Sunday, May 5, 2013

Traffic Book 777A3-2013-05-05 Page 1-33




EASY  REFERENCE




TO FIND




THE MEANING OF
TEXAS TRAFFIC & OTHER SO-CALLED VIOLATIONS
AGAINST NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY


BEING UNCONSTITUTIONAL



BOOK # 777-A3
(2013)






INFORMATION COLLECTED

By

San Jacinto Constitutional Study Group
                                                                        Eastern Div.                                   Western Div.                              Southern Div.                                Northern Div.
Civil Rights Investigators           P.O.Box 1697                  6763 Hwy  6 South                  P.O.Box 982                          1504 Memorial Ln.              Court Watchers
                                                                  Channelview, Texas                             1100-120                                     Alvin, Texas                         Conroe, Texas
                                                                        TPZ [77530]                                 Houston, Texas                            TPZ [77511]                            TPZ [77304]
                                                                                                                                TPZ [77083]




TOO MUCH TO LEARN

EASY REFERENCE



DEALING WITH TRAFFIC & OTHER SO-CALLED VIOLATIONS



This was created for reference only. It was never intended as legal advice or to replace legal advice.  It is recommended to seek a competent attorney (good luck with that) and show this information to him/her and let him/her show you where the information is wrong, before using any of it.  It is recommended that all information found in this Easy Reference should be verified by the user, before using any of it or believing in any of its contents.



BUYER BEWARE - This was intended to be given freely other than copying cost.



THIS REFERENCE MAY SHOW YOU THAT YOUR GRANDPARENTS TAUGHT YOUR PARENTS WRONG, AND IN TURN, YOUR PARENTS TAUGHT YOU WRONG, WHICH MADE YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WRONG ABOUT TRAFFIC AND OTHER LAWS.



IF YOU ARE THE POSTERITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THIS GOVERNMENT, THEN YOU ARE NOW THE KING OR QUEEN WHICH CREATED THIS GOVERNMENT.

WHY WOULD THE KING OR QUEEN ALLOW A PUBLIC SERVANT TO MAKE A LAW THAT WOULD PUT THE KING OR QUEEN IN JAIL?



MAYBE THEY REALLY HAVEN’T. MAYBE WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE PUT IN JAIL BY CONSENT, OR THEY DO IT ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE GUNS. {“Rule of 45”}



WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ASKED A PUBLIC SERVANT TO SHOW YOU THE LAW THAT YOU HAD VIOLATED?  DID YOU GO LOOK IT UP?  DID YOU SEE HOW THE LAW WAS PASSED?  DID YOU FIND WHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWED THAT PUBIC SERVANT TO PASS THAT LAW AGAINST YOU?



WOULD IT MAKE YOU MAD IF THAT LAW HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, BUT SOME LAWYER SAID IT DID AND MADE YOU PAY A FINE THAT YOU DIDN’T OWE?



HOW MANY SPEEDING TICKETS HAVE YOU PAID, WHERE YOU WERE  BEING REASONABLE & PRUDENT, BUT JUST HAPPENED TO BE GOING FASTER THAN SOME SIGN?



OH, I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING !! THERE HAS TO BE A LAW TO REGULATE OUR INDISCRETIONS AND, THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS WHATS BEST FOR US!!!



BUT, DO YOU REALLY THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE A LAW TO MAKE YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBOR TO GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE EACH MORNING AND DO JUMPING JACKS IN YOUR FRONT YARD?    NO?



THEN WHY DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE YOU JUMP DOING OTHER ACTIVITES THAT HARM NO ONE?





YOU’VE GOT TIME TO KEEP YOUR BLINDERS ON; STOP; DON’T TURN THE PAGE !



NOW YOU DONE IT.



WELCOME TO BAZARRO WORLD OF REALITY





TABLE OF CONTENTS

[Transportation Code]                          PAGE

FIRST THINGS FIRST (KISS) .....................................................................           1

DRIVER LICENSE ........................................................................................           4

TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE ACT ..............................................................            7

            More-Recent History (courts said no drivers license) ..................... 9

            Updating the Transportation Code very carefully .......................... 10

            Special drivers/ licenses for illegal Mexicans, et al. .........................            13

OPERATING ...................................................................................................         14

SPEEDING                                         [Signs, Section 201.904] .................   15

STOPPING ......................................................................................................          15

            Stop Signs, Stop Lights, Speeding Cameras, Red-Light Cameras .....            15

            Failure to Stop, Rolling Stop, Incomplete Stop ................................ 16

SAFETY INSPECTION – VEHICLE           ........................................................... 16

REGISTRATION – VEHICLE ......................................................................          18

SEAT BELTS                                     [Section 545.413] .............................  20

            Click It Or Ticket (or Not?)               

