FIRE, POLICE, MUNICIPAL COURT, & ANIMAL CONTROL
Fire Department
The function of the Volunteer Fire Department is to protect lives and property in both the City of Hereford and Deaf Smith County. Department responsibilities include responding to residential and commercial structure fires, hazardous material incidents, motor vehicle accidents with injured or trapped persons, and as the first responder on all life-threatening medical emergencies.
The department is also responsible for conducting fire prevention activities, including inspections, plan reviews, and public education.
The Fire Marshal is the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Hereford and Deaf Smith County.Telephone:(806) 363-7100
M – F: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
911 EMERGENCY ONLY
Located at 215 N. Miles
Police Department
Traditionally the police function has entailed the responsibilities of the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the keeping of public peace. These are still the vital parts of the police role and include satellite duties such as proper reporting, investigation of offenses, and court testimony. However, the police function within the community has evolved into one involving great sociological impact.
Law Enforcement is called upon to make more decisions daily, which more seriously affect people’s lives than any other governmental entity. Therefore, the functions of enforcement, prevention, protection, and peacekeeping must be conducted in conjunction with responsiveness to and compassion for the needs and rights of the community and the individual.Non-Emergency Calls:(806) 363-7120
Police Department website: www.hereford911.com
Municipal Court
City of Hereford Municipal Court
212 N Lee Ave
Hereford, TX 79045
806-363-7127
municipalcourt@herefordtexas.gov
OPEN Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Presiding Judge: Cindy Simons
Alt Judge/Clerk: Cindy Madrigal
How to Resolve Your Case in Municipal Court:
BE PREPARED TO SHOW YOUR ID
If you are 16 years old or younger, you are required by law appear in court with a parent or legal guardian for all violations.
This site briefly explains the main options for resolving your case. If you have questions about these options you should contact the court. The court staff cannot give you legal advice or tell you which option to choose, we can only explain your options.
You may hire an attorney but the court cannot appoint one for you. The case against you is prosecuted by the State of Texas, not the court. The judge generally may not dismiss cases without the prosecutor having the right to try the case. There are some exceptions to this rule, including: driving safety courses, deferred adjudications, compliance dismissals, etc..
Entering a Plea:
When you get a citation, you must enter a plea. You must make your plea on or before the 14 business days from the date of your citation. Remember, only the person who received the citation can sign the plea form or enter a plea.
Plea choices:
Nolo contendere (No Contest):
A plea of nolo contendere means that you accept the penalty for the charge brought against you without admitting guilt. It has the same effect as a guilty plea in the criminal case, but it cannot be used as an admission of guilt in a lawsuit arising from the same incident. You will also pay the fine ordered by the court and it may show a conviction on your criminal or driving record.
Guilty:
A plea of guilty is an admission of committing the act, you will pay the fine ordered by the court and a conviction will show on your criminal or driving record.
Not Guilty:
A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the court that you deny guilt and you are requesting to be placed on the docket, to speak to the city prosecutor. You will then be given a date and time to come to docket. You must come in person to request to be placed on docket unless you live out of town/state. If you and the prosecutor cannot come to an agreement, you have the right to request a trial by judge or jury.
Options To Keep The Citation Off of Your Driving Record:
Driving Safety Course (DSC):
This option is only available to those who have a valid TEXAS driver’s license
This option is only available for traffic offenses that are classified as “moving violations”.
Present a certified copy of your “driver record”: available at www.texas.gov/driver
Proof of insurance with you listed as one of the drivers
Pay $144
*do NOT take the driving safety course until you are given permission by the court*
You are not allowed to take the DSC if you had any of the following:
Have a CDL (commercial driver’s license)
Have taken the course in the last 12 months
Speeding 25mph or more over the speed limit
Passing a school bus when loading or unloading
Citation was in a work zone w/workers present
Leaving the scene of an accident
Upon completion of the DSC, you will need to bring, mail or email a copy of the DSC certificate. Once we received your certificate, your citation will be dismissed.
Deferred Adjudication:
This option has probationary-type requirements, available for both traffic and criminal violations.
Deferred disposition is discretionary with the court. The judge will decide whether to allow a deferred disposition. After you pay the special expense fee, and any other requirements set by the court, the finding of guilt is suspended from 30 to 180 days. During the probationary period, you must not receive any new citations for charges of the same type of charge you are deferring. Upon completion of the requirements, and the deferred time frame, your citation will be dismissed.
