What does Kaufman 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
- Kaufman Municipal Court — official court page
- Address
- 209 S. Washington St., Kaufman, TX 75142
- Phone
- (972) 932-2216 (Metro: 972-962-5321)
- kaufmanmunicipalcourt@kaufmantx.org
- Handles
- Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city-ordinance violations (all fine-only)
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00–11:00 a.m. and noon–5:00 p.m.
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 Kaufman Municipal Court. Those cases are filed with the Kaufman County courts at the Justice Center, 1902 E. US Highway 175, and follow the county process — booking, magistration, and a setting in a county court at law or district court. Our Kaufman County hub walks through that side step by step.
Does Kaufman have its own jail?
This is the most common point of confusion. The short version: plan on the county jail, not a city jail.
- County facility
- Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility
- Address
- 1900 E. US-175, Kaufman, TX 75142
- Jail phone
- (972) 932-4337, 24 hours
- Confirm custody
- Kaufman County inmate search
Because the county jail is itself in the city of Kaufman, people often say someone is "in the Kaufman jail" when they mean the county Detention Facility on US-175. If a Kaufman 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.
How do I pay or handle a Kaufman 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 | Contact the court at (972) 932-2216 or kaufmanmunicipalcourt@kaufmantx.org to pay or resolve the citation | 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 Kaufman — 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 Kaufman County inmate search at inmates.kaufmanso.com by name or charge. 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 Kaufman County Sheriff's Office at (972) 932-4337, available 24 hours.
- Wait for magistrationA Justice of the Peace magistrate reviews the charges and sets bond — Texas law requires this no later than 48 hours after arrest. Kaufman County has no published bail schedule, so each bond is set individually. The amount appears in the inmate search once it's set.
- Post bondBonds are posted around the clock at the county's 24-hour bond window at 1900 E. US-175, Kaufman. 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 Kaufman 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 Kaufman 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 Kaufman — 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.
Kaufman court & jail FAQ
What does Kaufman Municipal Court handle?
Only Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city-ordinance violations — all fine-only, with no jail time. Class A/B misdemeanors and felonies are filed with the Kaufman County courts at the Justice Center on US-175, not the city court. The municipal court is at 209 S. Washington St.; call (972) 932-2216.
How do I pay a Kaufman ticket?
Call Kaufman Municipal Court at (972) 932-2216 or email kaufmanmunicipalcourt@kaufmantx.org. The court is at 209 S. Washington St., open Monday–Friday 8–11 a.m. and noon–5 p.m. ⚠ A direct online-payment link was not confirmed — ask the court whether online or phone payment is available. Remember that paying is a guilty plea — defensive driving or deferred disposition may keep the offense off your record.
Does Kaufman have its own jail?
⚠ Unconfirmed. The Kaufman Police Department shares the municipal-court building, but we could not verify a standalone city jail. Custodial arrests go to the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility at 1900 E. US-175, Kaufman, (972) 932-4337. Confirm where someone is held with the county inmate search.
Someone was arrested in Kaufman — where are they?
The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility, 1900 E. US-175, Kaufman. Use the Kaufman County inmate search to confirm custody and charges, or call (972) 932-4337. Bond is set at magistration; there is no published bail schedule.
What happens if I ignore a Kaufman ticket?
The court can issue a warrant, add a failure-to-appear charge, and flag your driver's license renewal. Call the Municipal Court at (972) 932-2216 before the deadline to ask about a payment plan or alternatives — 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.
Arrested in Kaufman? Talk to L&L Law Group
If you or a loved one is facing a charge that's headed to the Kaufman 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 Kaufman County city pages and the county-wide tools you may need next.