Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Article 45A.303
Deferred Disposition Requirements


(a)

Notwithstanding any other law, as an alternative to requiring a defendant charged with one or more offenses to pay all fines and court costs as required by Article 45A.302 (Deferred Disposition), the judge may:

(1)

allow the defendant to enter into an agreement to pay those fines and costs in installments during the defendant’s period of deferral;

(2)

require an eligible defendant to discharge all or part of those fines and costs by performing community service or attending a tutoring program under Article 45A.254 (Community Service to Satisfy Fines or Costs) or 45A.460 (Community Service to Satisfy Fines or Costs for Certain Juvenile Defendants for Offenses on School Grounds);

(3)

waive all or part of those fines and costs under Article 45A.257 (Waiver of Payment of Fines and Costs); or

(4)

take any combination of actions authorized by Subdivision (1), (2), or (3).

(b)

During the deferral period, the judge may require the defendant to:

(1)

secure payment of the fine by posting a bond in the amount of the fine assessed as punishment for the offense;

(2)

pay restitution to the victim of the offense in an amount not to exceed the amount of the fine assessed as punishment for the offense;

(3)

submit to professional counseling;

(4)

submit to diagnostic testing for alcohol or a controlled substance or drug;

(5)

submit to a psychosocial assessment;

(6)

successfully complete an alcohol or drug abuse treatment or education program, such as:

(A)

a drug education program that is designed to educate persons on the dangers of drug abuse in accordance with Section 521.374 (Educational Program or Equivalent Education)(a)(1), Transportation Code, and that is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171 (Educational Programs Regulated by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation), Government Code; or

(B)

an alcohol awareness program described by Section 106.115 (Alcohol Awareness Program; License Suspension), Alcoholic Beverage Code, that is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 171 (Educational Programs Regulated by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation), Government Code;

(7)

pay the costs of any diagnostic testing, psychosocial assessment, or treatment or education program participation as reimbursement fees:

(A)

directly; or

(B)

through the court as court costs;

(8)

complete a driving safety course approved under Chapter 1001 (Driver and Traffic Safety Education), Education Code, or another course as directed by the judge;

(9)

present to the court satisfactory evidence that the defendant has complied with each requirement imposed by the judge under this subchapter; and

(10)

comply with any other reasonable condition.

(c)

A judge who requires a defendant to successfully complete an alcohol awareness program or drug education program as described by Subsection (b)(6) shall require the defendant to pay a reimbursement fee for the cost of the program, unless the judge determines that the defendant is indigent and unable to pay the cost.

(d)

The judge may allow the defendant to pay the fee described by Subsection (c) in installments during the deferral period.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.

Source: Article 45A.303 — Deferred Disposition Requirements, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.­45A.­htm#45A.­303 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

45A.001
Chapter Purpose and Objectives
45A.002
Definitions
45A.003
Applicability
45A.004
Rules of Evidence
45A.005
Prosecuting Attorney
45A.006
General Duties of Municipal Attorneys
45A.051
Electronic Records
45A.052
Court Seal
45A.053
Docket
45A.054
Filing by Mail
45A.055
Confidential Records Related to Fine-only Misdemeanors
45A.101
Complaint
45A.102
Objection to Charging Instrument
45A.103
Service of Process for Municipal Court
45A.104
Arrest Warrant
45A.105
Arrest Warrant Without Complaint
45A.106
Defendant Placed in Jail
45A.107
Bail
45A.108
Felony Offense Committed in Another County
45A.151
Defendant’s Plea
45A.152
Defendant’s Refusal to Plead
45A.153
Plea of Guilty or Nolo Contendere Generally
45A.154
Plea of Guilty or Nolo Contendere by Defendant in Jail
45A.155
Jury Waiver
45A.156
Jury Summoned
45A.157
Failure to Appear for Jury Trial
45A.158
Attorney Representing State Not Present for Trial
45A.159
Jury Selection and Formation
45A.160
Defendant’s Right to Attorney
45A.161
Order of Argument
45A.162
Directed Verdict
45A.163
Jury Charge
45A.164
Jury Kept Together During Deliberation
45A.165
Mistrial
45A.166
Verdict
45A.201
New Trial
45A.202
Appeal
45A.203
Appeal Bond
45A.204
Effect of Appeal
45A.251
Judgment
45A.252
Sufficiency of Resources to Pay Fines or Costs
45A.253
Discharging Fines or Costs
45A.254
Community Service to Satisfy Fines or Costs
45A.255
Community Service in Certain Cases Involving Deferred Disposition
45A.256
Forfeiture of Cash Bond to Satisfy Fines and Costs
45A.257
Waiver of Payment of Fines and Costs
45A.258
Reconsideration of Satisfaction of Fines or Costs
45A.259
Capias Pro Fine
45A.260
Appearance by Telephone or Videoconference
45A.261
Commitment
45A.262
Discharged from Jail
45A.263
Civil Collection of Fines and Costs After Judgment
45A.264
Collection of Fines and Costs by Municipality
45A.301
Applicability
45A.302
Deferred Disposition
45A.303
Deferred Disposition Requirements
45A.304
Deferred Disposition Requirements: Moving Violation Committed by Young Defendant
45A.305
Dismissal of Complaint on Compliance with Judicial Requirements
45A.306
Show Cause Hearing on Failure to Comply with Judicial Requirements
45A.307
Judicial Actions on Show Cause Hearing
45A.351
Applicability
45A.352
Driving Safety or Motorcycle Operator Training Course Completion
45A.353
Certain Defendants Entitled to Complete Driving Safety or Motorcycle Operator Training Course
45A.354
Content of Notice to Appear
45A.355
Extension for Good Cause
45A.356
Judicial Actions Following Plea
45A.357
Effect of Dismissal or Course Completion
45A.358
Additional Fines and Fees Relating to Course Request
45A.359
Driving Record Retrieval and Related Fee
45A.401
Dismissal of Misdemeanor Charge on Completion of Teen Court Program
45A.402
Dismissal of Complaint on Commitment of Person with Chemical Dependency
45A.403
Dismissal of Parent Contributing to Nonattendance Charge
45A.451
Juvenile Case Managers
45A.452
Plea
45A.453
Child Taken into Custody
45A.454
Conduct Alleged on School Property
45A.455
Child Taken into Custody for Violation of Juvenile Curfew or Order
45A.456
Continuing Obligation to Appear for Unadjudicated Child, Now Adult
45A.457
Finding that Offense Committed
45A.458
Finding of Electronic Transmission of Certain Visual Material Depicting Minor
45A.459
Community Service to Satisfy Fines or Costs for Certain Juvenile Defendants
45A.460
Community Service to Satisfy Fines or Costs for Certain Juvenile Defendants for Offenses on School Grounds
45A.461
Failure to Pay Fine or Appear
45A.462
Confidential Records Related to Certain Charges Against or Convictions of Child
45A.463
Expunction of Certain Records of Child or Minor
45A.464
Expunction of Records Related to Failure to Attend School

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

Art. 45A.303’s source at texas​.gov