Deferred/Defensive Driving

By a plea of guilty, you admit the act is prohibited by law and that you committed the act charged. A plea of guilty may be used against you later in a civil suit if there was a traffic accident (another party can say you were at fault or responsible for the accident because you plead guilty to the traffic charge). A plea of no contest means that you do not contest the State’s charge against you. A plea of no contest may not be used against you in a subsequent civil suit for damages. With a plea of guilty or no contest you have the following options:

Deferred Disposition (DD)

DD is a probation period of up to 180 days in which the judge requires the defendant to adhere to certain conditions. All deferred will be required to appear at the end for a review hearing. If you successfully comply with all of the judge’s orders, then the violation will be dismissed. If you do not successfully comply with all of the judge’s orders, then the offense will be reported as a conviction, and in some cases will result in a license suspension.

Moving Violations

The deferral period is for 120 days during which you must:

Pay the court costs at the time of the request, the deferred disposition fine is due by the end of the deferral period; and
Not be convicted of any offenses of a similar nature within the City of Leon Valley.
Additional conditions (as applicable): If you were less than 25 years old at the time of the violation, you must complete a driving safety course and submit the original court copy of the certificate of completion. If you hold a provisional Driver license, you are required to present proof that you were reexamined by Department of Public Safety.

Non-Moving Violations

The deferral period is for 120 days during which you must:

Pay at least the court costs at the time of the request, the deferred disposition fine is due by the end of the deferral period; and
Not be convicted of any offenses of a similar nature within the City of Leon Valley.

Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

The deferral period is for 180 days during which you must:

At the time of the request, you must submit proof of valid insurance listing your name as a driver on the policy.
Pay the court costs at the time of the request, the deferred disposition fine is due by the end of the deferral period.
Maintain valid insurance (to be verified at end of deferral period); and
Not be convicted of any offenses of a similar nature within the City of Leon Valley.

Read and submit the Deferred Disposition Request Form.

You can submit your request in person, by email, or by regular mail: 6400 El Verde Rd, Leon Valley, Texas 78238. With your request you must include ALL of the following:

The Deferred Disposition Request form, or enter a plea and waive your right to a jury trial.
Photo ID
Current Insurance listing you as a driver on the policy
Signature (by typing your name at the bottom of your email or handwritten and attached)
Current phone number
Current mailing address

Driver Safety Course

If you were charged with a moving violation you may be eligible to take a six-hour driving safety course or motorcycle operator’s course in order to dismiss the charge. The request must be made on or before the appearance date noted on your citation. You must receive court approval prior to taking the course. The violation will be dismissed if you successfully complete the driving safety course and submit a certified copy of your driver record as maintained by the Department of Public Safety in Austin within 90 days of your approval date.

Eligibility

Have NOT taken a course within the 12 months preceding the date of the citation.
Have a valid Texas driver’s license or military identification card.
Have current proof of auto insurance.
Pay fees of $151.00 (or $176.00 if the offense was in a School Zone). [Note: if the violation happened prior to January 1st, 2020 please contact the court for more information]