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ..................................................................           21

“Texas Sure” Vehicle Insurance Verification (tying up the loose peasants)            22

CERTIFICATE OF TITLE               [Chapter 501] ................................... 22

FAILURE TO IDENTIFY ...............................................................................         23

ARRESTED ......................................................................................................         24

FAILURE TO APPEAR ..................................................................................         27

SPECIAL APPEARANCE ..............................................................................          27

INDICTMENTS AND INFORMATIONS .....................................................           28

COMPLAINTS .................................................................................................         31

PERSON ............................................................................................................        33

JURISDICTION ...............................................................................................        33

Jurisdiction in Texas Criminal Code Of Procedure .........................            34

Jurisdiction in Texas ............................................................................         39

DUE PROCESS .................................................................................................        40


BEFORE ARRAIGNMENT ............................................................................         42

ARRAIGNMENT ..............................................................................................        42

PRE-TRIAL .......................................................................................................       43

TRIAL            ...............................................................................................................        44

MOTIONS (notice of location and Table of Contents for all Motions)        .......    44

            See also Appendix B .............................................................................         127

AFFIDAVITS .....................................................................................................       44

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ........................................................................         45

ORDER ...............................................................................................................      46

BILL OF DISCOVERY ....................................................................................        47

ACCUAL DISCOVERY ...................................................................................        50

BILL OF PARTICULARS ...............................................................................         51, 53


NOTICES ...........................................................................................................       55

            Appendix A, Fig. 1      (Constructive Notice) ....................................            57

            Appendix A, Fig, 2      (2nd Constructive Notice…) ..........................            60



TABLE OF CONTENTS


(Continued)

PAGE



JUDGES ..............................................................................................................      62

PROSECUTORS ...............................................................................................        63

CLERKS ............................................................................................................        65

OATHS ..............................................................................................................        67

PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT .....................................................................          69

OPEN MEETINGS ACT .................................................................................         74

OBJECTIONS ...................................................................................................        76

FINDINGS OF FACTS AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW ............................           76

VENUE ...............................................................................................................       78

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT .........................................................          78

APPEALS – FEDERAL ...................................................................................         79

STATE COURTS – All ......................................................................................       80

APPEALS – STATE ..........................................................................................        81

APPEALS CHECK OFF LIST ........................................................................         82

MUNICIPAL COURT           ......................................................................................         86

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ..............................................................................        86

COUNTY COURTS ...........................................................................................       87

STATE DISTRICT COURTS ...........................................................................        88

TEXAS SUPREME COURT .............................................................................        88

MANDAMUS ......................................................................................................      89

TEXAS ETHICS COMMITTEE ......................................................................        90

            Filing a Complaint on a Texas Judge ..................................................         90

CONTEMPT ......................................................................................................       96

BARRATRY ......................................................................................................        96

DAMAGES ........................................................................................................        98

REDEMPTION .................................................................................................        99

CASE CITES .....................................................................................................        100

U.S. CONSTITUTION           .....................................................................................          110

TEXAS CONSTITUTION ...............................................................................         113

UNITED STATES CODE   (ass’t’d Titles—see INDEX) .....................   118


LETTER TO DPS .............................................................................................        134

DEFINITIONS                       (a glossary) ....................................................            138

BADGES ............................................................................................................        143

COMMENTS .....................................................................................................        143

INDEX            ...............................................................................................................        144 

Appendix B     (modern Motions list) ........................................................... 127



*****************












FIRST THINGS FIRST


KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid



We Learn For Our Children’s Sake




It is Our Job To Protect Them and To Teach Them To Protect Themselves




You have to look at the knowledge that you are about to absorb as the same type of knowledge that you have absorbed over the years that keep you and your family safe every day. Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? This is very important thing to know even though hopefully you may not ever use the knowledge. There is no wasted knowledge, because you never know what or who may be saved by the knowledge you have acquired.



