What does Midlothian Municipal Court handle?
The city court is limited to fine-only cases. Anything carrying possible jail time is filed with Ellis County, not the city.
- Court
- Midlothian Municipal Court — official court page
- Address
- 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way, Midlothian, TX 76065 (Public Safety Facility)
- Phone
- (972) 775-8932
- Handles
- Class C misdemeanors that occur within the city limits — traffic and ordinance (all fine-only)
- Online payment
- midlothiantx.municipalonlinepayments.com (Visa / MasterCard)
- Hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. · after-hours drop box at the court entrance
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 Midlothian Municipal Court. Those cases are filed with the Ellis County courts in Waxahachie and follow the county process — booking, magistration, and a setting in a county court at law or district court. Our Ellis County hub walks through that side step by step.
Does Midlothian have its own jail?
This is the most common point of confusion. Midlothian PD has a holding facility, but plan on the county jail for anyone held more than a day or two.
- City holding
- Midlothian Police Department, Public Safety Facility
- Address
- 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way, Midlothian, TX 76065
- County jail (after transfer)
- Wayne McCollum Detention Center, 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie
- Confirm custody
- Ellis County inmate search
If a Midlothian officer made a custodial arrest, the person is generally held briefly at the Public Safety Facility and then transported to the county facility for booking and magistration. Because the county jail is the place where most people are held longer-term, that is where you will usually find someone and where a county-charge bond is posted. 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 Midlothian 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 online, by phone, or in person at the municipal 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 Midlothian — where are they and how do I get them out?
For anything past a fine-only ticket, this becomes an Ellis County process. Here's the fast path to find them and post bond.
- Find themRun the Ellis 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 lookup is down or the person isn't showing yet, call the Ellis County jail at (972) 825-4931, available 24 hours.
- Wait for magistrationA magistrate reviews the charges and sets the bond — Ellis 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 for county charges are posted at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center bond counter, 300 S. Jackson St. See the full bonding-out guide for accepted payment types (cash, cashier's check, money order — no personal checks) and surety options.
Because the county detention facility, the bond counter, and the magistrate are all part of the Ellis County system, everything about getting someone out is covered on the Ellis 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 Midlothian 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 Midlothian — 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.
Midlothian court & jail FAQ
What does Midlothian Municipal Court handle?
Midlothian Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors that occur within the city limits — traffic citations and city-ordinance violations, all fine-only offenses with no jail sentence. Class A and Class B misdemeanors and felonies are filed in the Ellis County courts in Waxahachie, not the city court. The court is in the Public Safety Facility at 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way, Midlothian, TX 76065; call (972) 775-8932.
How do I pay a ticket in Midlothian?
You can pay a Midlothian citation online at midlothiantx.municipalonlinepayments.com (Visa and MasterCard), or by phone or in person at the Municipal Court, 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way. An after-hours document and payment drop box is at the court entrance. Remember that paying a traffic ticket is a guilty or no-contest plea that puts the offense on your record — defensive driving or deferred disposition may keep it off.
Does Midlothian have its own jail?
Midlothian Police Department operates a holding facility at the Public Safety Facility, 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way. Third-party sources describe arrestees being held there roughly 24 to 48 hours before transfer to the Ellis County jail (Wayne McCollum Detention Center) at 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie, or release on bond. ⚠ Confirm current booking details with the Midlothian Police Department; the city main line is (972) 775-3481.
Someone was arrested in Midlothian — where are they?
They may be held briefly at the Midlothian Police Department holding facility (Public Safety Facility, 1111 George W. Raffield Jr. Way), then transferred to the Ellis County jail (Wayne McCollum Detention Center) at 300 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie. Use the Ellis County inmate search to confirm where someone is held and any bond, or call the county jail at (972) 825-4931.
What happens if I ignore a Midlothian ticket?
If you miss the deadline on a Midlothian 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 the Municipal Court at (972) 775-8932 before the deadline to ask about options. If a warrant has already issued, learn how to check and lift a Texas warrant before going to court.
Have a question this page didn't answer? Browse more DFW jail, bond & court FAQs.
Arrested in Midlothian? Talk to L&L Law Group
If you or a loved one is facing a charge that's headed to the Ellis 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 Ellis County city pages and the county-wide tools you may need next.