Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1

WARNING:  

Do not attempt to contact the Judge by mail, email, phone, or in person about pending criminal or civil matters. Doing so may be considered ex parte communication and could result in serious consequences.

Criminal / Traffic Citation Information

The court cannot give legal advice! It is recommended that you consult an attorney if you are unsure of how you want to handle your case. This court cannot speak to anyone about another person's citation.

Juveniles

  • Any person 16 years or younger, must appear with a parent or guardian. You must call to make an appointment to speak with the Judge about your citation in open court.
  • Minors (17 - 20 years) with alcohol or tobacco charges must appear before the judge.

Paying Fines

Payment Methods

Cashiers Check, Money Order, or Credit Card Only

Cash or personal checks are not accepted.

To pay with a credit card online or by phone: contact certified payments at 866-549-1010 or go to the  Certified Payments webpage.

When paying a citation for Precinct 1, you must use bureau code 3740102. This bureau code is for Precinct 1 payments only. If you remit payment to this bureau code for another precinct citation, your payment will be refunded and your case may fall delinquent in the correct court.

Plea Definitions

  • A plea of No Contest means that you do not contest the State's charge(s) against you but do not admit guilt and agree to pay the fine or costs assessed by the judge.
  • A plea of Guilty means that you do not contest the State's charge(s) against you admit guilt and agree to pay the fine or costs assessed by the judge.
  • A plea of Not Guilty and you would have to decide either a trial by judge waiving my right to a jury trial or a trial by jury. This means that you intend to contest the charge(s) against you. Your case will be rescheduled for trial and you will be mailed notice of when to appear for a pre-trial hearing.

Traffic Citation Options

Pay citations in full

Appear in person, pay online, or mail in payment. Submitting full payment for your fine and costs constitutes a plea of no contest and the offense will be reported as a conviction.

Extension to pay in full

Enter your plea in writing and submit it to the court by your due date. The offense will be reported as a conviction. You will be given 30 days to pay in full. If not paid within 30 days a $15 time-payment fee will be added.

Driving Safety Course (DSC)

You may be eligible for a driver safety course to satisfy your traffic citation.

Deferred Disposition (probation)

Dismissals

Potential dismissals for such offenses as Expired Registration, Expired Driver's License, or Defective Equipment may be dismissed if you remedy the defect (if expired registration you must pay the penalty fee with the tax assessor's office), submit in paper form (photos or receipts) to the court either by the 20th day after your citation date or by the "on or before" date listed on your citation which these dismissals carry a $10 dismissal fee. If you were cited for No Insurance and you had current insurance on the date at the time of your traffic stop, you may present proof of your insurance to the court for dismissal with no dismissal fee. If you did not have current insurance at the time of your traffic stop, your case cannot be dismissed

Alternatives to Payment of Fines and Costs

Traffic Forms

Civil Case Information


https://kendallcotx.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

The court cannot give legal advice! It is recommended that you consult an attorney if you are unsure of how you want to handle your case.

When filing a civil case, you must file it in the correct precinct, the court does not determine which precinct is correct for your situation. Please read the civil filing information provided below for the type of civil filing you are seeking or you can use this interactive map if you are looking within Kendall County.

For all out-of-county services, it is the plaintiff's responsibility to determine who will be serving the civil paperwork for the case he or she is bringing before the court.

This court processes the petition, issues the civil citation, and sends it with your separate check to whom you specify for service. Verify the amount of service when verifying who will be serving your documents.

The plaintiff must call or look up who will serve the civil citation and provide all pertinent information to the court along with a Separate check made payable to whoever will be serving the documents. Service fees vary from county to county, make sure you know the correct amount to submit.

For Kendall County only: Determine which Precinct provides service to your address.

  • Evictions Filing Fee: $54
    Fees for Service: $100 (per person being served)
  • Small Claims Filing Fee: $54
    Fees for Service: $100 (per person being served)
  • Debt Claims Filing Fee: $54
  • Alias Citation Fee $25 Request to Be Submitted with Fee Before Issuance

Civil Forms

Marriage Ceremonies  Performed by appointment ONLY Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

  • Fill out the Wedding Request Form (PDF) and return it to Judge Van Stavern's Office.  
  • No pets! 
  • 30 minutes MAX, 
  • 12 Guests MAX unless there is a special circumstance discussed with the Judge prior. 

No food or drinks.