If you are one of these people that must watch a certain soap opera and it comes on a certain time of the day, invest in a DVR that can record your must see shows where you will have no excuse to learn. You see, recording a program where you can fast forward the commercials, before long you have saved that hour you can use studying this information. See, you have no excuse. You do have the time to learn and the time to create the paperwork to make the public servants jump and realize that you are not cost effective to mess with. Isn’t this what we all want, just to be left alone?



This is not about saving time and money. Like going to a college you may not ever use the knowledge you were force fed, but if that door opens, you will be glad that the knowledge was available and you took advantage of it when the opportunity arose.



You must continually study to update your knowledge of legal matters. This book is just a reference to that knowledge you will absorb. You must go to court and watch the judges and the attorneys and see how they interact with each other. It is not like you see on TV. You may find court hearing on the Internet, where you can watch at home, but there is nothing like being there in person, to see the railroad going down the track. After a while you will be able to talk to attorneys after the hearing and ask him/her why they didn’t do this or that for their client. You will see firsthand that finding a competent attorney is like looking for the Holy Grail. It may take some time. You must learn why the attorneys and judges do what they do. Read the rules.  Telling someone how to do some certain thing and not being in or had been in that situation, is like:  making a map to a certain place, having never been there yourself.  You may make some mistakes, which may keep them from getting to their destination.  Try to find someone that’s been there and done that and ask questions.  



Stop the Rumor. It is your responsibility to confirm the information that you are relying on. If you believe a liar and will not take the time to confirm the information is true and reliable, you have no one but yourself to blame.



Try to anticipate what the outcome will be if you do a certain thing, in a certain way. Think before you act. The rules will tell you the deadline to do a certain thing, if you read them. You must read the rules that the courts have to go by. You cannot expect anyone to listen to you if you are using rules for baseball, when you are in a football game. Ask for the local rules of court from the court clerk. The Texas website: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/ will allow you to down load the criminal procedure and the website: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/  will allow you to download the civil rules that you need.



The City Attorney must have the delegated authority from the County or District Attorney or other authority to represent the State as a prosecutor.  Ask for it. – Per Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Court.



Learn to ask effective questions - If you cannot answer my questions, who can?  Who is your supervisor?  What department are you in?



1.         Learn how to read for understanding.

2.         Understand that there is a chain of command.

3.         Everyone in that chain of command has a certain Duty.

4.         Understand what those duties are and sue for what they did not do and not for what they did.

5.         Write letters for information, if they do not answer, use the UCC.

6.         Write a Notice per the UCC-1-201.25, .26 & .27. Look it up.



States and Cities get their rights from Charters, not the Constitution.



Always answer a question with another Question:  isn't it?, doesn't it ?



Always ask pertinent questions like: When was Officer SOinSO dispatched, what are their official duties, what are his duties, who dispatched him, when was he dispatched, who is his superior, what are his duties, by what authority was he ordered to that act?  Can you send me the employment status of Officer SOinSO, can you send me a copy of the order directing the officer to do this act, etc. ...



Always state facts in the extreme mode - example:  Instead of, “The Officer asked for me to remove my clothes” - The same fact: " The Officer removed my clothes."  If this is denied, then it establishes that if something was not done in this manner, then something must have been done in some other manner—but was it lawful?  Make them transverse the issue.



A judge cannot be sued by what he does in his Judicial Capacity, but you can sue by what he does not do Administratively — like making sure your rights were not violated. You will always look in the rules (as rules change all the time) where the judge and his staff “shall” do this and that.  If you don't know what they are supposed to do, how can you sue them for what they don't do?



Remember you are suing for what they didn't do, not for what they did.  You sue for - Omission to secure to the party injured, the Bill of Rights, - failure to perform a legal obligation, or to do or refrain from performance of some act.



Local Rules of Court is a good starting point. You can get a copy from the court clerk, or find it on the Internet. Local Rules will show what the judge needs to do, what his/her staff is supposed to do, and what you obligations are that the judge expects you to get done in a certain time.



The Government has the obligation to secure rights to the injured party as enumerated in the Constitution or specified in Article 9 of the Bill of Rights.  If they don't, they have violated their Fiduciary Duty and can be sued for what they didn’t do.



The only way you can bring in violations of your Civil Rights in a Tort Claim, is not by stating Title 42 in your statement, but just the reasonable expectations of your Civil Rights—like ‘to feel secure in my home.’  You want to imply, but not say directly, your rights have been violated.



