Travis County Traffic Court Records
Travis County traffic court records come from the Austin Municipal Court, Justice of the Peace courts, and the county court system. As the home of Austin and the Texas state capital, Travis County handles a high volume of traffic cases each year. This page covers how to search for citations, look up cases, and manage a traffic ticket in Travis County.
Travis County Overview
Travis County Traffic Court System
Travis County is the fifth most populous county in Texas. The Austin Municipal Court handles traffic citations issued by Austin city police within city limits. The municipal court has multiple locations throughout Austin and offers online case search and payment. You can find Austin Municipal Court resources at austintexas.gov/municipal-court.
For violations outside Austin's city limits, the Justice of the Peace courts handle Class C misdemeanor traffic offenses. Multiple JP precincts serve Travis County, covering different geographic areas. Citations from county deputies and DPS troopers on county roads and state highways go to the appropriate JP precinct. JP records are searchable through the county portal.
The Travis County District Clerk is at the Civil and Family Court Facility, 1000 Guadalupe Street, Room 103, Austin, TX 78701, phone (512) 854-9457, hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The District Clerk maintains civil cases from 2006 forward and criminal cases from 2008 forward online at traviscountytx.gov. The Travis County Clerk is at 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751, phone (512) 854-9188.
| County Seat | Austin, TX |
|---|---|
| District Clerk | 1000 Guadalupe St., Room 103, Austin, TX 78701 -- (512) 854-9457 |
| County Clerk | 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751 -- (512) 854-9188 |
| Austin Municipal Court | austintexas.gov/municipal-court |
| Judicial District | 98th Judicial District |
| County Website | traviscountytx.gov |
| State Case Search | re:SearchTX |
Searching Travis County Traffic Records
The re:SearchTX portal is a free statewide case search that covers Travis County courts. Search by name or cause number to find traffic cases, check status, and view basic case information. Records update nightly. This is often the fastest starting point before going directly to a court office.
The Travis County District Clerk has its own free online portal at traviscountytx.gov. This covers family and civil cases from 2006 forward and criminal cases from 2008 forward. For Austin Municipal Court cases, use the city's online search at austintexas.gov/municipal-court. You can look up your citation, check your court date, pay online, and request options like DSC through the municipal court portal.
For certified copies of Travis County court records, contact the District Clerk at (512) 854-9457. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus $5 certification fee. Non-certified copies are $1 per page. A record search fee of $5 applies. Requests under the Texas Public Information Act must be answered within 10 business days. Submit open records requests in person at 1700 Guadalupe, 3rd Floor, Austin, or by mail to the District Clerk PIA at P.O. Box 679003, Austin, TX 78767.
Travis County Online Court Resources
The Travis County official website provides access to the District Clerk's case search, county clerk services, and JP court information for people handling traffic cases in the county.
Travis County's website links to the free online case search, open records request process, and court contact information for all levels of the Travis County court system.
The Austin Municipal Court handles traffic citations issued within the city of Austin and provides online citation lookup, payment, and court date request tools.
Austin Municipal Court serves the city of Austin within Travis County. Use their online portal for city-issued citations, DSC requests, and deferred disposition applications.
What to Do With a Travis County Traffic Ticket
A traffic citation in Travis County gives you several options. Paying the fine is the fastest way to close the case, but it enters a conviction on your driving record. That can push up your insurance rates. Before paying, check whether deferred disposition or a Driver Safety Course might be the better choice.
Deferred disposition suspends the conviction for 90 to 180 days. You pay a fee, enter a plea, and if you stay violation-free during that period, the case is dismissed. You must request this on or before your court date. For Austin Municipal Court cases, the city's online portal has a process for requesting deferred disposition. For JP court cases, contact the specific precinct.
The Driver Safety Course lets you take a state-approved 6-hour course and have the ticket dismissed. Request it before or on your court date, complete the course within 90 days, and submit your certificate along with a certified driving record from the Texas DPS. The ticket is dismissed with no conviction recorded. CDL holders cannot use DSC. The option is available once every 12 months for eligible violations. Under Transportation Code Chapter 545, most standard moving violations qualify. The TexasCourtHelp traffic page has plain-language guides on all your options.
Texas Traffic Laws in Travis County
Traffic violations in Travis County fall under the Texas Transportation Code. Chapter 545 is the primary chapter for moving violations. Speed violations fall under Sections 545.351 and 545.352. Reckless driving is at Section 545.401. Equipment violations are under Chapter 547. Driver license violations are covered by Chapter 521.
The City of Austin can adopt local traffic ordinances under Transportation Code Chapter 542 as long as they do not conflict with state law. The Texas DPS manages driver records. A certified driving record costs about $10 by mail and is required for DSC dismissals. The Travis County District Clerk also handles vital records. Birth records from within Austin city limits are with the City of Austin Vital Records Office at 7201 Levander Loop, Building C. Other Travis County birth and death records go to the JP where the event occurred.
Legal Help for Travis County Traffic Cases
The TexasCourtHelp traffic page is a free resource that explains the citation process, plea options, and what to do if you cannot afford the fine. Courts in Travis County can offer payment plans or community service for people who qualify. The TOPICs portal has local rules and standing orders for Travis County courts, including Austin Municipal Court and the JP precincts. Legal aid organizations in the Austin area may help with traffic cases for people who qualify based on income. The State Bar of Texas lawyer referral service is at (800) 252-9690.
Cities in Travis County
Travis County is home to Austin, the state capital and a major qualifying city with its own municipal court for traffic violations.
Other communities in Travis County include Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Manor, and Lakeway. Traffic citations from unincorporated areas of the county go through the Travis County JP courts.
Nearby Counties
Travis County is in Central Texas and borders several other counties in the Austin metro area. Check your ticket if your violation occurred near a county line.