(Out-of-town and out-of-state defendants may contact the court via phone call or email)
You are not allowed to defer your citation if you have any of the following:
Have a CDL (commercial driver’s license)
Have deferred a citation/charge in the last 12 months
Speeding 25mph or more over the speed limit
Passing a school bus loading or unloading
Citation was in a work zone w/workers present
Leaving the scene of an accident
CDL (commercial driver’s license) Holders:
In municipal court, your only options are the following:
-Pay the fine/court costs
-Appeal it to the Deaf Smith County Court
If you choose to appeal your citation you will need to bring/mail a money order for $250.00, made out to the “Deaf Smith County Clerk”. We will the money order, along with your citation, and they will handle it from there.
-Contact your attorney about the citation
Trials:
You have the right to a trial by judge or a jury. Prior to the day of trial, you must attend a docket call. This docket call will be scheduled for you to attend in person. At this docket, you will have the opportunity to speak with the city prosecutor and receive a plea offer. The plea offer from the prosecutor may include a driving safety course, deferred adjudication, a reduction in fines or dismissal. All plea offers are subject to the approval of the court. If the case is not resolved at the docket, it will be set for trial and the court will notify you of the date of your trial.
If you are found “not guilty” at the trial, you will not owe any money.
If you are found “guilty,” the jury or judge will set the amount of the fine, and the court costs will be added as required by state law. You will have 10 days to pay the total or you may ask the court about payment arrangements.
You may also appeal a finding of guilt. The court will give you instructions about the right to appeal and the procedures for appeal. (The Hereford Municipal Court is a court of non-record, all appeals are de novo proceedings.)
*Payments:
We accept the following forms of payment:
Cash
Debit/Credit Cards (we do not accept American Express)
Money Orders/Cashier’s Checks (made out to: City of Hereford Municipal Court)
*We do NOT accept personal checks, no exceptions
You can pay:
In person (be prepared to show your ID)
Over the phone @ 806-363-7127 (be prepared to give your full name)
Online @
Mail to: 212 N Lee Ave, Hereford, TX 79045
*Additional fines may be added to any late payments, once all attempts to contact you have been made. It is your responsibility to provide the court with a correct mailing address.
Requesting a Payment Plan:
You may request a payment plan. The clerk will then give you the standard 30 day extension form. Adjustments may be made as needed and/or other arrangements may be made in order to fulfill your payment obligations; such as community service, job search credit, etc..
INDIGENCY:
If you are unable to pay your fine(s) for insufficient income or no income, we will give you an indigent form to fill out and return to the court to schedule an indigency hearing.
If you have a warrant (out of this court) contact us so that we may try to resolve it.
Further information:
If you pay the fine, a judgement of conviction will be entered. This may affect your driving record or criminal record, and may cause additional consequences, so please read your forms carefully. If you have questions about your Texas driving record, you may contact the Texas Department of Public Safety. You may also want to consult an attorney.
What happens if you don’t make a plea or ignore the citation:
When you receive a citation, you are given 14 business days to take care of your citation by making your plea and taking care of your fine(s). Keep in mind that a phone call does NOT constitute as an appearance.
-If you have not plead, after your initial 14 business days, we will sent out a ‘reminder letter’, asking you to respond within 7 days of the day of the letter.
If you do not respond, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
-If you made a plea and made payment arrangements but have not paid your fine(s), we will send you a ‘show cause hearing’ letter giving you a date and time to talk to the judge. At this hearing, you may speak to the judge and explain your reason for not paying your past due amount(s).
If you do not respond to the show cause hearing letter within 7 days, from the date of the letter, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
It is your responsibility to make sure we have a correct mailing address for you.
Jail Credit:
You may request to have your citation reviewed for jail credit. In order for the response to be considered, a Motion For Time Served will need to be completed and returned for review. This form can be located here.
FORMS and external links:
RECORDS REQUEST Form
To find out if your license has a hold or is suspended for the State of Texas (TX DLs only), you may check here: www.texasfailuretoappear.com
Animal Shelter
The Animal Control Department operates under the supervision of the Street Department and regulates the keeping of domestic animals, wild livestock, fowl and vicious animals. This department enforces state laws and City ordinances concerning rabies vaccination, registrations and the number of domestic animals per household. It promotes and maintains an adoption program for unclaimed animals in addition to their impoundment and care. This department also investigates bite/scratch incidents, with the possibility of quarantine of the animals involved. It also provides education and promotes the responsible care of all animals.
Hereford Animal Shelter
Located at: Located at 15th Street & Progressive Road
Telephone: (806) 363-7120
