About Your Ticket

What exactly is my Ticket?

Your ticket is a legal document that charges you with a violation of the Municipal Ordinances of Tulsa. If you receive a ticket, you are required to take certain action.

What do I do if I receive a Traffic or Criminal Code ticket?
If you are pleading guilty or no contest, AND your ticket has a dollar amount listed on the front of the ticket, you have the following options:

Pay online: Online

Pay By Mail:
(If you’d like a receipt, please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope)

Pay In Person:

What methods of payment do you accept?
The Court will accept Cash, Check, Money Order and VISA/MASTERCARD. You must present a valid Drivers’ License

What if my ticket does not have a dollar amount listed on the front?
You MUST APPEAR at the arraignment (your first appearance) even if you wish to pay the ticket in full on that day.

What is my arraignment?
Your arraignment is the first appearance you make in Court when you receive a ticket. That date is listed on the front the ticket. If you choose to plead guilty, no contest or not guilty before the Judge, YOU MUST APPEAR in person at the time, date and location specified. It is recommended that you come 30 minutes early to find the Division of the Court you are scheduled in.

What happens if I fail to appear at the arraignment?
If you fail to appear by the arraignment date on your ticket, a Bench Warrant will be issued for your arrest and your potential fine may be increased to the maximum allowed by Law. Other court costs may be added to your fine as well.

What can I do if I have missed my arraignment date?
If you missed your first appearance, you can request that your case be 'added-on' to the docket, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Your ticket will then be brought around to the Court assigned to it and you will get the opportunity to plead to your ticket on that day. Depending on the size of the regular docket of cases, you may have to wait as much as 2 hours before your 'add-on' ticket is called.

Do I still have to come to Court if I have paid my ticket in advance of the arraignment date?
This applies to tickets with a dollar amount on the front only. Once you pay your ticket in full, in advance of the arraignment date, this concludes your business with the Court on that ticket.

What if I can't pay all my fine(s) and costs on the day I plead guilty or no contest?
When you plead guilty or no contest at your arraignment, your total fines(s) and costs are due in full that day by 5 p.m. If you cannot pay in full, you can ask the Court to consider giving you some time to pay the balance. Being given time to pay is in the sole discretion of the Court. Alternatives include doing workdays for the City as well as incarceration.

What do I do if I want to plead Not Guilty?
If you choose to plead not guilty, several options are available. The Court may schedule a "Pre-Trial" conference a few weeks into the future to give you time to hire an Attorney or consult with the City Prosecutor. The Court may, depending on the seriousness of your offense, go ahead and set you down for a Non-Jury Trial or a Jury Trial.

Even though I received a ticket for having 'No Insurance', I did have insurance in effect at the time. What can I do?
If your INSURANCE was in effect at the time you received your ticket, simply show proof at the Records Department up to 48 hours before your court appearance. If acceptable proof is shown, your ticket will be dismissed without any costs to you. If you wish to provide proof within 48 hours of your court appearance, you must go to Court to show your proof. Your case will still be dismissed, although, court cost will be assessed.

Even though I received a ticket for not having my Driver's License on me, I did have a license. What can I do?
If your drivers’ license was in good standing (meaning not suspended or revoked) at the time you got your ticket, simply show proof of your License at the Records Department up to 48 hours before your court appearance. If acceptable proof is shown, your ticket will be dismissed without any costs to you. If you wish to provide proof within 48 hours of your court appearance, you must go to Court to show your proof. Your case will still be dismissed at no cost to you.

Who can I call if I still have questions about my ticket?
You may call our Court Records Dept. at (918) 596-1625 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. While the staff cannot provide you with legal advice, they can assist with basic questions about your ticket.