You may be denied issuance of a driver's license or if you have a driver's license, your privilege to drive may be suspended until you comply with the order(s) of this court. The following is a list of acts that can cause you to be denied or to lose your license:

• Failing to appear in court
• Failing to pay or discharge your fine and cost
• Failing to take and present proof of taking an alcohol or tobacco awareness course
• Violating a court order in the court's judgment

Some offenses, such as Alcoholic Beverage Code offenses, require courts upon conviction to order the Department of Public Safety to deny issuance of or to suspend a defendant's driver's license for a period of time.

The records of this court, including all records in your case, are public and accessible to the public. However, if you are convicted of an offense in this court, the records in your case will be subject to an order of nondisclosure prohibiting release of the records to anyone except you or other criminal or specified non-criminal justice agencies.

You may be entitled to an expunction of the records of a conviction in your case in the following instances:

• For a single alcohol conviction, you may petition this court for an expunction after your 21st birthday.
• For tobacco convictions, you may petition this court for expunction after your 18th birthday.
• For a single conviction for failure to attend school violation, you may petition this court for an expunction after your 18th birthday.
• For a single conviction of any other non-traffic violation, you may petition this court for expunction after your 17th birthday.
• If you have questions concerning the right to, need for, or consequences of expunction, please consult with a licensed attorney.

Appearance Requirements

You and your parent or legal guardian must appear in open court. You are not allowed to appear by mail or delivery of a plea or fine to the clerk's office. The clerk's office will mail a notice your parent or legal guardian advising them that you have been cited and that an appearance is required on a specific date and time.

Continuing Obligation to Appear

• You and your parent or legal guardian have a duty to continue appearing in court even after you reach age 17.
• If you fail to appear before reaching age 17, you can be arrested and brought before the court.
• If you fail to appear after your 17th birthday and after notification by this court, you can be charged with an additional offense of violation of obligation to appear and be arrested in the same manner as an adult.

Continuing Obligation to Notify Court of Address Change

• You and your parent or legal guardian have an obligation to inform the court in writing each time you change your address.
• You must notify the court within seven days of each change of address.
• This obligation continues until your case is fully resolved and all fines and cost are paid or discharged. This obligation does not end when you turn age 17.
• Failure to make a proper notification may cause you and your parent or guardian to be charged with an additional criminal violation and to be arrested.

Failure to Pay Fine & Turning Age 17

Even when you turn age 17, you are still obligated to discharge your responsibility to the court by paying your fine. If you do not, at age 17, the court may issue a Capias Pro Fine Warrant for your arrest.

You may then be committed to jail until you have earned enough jail credit to satisfy the fines and cost owed.

Juveniles ages 17 to 20 years old must appear in open court. You are not allowed to appear by mail or delivery of a plea or fine to the clerk's office.

The court will mail a notice to you advising that an appearance is required on a specific date and time.

If you fail to pay your fine and cost or violate other orders of the court's judgment, the court must provide you an opportunity to explain your conduct. The court may take the following actions:

• Determine that you are not in contempt
• Refer your case to the county juvenile court as delinquent conduct
• Retain jurisdiction and find you in contempt and assess a fine up to $500 and/or order the Texas Department of Public Safety to suspend or deny issuance of a driver's license until you comply with the court's order.