Precedence:  City and Justice of the Peace Courts has to go by what the Texas Constitution says and what the County Courts say, what the State District Courts say, what the Texas Appellate Courts say, what the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals say and what the Federal Courts say and what the United States Supreme Court say. The County Courts has to go by the Texas Constitution and what the State District Courts say, what the Texas Appellate Courts say, what the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals say and what the Federal Courts say and what the United States Supreme Court say; and what the Federal Courts say. The State District Courts has to go by the Texas Constitution, what the Texas Appellate Courts say, what the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals say and what the Federal Courts say and what the United States Supreme Court say.



Reference all documented statements with exhibits proving each conclusive point.



Very Important – There must be a foundation of all exhibits that you intend to use to prove your case. An affidavit is the easiest source that can be done to provide a foundation to each and every piece of evidence that you intend to use. You must establish how and when you came to obtain the evidence that you intend to submit in open court. If there is an objection to your evidence and the judge sustains the object, you must ask the jury to be excused to make an offer of proof in open court, so that the record will show the exhibit was denied to be shown to the jury so that the appellate court can review it. Affidavits must be rebutted by affidavit or Affidavits can be rebutted, by a motion to strike, if the affiant will not be available to be cross-examined about the affidavit in open court.



An example: “Plaintiff’s/Defendant’s Exhibit ? is a true and correct copy of a letter I received at my home by the United States Postal Service in February, 2012 purporting to be from Blank Rome LLP law firm claiming to represent Bank of America and responding to a letter I sent back in May, 2011.”



Today you can use express mail, priority mail or other means that the envelope can be tracked to the delivery point. Many like to use Certified Mail Green Cards as Exhibits showing delivery of documents that were not responded to, but a printout of the tracking record of the mailing can be used as Exhibits as well. Always be able to prove that an envelope was delivered to its designation purporting to contain the information that was sent.



Remember not to put Your Personal Feelings into any documents, which are sent to the Respondent.  Keep it Business-Like.



Re -Read your pleading documents and take out or rephrase any items in which you have put Your Personal Feelings.  Have a relative review the grammar, they may see something that you missed. Keep to the Facts ONLY. Learn what material facts are.













TORT SUIT Has to Have:

Parties and Captions

Opening Statement - factual statement, less than one page.

Jurisdictional Statement - Federal - Title 28  -or-  State - Texas Constitution Article 5 Section 8

Venue Statement - Where it happened, City & County

Statement of Facts - Separate Statements - Numbered. - How you have been Damaged

Cause of Action - Numbered - How that you arrived that you were damaged. - Numbered

Damages - Actual, Expenses, Compensatory and Exemplary or Punitive - Numbered

Declaratory Judgment - state everything that is a Right to you and a Duty of the judge to do. - Numbered

Any other  - Judgment that the Court deems necessary to Order.



When you send out a notice, you should specify in (Hours) as well as days to respond, from the time they receive it (which will include weekends and holidays in their response time).  Normal time to respond is 30 days (720 hours), then 20 days (480 hours), then 10 days (240 hours), then 3 days (72 hours), then 2 days (48 hours).



***

STANDING:  Standing is the prime consideration in Federal Court and also in state court. To have a “standing” in court, the Plaintiff must establish a personal stake in the outcome. You must satisfy the Constitutional standard.  This derives from case and controversy from Article III and it has two components, they are;

1. The Plaintiff must establish injury in fact.  This is generally economic injury but can also be esthetic, or environmental; but the injury must arise from the governmental conduct being complained against.  The court is very liberal in this item.  It is commonly used in civil cases. 

2. Redress ability.  The relief sought must eliminate the harmal edge.   The court is very strict in this item.



***

As Stated by the late Dan Meador “Consequently, there must be more focused strategy that engages the contest in judicial and political forums in such a fashion as to force general disclosure.  We aren’t going to secure reliable individual remedies until we secure general remedies.  But even before that, we’re going to have to come to grips with what we’re dealing with, and the mechanics of how it operates.”



*****************



DRIVER LICENSE



For many years, the Texas Legislature has used the appearance of power (authority) to "license" everything the Texas state wants to regulate, including using one's private property to travel upon the public highways, for one's own convenience and pleasure under the Right to Travel.  The Right to Travel, to go from place to place as a means for a transportation permit, is a natural right subject to rights of others and to reasonable regulation under law. (See) Shachtman v. Dulles, 225 F. 2d. 938, 941 (1955).



