Text of article effective on January 01, 2025
Art. 45A.461.  FAILURE TO PAY FINE OR APPEAR.  (a)  In this article, "child" has the meaning assigned by Article 45A.453(a).
(b)  A justice or municipal court may not order the confinement of a child for:
(1)  the failure to pay all or part of a fine or cost imposed for the conviction of an offense punishable by fine only;
(2)  the failure to appear for an offense committed by the child; or
(3)  contempt of another order of a justice or municipal court.
(c)  If a child fails to obey an order of a justice or municipal court under circumstances that would constitute contempt of court, the justice or municipal court, after providing notice and an opportunity to be heard, may:
(1)  refer the child to the appropriate juvenile court for delinquent conduct for contempt of the order; or
(2)  retain jurisdiction of the case, hold the child in contempt of court, and order that:
(A)  the contemnor pay a fine not to exceed $500; or
(B)  the Department of Public Safety suspend the contemnor's driver's license or permit or, if the contemnor does not have a license or permit, deny the issuance of a license or permit to the contemnor until the contemnor fully complies with the order.
(d)  A justice or municipal court may hold a person in contempt and impose a remedy authorized by Subsection (c)(2) if:
(1)  the person was convicted for an offense committed before the person's 17th birthday;
(2)  the person failed to obey the order while the person was 17 years of age or older; and
(3)  the failure to obey occurred under circumstances that constitute contempt of court.
(e)  A justice or municipal court may hold a person in contempt and impose a remedy authorized by Subsection (c)(2) if the person, while younger than 17 years of age, engaged in conduct in contempt of an order issued by the court, but contempt proceedings could not be held before the person's 17th birthday.
(f)  A justice or municipal court that orders suspension or denial of a driver's license or permit under Subsection (c)(2)(B) shall notify the Department of Public Safety on receiving proof of compliance with the orders of the justice or municipal court.
(g)  A justice or municipal court may not refer a person who violates a court order while 17 years of age or older to a juvenile court for delinquency proceedings for contempt of court.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.