Courthouse Rules

Members of the public entering the courtroom must follow the rules established by the court.

  • Weapons are not allowed in the courtroom
  • Cell phones cannot be used in the courtroom. They must be off or silenced in the courtroom.
  • Food or liquids are not allowed.
  • Leave purses, bags, brief bases and other items at the defense table when you are called to the judge's bench.
  • Show respect to the judge and everyone in the courtroom. If you are causing a disturbance, you may be asked to leave the courtroom.

The items below are not allowed in the courtroom:
courtroom

Attire

All persons shall dress appropriately for court proceedings. Inappropriate attire includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Shorts or cut-offs
  • Shirts with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene or suggestive wording
  • Hats or sunglasses except with permission of the judge.

Recordings of court proceedings

Taking photographs or audio/visual recordings of the proceedings is strictly prohibited and may result in expulsion from the courtroom.

Failure to appear in court

If you do not respond to the citation by the 30th day, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and you could incur costly fees in addition to the regular fines and court costs. In addition, you may be denied renewal of your driver license.

If you request a court date (pretrial conference that allows you to speak to the prosecutor) and you want to reschedule, immediately e-mail court@beecavetexas.gov.

If you are scheduled for trial before a judge or jury and you need to reschedule, you must file a written Motion for Continuance immediately via email or mail upon discovering the necessity for continuance. If the motion is filed less than 2 days prior to trial, it will be heard the day of trial.

Failure to pay court ordered fines

The court will issue a capias pro fine (warrant) if court ordered fines and court costs are not paid as ordered or if an alternate payment option has not been completed.

Payment alternatives may be available to you. All payment alternatives must be approved by a judge during a show cause hearing. Proof of income and expenses is required.

You may be eligible for:

  • Lower payment plan amount;
  • Community service;
  • Jail Credit--If you have been incarcerated, you may request credit for time served. You must provide proof of incarceration from a jail or prison that includes the dates you were incarcerated. If you have not entered a plea of "guilty" or "no contest" on the case(s) you are requesting jail credit, you will be required to do so.

If you have extenuating circumstances that limit your ability to pay or perform community service, you must appear before a judge at a show cause hearing.

You must show good cause or explain the reason for the inability to comply with a previous court order.