What does Alvarado Municipal Court handle?
The city court is limited to fine-only cases. Anything carrying possible jail time is filed with Johnson County, not the city.
- Court
- Alvarado Municipal Court — official court page
- Address
- 104 W. College St., Alvarado, TX 76009
- Phone
- (817) 790-3223 · court@cityofalvarado.org
- Handles
- Class C misdemeanor offenses and city-ordinance violations within Alvarado city limits (fine-only)
- Court hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Pay / look up a ticket
- municipalonlinepayments.com/alvaradotx · phone (866) 287-3501
A Class C misdemeanor is the lowest level of criminal charge in Texas. It is punishable by a fine only (generally up to $500, plus court costs) with no jail sentence, which is why these cases stay in the city's municipal court. Common examples are speeding and most traffic violations, public-intoxication-type citations, and violations of local ordinances such as parking, code, or animal rules.
If a charge is a Class B or Class A misdemeanor (for example, most DWI, possession, or assault cases) or a felony, it is not handled by Alvarado Municipal Court. Those cases are filed with the Johnson County courts in Cleburne and follow the county process — booking, magistration, and a setting in a county court at law or district court. Our Johnson County hub walks through that side step by step.
Does Alvarado have its own jail?
This is the most common point of confusion. The short version: plan on the Johnson County jail, not a Alvarado city jail.
- Where arrests go
- Johnson County Corrections Facility
- Address
- 1800 Ridgemar Dr., Cleburne, TX 76031
- Corrections Division
- (817) 556-6000, 24 hours
- Confirm custody
- Johnson County inmate search
People often say someone is "in the Alvarado jail" when they really mean the Johnson County Corrections Facility in Cleburne, which serves the cities across the county. If a Alvarado officer made a custodial arrest, the person is generally transported to that county facility for booking. To confirm exactly where someone is held — and their charges and any bond — use the county tools: inmate search and jail & booking details. The Johnson County Sub-Courthouse (JP Precinct 3) is located in Alvarado at 206 N. Baugh St., and handles Class C, traffic, and magistration for the southwest Johnson County area.
How do I pay or handle a Alvarado ticket?
You usually have more options than just paying. Paying a ticket is a guilty plea — sometimes the wrong move.
| Option | What it means | Effect on your record |
|---|---|---|
| Pay the fine | Pay or look up your citation online, by phone, or in person at 104 W. College St. (a 3% processing fee applies to credit cards) | Counts as a guilty/no-contest plea — the conviction goes on your record |
| Defensive driving | Ask the court to take a state-approved driving course (eligibility rules apply) | Can keep one qualifying traffic offense off your record |
| Deferred disposition | Probation-style period set by the court; complete the terms and the case is dismissed | Dismissal if you finish the terms — keeps the conviction off your record |
| Appear / contest | Request a court date and plead not guilty to a judge or jury | Depends on the outcome of the case |
Whichever path you choose, watch the deadline printed on your citation. Alvarado accepts cash, cashier's check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, and bank debit in person, and offers an online portal. If you are not sure whether to pay or fight a ticket — especially a no-insurance, invalid-license, or CDL-affecting citation — it is worth a quick call to a lawyer first.
Someone was arrested in Alvarado — where are they and how do I get them out?
For a custodial arrest, this is a Johnson County process. Here's the fast path to find them and post bond.
- Find themRun the Johnson County inmate search by name. It shows charges, bond amount (once set), and whether the person is still in custody. If a booking is very recent, give it a few hours to appear.
- Confirm by phone if neededIf the online roster is down or the person isn't showing yet, call the Johnson County Corrections Facility at (817) 556-6000.
- Wait for magistrationA magistrate reviews the charges and sets the bond — Johnson County publishes no fixed bail schedule, so each bond is set individually, no later than 48 hours after arrest. The amount appears in the inmate search once it's set.
- Post bondCash, cashier's check, or banker's check bonds are posted at the county facility at 1800 Ridgemar Dr., Cleburne, TX 76031. See the full bonding-out guide for accepted payment types and bond options (cash, surety, or personal).
Because the detention facility, the bond window, and the magistrate are all part of the county system, everything about getting someone out is covered on the Johnson County hub rather than here. That page has the inmate search, money-on-the-books, visitation, and bond details in one place.
Worried about a Alvarado warrant?
A missed ticket deadline or unpaid fine can turn into a warrant — but you have options before you walk into a court.
If you think you may have an active warrant out of Alvarado — a failure-to-appear, capias, or traffic warrant from an unpaid citation — don't show up at the court counter or the jail blind. Understand how to check for and resolve it first.
Alvarado court & jail FAQ
What does Alvarado Municipal Court handle?
Only Class C misdemeanors and city-ordinance violations — all fine-only, with no jail time. Class A/B misdemeanors and felonies are filed with the Johnson County courts in Cleburne, not the city court. The court is at 104 W. College St.; call (817) 790-3223.
How do I pay an Alvarado ticket?
Pay or look up your citation online at municipalonlinepayments.com/alvaradotx, by phone at (866) 287-3501, or in person at 104 W. College St., Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (3% fee on credit cards). Remember that paying is a guilty plea — defensive driving or deferred disposition may keep the offense off your record.
Does Alvarado have its own jail?
⚠ No Alvarado city jail was confirmed in official sources. Custodial arrests are booked into the Johnson County Corrections Facility at 1800 Ridgemar Dr., Cleburne, (817) 556-6000. Confirm where someone is held with the Johnson County inmate search, or check with the Alvarado Police Department.
Someone was arrested in Alvarado — where are they?
Most likely the Johnson County Corrections Facility, 1800 Ridgemar Dr., Cleburne. Use the Johnson County inmate search to confirm custody and charges, or call (817) 556-6000. Bond is set individually at magistration; there is no published bail schedule.
What happens if I ignore an Alvarado ticket?
Alvarado may issue an arrest warrant if you fail to appear or respond within 30 calendar days, and the warrant stays active until fines/fees are paid or a bond is posted. Call the court at (817) 790-3223 before the deadline — and if a warrant has already issued, learn how to check and lift it before going in.
Have a question this page didn't answer? Browse more DFW jail, bond & court FAQs.
Facing a charge from Alvarado? Talk to L&L Law Group
If you or a loved one is facing a charge that's headed to the Johnson County courts, L&L Law Group can review the case — free and confidential. (Fine-only tickets are usually handled directly with the municipal court above.)
Nearby & related pages
The Johnson County hub and the county-wide tools you may need next.