{Apparently, since the state cannot constitutionally license (charge money for a privilege that would otherwise be illegal—see below) our right to travel freely to assemble, etc.(See Article 1, Section 27 of the Texas Constitution); the ‘powers that be’ decided they would license driving as we know it—a natural person guiding an engine powered road-machine, as if it were a vehicle, e.g., an electric-motor vehicle, as if it were being used for commercial business purposes.  It’s a strange, apparently-gray area which the ‘powers that be’ who make revenue from licensing, registering, tickets/citations and/or serving as lawyers, judges, & etc. have evidently colluded to accept loose definitions under the color of law to regulate and control our activity.  The public servant’s pay and the fines/fees extracted from the public, creates a conflict of interests.  Judge, who do you work for? “The City”. Judge, who does the prosecutor work for? “The City”. Judge, who does the police officer work for? “The City”. Judge, if you find me guilty and make me pay a fine, who gets the money? “The City”. Judge, is there any incentive for you to find me not guilty? “No, in fact, dismissing your case might reflect on my retirement”. The common people do not understand that if they ALL would just say “Not Guilty and I want a trial by jury”, all the courts would be cooked within 30 days, as there would not be enough days or nights in the years to come to have that many jury trials. Now what if ALL people that got a ticket said “Not Guilty and I want a trial by jury” for 60 days or 90 days? When do you think your trial would come about, 2042? You could stick a fork in them, they would be done, but the public knows that they may have to take off another day of work and it is just more cost effective to pay them off. So here we are, the few of us that state, "it does not matter that it cost me $1000 in lost work, I will not be cost effective for the system. You will earn every penny you extract from me every time you write me that ticket and one of these days, you will pay me for writing me that ticket".}



The Driver's Privacy Protection Act was enacted by the U.S. Congress on August 24, 1994.  The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit the disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle records except under specific circumstances.



General Rule Of Texas Privacy Act, Texas Transportation Code, Chapters 730:

Personal Information contained in Motor Vehicle Records may not be disclosed to the public.

The purpose of this chapter is to implement 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123 and to protect the interest of an individual in the individual's personal privacy by prohibiting the disclosure and use of personal information contained in motor vehicle records, except as authorized by the individual or by law.



Ever been to www.publicdata.com, so much for the privacy act.



Trans. Code, Sec. 521.001.  Definitions

(a)  In this chapter:

...

(3) "Driver's license" means an authorization issued by the department for the operation of a motor vehicle.  The term includes:

(A) a temporary license or instruction permit; and

(B) an occupational license.

...

(6) "License" means an authorization to operate a motor vehicle that is issued under or granted by the laws of this state.  The term includes:

(A) a driver's license;

(B) the privilege of a person to operate a motor vehicle regardless of whether the person holds a driver's license; and

(C) a nonresident's operating privilege.

(Susp/Rev): Suspension or Revocation at the discretion of the licensing agency. This action is based on either (1) on habitually reckless or negligent vehicle operation or (2) on habitual violation of the traffic laws.(8) Tran. Code §§521.163, 521.294(a) & (b)(4)(9)



Look at Sec. 521.001(a)(6)(B) again, above! You have a license whether you get one or not.



            You could be or operate in commerce under “privilege” without a license—you could even be a non-resident [see 521.001(a) (6)(C)].

            You’re operating on “the privilege,” if you cannot show a driver license that you do not hold, no worries, the Texas Legislature has declared that you have the privileged license either way!!  Bazaar



Suspension-Not more than 1 year.  Tran. Code §521.306(b)



A "license" is defined as:

"... the permission by competent authority to do an act which, without such permission, would be illegal, a trespass, or a tort."

PEOPLE v. HENDERSON, 218 NW. 2d, 4.



"Leave to do a thing which licensor could prevent."

WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. v. PACENT REPRODUCER CORP., 42 F.2d 116, 188.



"...(its object) is to confer right or power WHICH DOES NOT EXIST without it and exercise of which, without license would be illegal." (emph. added)

INTER-CITY COACH LINES v. HARRISON, 157 SE 673, 676.



A license confers no right and is, "mere leave to be enjoyed as a matter of indulgence at the will of the party granting it."

CITY OF CARBONDALE v. WADE, 106, 111. App. 654.



