People with unpaid criminal judgments to Galveston County may have trouble registering vehicles at the tax office after the New Year.
Owners of nearly 2,300 vehicles soon will receive letters from the county’s Office of Justice Administration notifying them that a data file has been uploaded into the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle’s vehicle database and that registration renewals will only be processed if payment is made or a pay agreement initiated. Each renewal form will include a statement regarding the unpaid fine and will require that registration be made in person.
The Texas Transportation Code allows a county assessor-collector to refuse to register a motor vehicle if the owner of the vehicle owes a fine, fee or tax that is at least 90 days past due.
Eleven cities and seven counties participate in a program that has proved to be an effective tool in collection of unpaid county court of law, justice of the peace, and municipal traffic fines.
Those receiving a notification are advised to contact the Galveston County Department of Court and Pre-Trial Services at 409-765-2611 or 409-765-2616.
Tax office office staff will have no information about the unpaid judgments or offenses involved — only that a fine is unpaid and requires resolution.
