What does Dallas Municipal Court handle?
The city court is limited to fine-only cases. Anything carrying possible jail time is filed with the county, not the city.
- Court
- Dallas Municipal Court (Court & Detention Services) — official court page
- Address
- 2014 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201
- Phone
- (214) 670-0109
- Handles
- Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city-ordinance violations (all fine-only)
- Online payment
- municipalonlinepayments.com/dallastx
- Hours
- ⚠ Court hours are not consistently published online (commonly Mon–Fri ~7:30 AM–4:30 PM, Tue extended) — call (214) 670-0109 to confirm before you go
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 Dallas Municipal Court. Those cases are filed with the Dallas County courts and follow the county process — booking, magistration, and a setting in a county criminal court at law or district court. Our Dallas County hub walks through that side step by step.
Does Dallas have its own city jail?
Unlike many suburbs, Dallas runs city-level holding — but serious charges still move to the county jail.
- City facility
- Dallas City Detention Center
- Address
- 2014 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201 (Court & Detention Services complex)
- Detention phone
- (214) 670-0109
- Confirm county custody
- Dallas County inmate search
The City of Dallas runs its own City Detention Center under Court & Detention Services for Class C municipal matters (city warrants and fine-only arrests). Anyone charged with a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or a felony is not kept there long-term — they are transferred to the Dallas County jail (Lew Sterrett Justice Center) for booking and magistration.
How do I pay or handle a Dallas 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 case online, by phone, or in person at the court | 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. 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, because the cheapest option today is not always the cheapest for your record or insurance.
Someone was arrested in Dallas — where are they and how do I get them out?
For a custodial arrest, this is a county process. Here's the fast path to find them and post bond.
- Find themRun the Dallas County inmate search by name or date of birth. 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 lookup is down or the person isn't showing yet, call the Dallas County inmate information line at (214) 761-9025, available 24 hours.
- Wait for magistrationA magistrate reviews the charges and sets the bond — Dallas County does not publish a fixed bail schedule, so each bond is set individually. The amount appears in the inmate search once it is set.
- Post bondBonds are posted around the clock at the county's 24-hour bond desk at Lew Sterrett, 111 W. Commerce St., Dallas. See the full bonding-out guide for accepted payment types and bond options (cash, surety, or pretrial release).
Because the detention facility, the bond desk, and the magistrate are all part of the county system, everything about getting someone out is covered on the Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas — 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.
Dallas court & jail FAQ
What does Dallas Municipal Court handle?
Dallas Municipal Court handles only Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city-ordinance violations — all fine-only, with no jail time. Class A and Class B misdemeanors and felonies are not handled by the city; they are filed with the Dallas County courts. The court is at 2014 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201; call (214) 670-0109.
How do I pay a Dallas ticket?
You can pay or look up a Dallas citation through the city's payment options (online portal, phone, or in person at 2014 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201). Remember that paying a ticket is a guilty or no-contest plea — defensive driving or deferred disposition may keep the offense off your record, so it is worth checking your options before you pay.
Does Dallas have its own jail?
Yes. Dallas City Detention Center holds people locally for city-level matters, but anyone charged with a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or a felony is transferred to the Dallas County jail (Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W. Commerce St., Dallas). Confirm where someone is held using the Dallas County inmate search at dallascounty.org/jaillookup or call (214) 761-9025.
Someone was arrested in Dallas — where are they?
For a custodial arrest, this is a county process. Look the person up with the Dallas County inmate search at dallascounty.org/jaillookup by name or date of birth — it shows charges, bond amount once set, and custody status — or call the 24-hour inmate information line at (214) 761-9025. Bond is set individually at magistration; Dallas County does not publish a fixed bail schedule.
What happens if I ignore a Dallas ticket?
If you miss the deadline on a Dallas citation or fail to appear, the court can issue a warrant and add a failure-to-appear charge, and your case can be reported to flag your driver's license renewal. Contact Dallas Municipal Court (Court & Detention Services) at (214) 670-0109 before the deadline to ask about a payment plan or alternatives — and if a warrant has already issued, learn how to check and lift a Texas warrant before going in.
Have a question this page didn't answer? Browse more DFW jail, bond & court FAQs.
Arrested in Dallas? Talk to L&L Law Group
If you or a loved one is facing a charge that's headed to the Dallas 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
Other Dallas County city pages and the county-wide tools you may need next.