"A permit, granted by an appropriate governmental body, generally for consideration, to a person, firm, or a corporation, to pursue SOME OCCUPATION or to CARRY ON SOME BUSINESS which is subject to regulation under the police power." (emph. added)

ROSENBLATT v. CALIFORNIA STATE BD. OF PHARMACY, 158 P. 2d 199, 203.



"A license fee is a charge made primarily for regulation, with the fee to cover costs and expenses of supervision or regulation." State v. Jackson, 60 Wisc.2d 700; 211 NW.2d 480, 487



NOTE: The word ‘Driver License’ as indicated on that card in your pocket, issued to you by the DPS, has no basis in Texas Law when you read the Texas Drivers License Act below.  There are only three types of licenses—operators, commercial operators & chauffeurs—stated in Texas Law.  Here you find that operator is the owner of the business, commercial operator is the driver for the operator, while chauffeur is someone who carries people for hire.  Driver License is used by color of law, but created no actual charge of itself.



Trans. Code, Sec.524.001 – Definitions (1999 code) (2000 moved it to 521.001)


" 'Driver's license' has the meaning assigned by Section 1, Chapter 173, Acts of the 47th Legislature, Regular Session, 1941 (Article 6687b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).  The term includes a license or license to operate a motor vehicle as defined by that section of that Act."



Now look at the 1941 (& only) Act, with some history from the court.  Then continue on to look at the revised Transportation Code that follows.



TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE ACT



1941 Texas Legislature  47th Regular Session; Chapter 173;

Vernon's Annotated Civil Statutes Art. 6887b; H.B. No. 20



Drivers License Law



An Act providing for licensing of operators, commercial operators, and chauffeurs; defining certain terms; providing for certain exemptions; prohibiting issuance of license to certain persons; making it unlawful for certain persons to operate a school bus or any motor vehicle while in use as a public or common carrier of persons; providing for application for operators', commercial operators', and chauffeurs' license; repealing Subsection (c) of Section 4 of Article 911A and Subsection (b) of Section 4 of Article 911B, Revised Civil Statutes; providing for signing of application of minors and cancellation of minor's license upon application and/or death of signatory; providing for examinations of applicants for operators', commercial operators', and chauffeurs' licenses, and providing the Director shall have the authority to re-examine licensee when said licensee is found incapable of operating a motor vehicle; providing for the issuance of operators', commercial operators', and chauffeurs' license, and duplicates thereof; providing for the issuance of restricted operators', commercial operators', and chauffeurs' license; providing a penalty for a violation of the restrictions imposed and for the revocation or suspension of restricted licenses; relating to the carrying of a license by the licensee and exhibiting same; prescribing the amount of fees and providing for the collection of same by the Department of Public Safety and the disposition of same; providing for the time of expiration of licenses and for renewal of same; providing for notice to the Department of changes of address or name of licensee; providing for certain records to be kept by the Department of Public Safety; relating to the authority of the Department of Public Safety to suspend, revoke, or cancel licenses; providing for time, place, and manner of holding hearings before the Department of Public Safety; providing for the period of suspension by the Department; proving for the automatic suspension of licenses upon conviction of certain offenses; providing for the surrender and return of license to the Department upon suspension; providing for court to forward license to Department and report convictions and defining "conviction" and providing that a suspended sentence shall not mitigate against automatic suspension of license on conviction of certain offenses; prohibiting the operation of motor vehicle under foreign license during suspension or revocation in the State; providing authority of the Department of Public Safety to suspend or revoke license and to suspend privileges of nonresidents and report convictions, and to suspend resident license upon conviction in another State; providing for the cancellation of licenses under certain conditions; providing for the right of appeal when license denied or cancelled, suspended or revoked by Department, except where such suspension or revocation is automatic; providing the filing of the petition of appeal shall abate said suspension until the trial herein provided for shall have been consummated and final judgment thereon shall have the right of trial by jury and his license shall not be suspended pending the appeal; prohibiting the driving of motor vehicle while license or privilege is cancelled, suspended or revoked; making it unlawful to commit certain other acts; providing authority of the Department of Public Safety to require accident reports and providing a penalty for failure to report; providing for forms of accident statistics and reports and making such reports confidential; providing for a penalty for violation of the Act, and providing for a maximum fine in certain instances; repealing all laws and parts of laws in conflict herewith, and particularly Senate Bill No. 15, Chapter 466, Page 1785, General Laws, Second Called Session, Forty-fourth Legislature, as amended by House Bill No. 16, Chapter 369, Page 752, Regular Session, Forty-fifth Legislature; providing a saving clause; and declaring an emergency.



