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What to do if you are cited (get a ticket). Cases & Revenues JUVENILE ACTIVITY (excluding traffic offenses) ALCOHOL/DRUG OFFENSES INVOLVING MINORS (UNDER 21) AND ADULTS
Joyce Spisak was sworn in as the City of Fredericksburg Municipal Judge on December 15, 2008. Judge Spisak received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science from the University of Oregon where she later received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the School of Law. While still attending law school, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Following graduation from the Law School, Judge Spisak was admitted to practice law in Oregon and entered active military service. She served in the Air Force for nearly 26 years during which time she served as both prosecutor and defense counsel, taught law at the U.S. Air Force Academy, defended the United States in Federal Courts, taught Continuing Legal Education courses on Estate Planning, and served as Judge and Senior Judge on the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals among many other assignments. In 2004 Judge Spisak was admitted to practice law in Texas and completed basic and advanced training as a mediator. After retiring from the Air Force, Judge Spisak served as a mediator for the next two years. She also served as Special Prosecutor for the City of Fredericksburg from 2005 through November 2008. During her lengthy Air Force career, Judge Spisak and her husband, Jim, had the opportunity to live in many different parts of this great country, as well as overseas. During the last ten years of their service they began trying to determine where they wanted to retire. While assigned to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio they decided that Texas was the place they wanted to make their home. The warm and friendly people, the wonderful climate, and the relaxed western lifestyle all appealed. After a four day stay in Fredericksburg there was no doubt exactly where in the great State of Texas they would make their home. Following Judge Spisak’s retirement in the summer of 2004 they built their home and settled here. As Municipal Judge, Judge Spisak presides at misdemeanor trials of fine-only city ordinance, traffic, and penal code violations, such as public intoxication, disorderly conduct and minor assaults. The fines are generally up to $200 for traffic violations, $500 for penal code violations and can be up to $2,000 for violations relating to fire, safety, zoning, public health, and sanitation. State imposed court costs, up to $104 per violation, must be collected as well. Judge Spisak also has magistrate duties, which include issuing search and arrest warrants, mental health commitments, seizure of abused animals, and Emergency Protective Orders. More citizens come into personal contact with municipal courts than with all other Texas courts combined. Judge Spisak believes it is her responsibility to ensure such contact leaves a positive impression of our judicial system. After all, for most of those who come to the Municipal Court—whether appearing as a defendant, witness, or juror—this will be their only personal contact with the system. Thus, the public’s impression of the entire judicial system is affected and shaped in large measure by the proceedings held in our municipal courts. Municipal Court Clerk: Sally Tatsch Ms. Tatsch has served as the Municipal Court Clerk since November, 1998. Ms. Tatsch plays an important role in the operations of the court. In addition be being responsible for all court records, she also accepts payment of fines, and answers non-legal questions concerning the court and individual cases, and explains court procedures to defendants, like what happens if they plead guilty or elect to present their case at trial. Although the judge is responsible for guiding the court, the clerk actually sees more defendants while managing the day-to-day operations. Her duties include compiling jurors for trial, preparing court papers, such as protective orders and warrants, and handling payments. Ms. Tatsch was born in Kerrville and moved to Fredericksburg more than 40 years ago. She was a long-time volunteer with the Fredericksburg Free Clinic, now called the Good Samaritan Center and still spends her vacations in northern Mexico where she assists at a medical mission, called the Mision de Candelilla, which is run by her twin sister. Ms. Tatsch is active in her church, Primera Iglesia Bautista, and just finished organizing the third annual Hispanic Women’s Hill Country Conference, a non-denominational religious retreat. Sally and her husband David have one daughter, Christine and three grandsons, Joshua David, Joseph Christian, and Benjamin. Ms Tatsch is fluent in Spanish. Ella habla Español.
1. Click on the Reply Form link below and complete the form. The form allows you to plead “Not Guilty” and request a trial or plead “No Contest” and pay your fine. 2. If you decide to plead “No Contest,” pay the fine indicated in the chart below. If the offense is not listed there, you may call the Municipal Court Clerk at the number above to learn what the fine will be. Checks and money orders must be made payable to “City of Fredericksburg” and mailed or hand delivered to the address above. 3. If you are eligible for a Driving Safety Course Dismissal, complete and return the Reply Form along with $105.00 Court Costs BY YOUR APPEARANCE DATE. This course in not available to commercial license holders. Important: If you do not respond BY YOUR APPEARANCE DATE additional charges will be filed against you. Additional fees will be added, you will be unable to renew your driver’s license, you will be ineligible to take a driver’s safety course and warrants for your arrest will be issued. Telephone calls do not count as an appearance.
NOTE: Violations in a construction zone are double the amount shown.
Activity by Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total Cases Filed 2,193 1,958 1,492 1,157 Traffic 1,836 1,590 1,072 1,138 City Ordinance 25 25 80 55 Penal Code 332 343 340 386 Juvenile Cases 109 77 59 141 Emergency Protective Orders 0 2 0 1
Total Fines & Costs Collected $232,516 235,247 $188,161 $183.61
The City of Fredericksburg joined this program on November 11, 1998. Violators who do not contact the court or who default on payment are entered in the DPS data base and are unable to renew their driver’s license until the case is resolved or the fine is paid. A fee of $30.00 is added to the cost of the ticket when it is entered into the program.
2005 2006 2007 2008
Juvenile Activity (excluding traffic offenses) Offense 2005 2006 2007 2008
Alcohol and Drug Offenses Involving Minors (under 21) and Adults The data below reflects only those cases filed in the Municipal Court. The data does not include information on DWI or third alcohol offenses by minors, both of which are filed in the County or District Court. The law requires four sanctions when a defendant under 21 is convicted of an alcohol offense: a fine of up to $500; community service, attendance at an alcohol awareness class, and driver license suspension for 30 or 60 days. The alcohol awareness class is offered locally through FISD community Education.
Offense 2005 2006 2007 2008
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