What does Waxahachie 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
- Waxahachie Municipal Court — official court page
- Address
- 412 S. Rogers St., Waxahachie, TX 75165 (Charles Beatty Municipal Services Building)
- Phone
- (469) 309-4070
- Handles
- Class C misdemeanors, traffic citations, and city-ordinance violations from Waxahachie PD (all fine-only)
- Online payment
- waxahachietx.municipalonlinepayments.com
- Hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (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 Waxahachie 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.
Waxahachie city jail
Waxahachie is one of the Ellis County cities that does run a short-term city jail — but most defendants still end up at the county facility.
- City facility
- Waxahachie City Jail (Waxahachie Police Department)
- Address
- 216 N. College St., Waxahachie, TX 75165
- Capacity
- 76-bed facility; holds local arrestees pending arraignment or bond
- Bond inquiries
- (972) 937-9940
- County jail (for transfers)
- Wayne McCollum Detention Center, 300 S. Jackson St. — jail & booking details
The Waxahachie Police Department operates the city jail at 216 N. College St. as a holding facility for people arrested by city officers. For local, fine-only matters, bond amounts are set at arraignment and can be posted in cash at the city jail or through a bail bondsman — call (972) 937-9940 to confirm a bond amount.
Anyone facing a charge above a fine-only offense, however, is generally transferred to the Ellis County jail — the Wayne McCollum Detention Center at 300 S. Jackson St., also in Waxahachie. Because the county jail is itself in Waxahachie, people often say someone is "in the Waxahachie jail" when they mean the county facility. 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 Waxahachie 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 412 S. Rogers St. | 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. The City of Waxahachie's online payment portal lets you pay or look up many citations and check for warrants. 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 Waxahachie — 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 they were just arrested by city officers, they may still be at the Waxahachie city jail (216 N. College St., (972) 937-9940) before transfer.
- 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 Waxahachie 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 Waxahachie — 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.
Waxahachie court & jail FAQ
What does Waxahachie 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 Ellis County courts in Waxahachie, not the city court. The court is at 412 S. Rogers St.; call (469) 309-4070.
How do I pay a Waxahachie ticket?
Pay online at waxahachietx.municipalonlinepayments.com, or by phone or in person at 412 S. Rogers St. Remember that paying is a guilty plea — defensive driving or deferred disposition may keep the offense off your record.
Does Waxahachie have its own city jail?
Yes — the Waxahachie Police Department runs a 76-bed city jail at 216 N. College St. for local arrestees pending arraignment or bond; call (972) 937-9940 for bond amounts. People facing more serious charges are moved to the Ellis County jail (Wayne McCollum Detention Center) at 300 S. Jackson St., (972) 825-4931.
Someone was arrested in Waxahachie — where are they?
They may start at the Waxahachie city jail (216 N. College St.), but anyone above a fine-only charge is generally transferred to the Ellis County jail at 300 S. Jackson St. Use the Ellis County inmate search to confirm custody and charges, or call the jail at (972) 825-4931.
What happens if I ignore a Waxahachie 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 (469) 309-4070 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 Waxahachie? 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.