pay the fine or costs, in whole or in part (Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 27.14(b)).

Those alternative methods include:

1. A payment plan, allowing the defendant to make payments toward the fine and costs in designated intervals.  Note that if any amount is paid more than 30 days after the judgment assessing the fine or costs then a $15 time payment fee must be assessed.
2. Disposition of the amount assessed by performing community service.  There are many options that meet the requirements of the law for community service, see Art. 45.049 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for full details.  A defendant is entitled to a minimum of $100 credit for every eight (8) hours of community service performed.
3. If performing community service imposes an undue hardship, a defendant who is indigent or who lacks sufficient resources to pay is entitled to a waiver of the fine and costs, in whole or in part.

The procedural steps to enter a payment plan are:

        Step 1: Click Here to Review Standing Order for Payment Plan Options

       Step 2: Fill out the Defendant’s Plea Form 

       Step 3: Fill out the Payment Plan Application

After completing the Defendant’s Plea Form and Payment Plan Application, please submit via email to JP1Court@tarrantcounty.com or by fax at 817-850-2342.

Once the court receives all required documents, the defendant will be contacted with instructions on how to make a down payment online.

Forms Needed:

• Defendant’s Plea Form
• Payment Plan Application