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas:



Article I

Words and Phrases Defined

Section 1 Definition of words and phrases.

The following words and phrases when used in this Act shall, for the purpose of this Act, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this title.

(a)"Vehicle." Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracts.

(b)"Motor Vehicle." Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operation upon rails. {This was intended for electric motors, but is loosely interpreted by the powers to include engines.}

(j)   "Persons." Every natural person, firm, copartnership, association, or corporation. {‘Natural person’ looks like it could be a human, but look at the NOTE below!}

(l)"Driver."  Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

(m)"Operator."  Every person, other than a chauffeur or commercial operator, who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway.  {Do parts (l) & (m) imply “operator” = “driver”?  But pg.13 below notes “operator” is the business owner.}

(n)"Commercial Operator."  Every person who is the driver of a motor vehicle designed or used for the transportation of property, including all vehicles used for delivery purposes, while said vehicle is being used for commercial or delivery purposes.

(o)"Chauffeur."  Every person who is the driver for wages, compensation, or hire, or for fare, of a motor vehicle transporting passengers.



{NOTE: Notice that “natural person” is not defined above. In Black’s Law Dictionary you will find the term "ejusdem generis" - meaning - of the same kind, class or nature. When you look at the definition of “person” above and you look at the list of items and see that the list is “of the same kind, class or nature”, then simply adding the term “natural” preceding “person” does not change the “kind”, “class” or “nature” of the list. Example: “Fruit” means natural person, apple, banana, or grapes. Then in legalese, ‘natural person’ would be still be a fruit, whether or not what the definition would be in a standard dictionary. Always remember that a “term” may have a different definition than the same spelled “word”. You should not presume that a term found in legalese has the same common meaning of a word found in a standard word dictionary.}



"The term 'operator' is declared generally to include all persons, firms, associations, and corporations who operate motor vehicles upon any public highway in the state and thereby engage in the transportation of persons or property for hire or compensation."  Bacon Service Corporation v. Huss (1926) 199 Cal. 21, 26-27.


"Section 1 excludes from the definition of the term 'operator' everyone 'who solely transports by motor vehicle his or its own property, or employees, or both, and who transports no persons or property for hire or compensation.'"  Bacon Service Corporation v. Huss (1926) 199 Cal. 21, 28.











Article II

Issuance of License, Expiration, and Renewal

Sec. 2.  Drivers must have license

No person, except those hereinafter expressly exempted, shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State unless such person has a valid license as an operator, a commercial operator, or a chauffeur under the provisions of this Act. {This seems to distinguish “operator” from business “commercial operator.” See note above.}


Article VI

Sec. 46. Constitutionality

If any part or parts of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional,* such unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this Act and the Legislature hereby declares that it would have passed the remaining parts of this Act if it had known that such part or parts thereof would be declared unconstitutional.

 * {And we can only assume this means as decided by whoever is in power, e.g., the TX Supreme Court—and you might have to go there to rebut it.}



******************************



MORE-RECENT HISTORY

Some folks had to go to court due to lack of drivers licenses or renewing them.  A few folks got the attention they deserved, in that very gray area in which the courts love to raise revenue--

Here is how the Appellate Criminal Courts of Texas have answered this request:



“The court has held that there is no such license known to Texas Law as a "driver's license.”

(Frank John Callas v. State, 167 Tex. Crim. 375; 320  S.W. 2d 360. 1959)



And…

“We have held that there is no such license as a driver's license known to our law.”

(Claude D. Campbell v. State, 160 Tex. Crim. 627; 274 S.W. 2d 401. 1955)



And…

“An information charging the driving of a motor vehicle upon a public highway without a driver's license charges no offense, as there is no such license as a driver's license known to the law.”

(Keith Brooks v. State, 158 Tex. Crim. 546; 258 S.W. 2d 317. 1953)



 And…

“There being no such license as a "driver's" license known to the law, it follows that the information, in charging the driving of a motor vehicle upon a highway without such a license, charges no offense.”

(W. Lee Hassell v. The State, 149 Tex. Crim. 333; 194 S.W. 2d 400. 1946)



So those people fought the county courts and went to Appeals and won.

For some reason at those times, the Appeals Court felt the urge to tell the truth and follow the law.  All courts should go by their example, we can only wish!

            So let’s tie all this together.

In the mid-1990s, some things were changed, and in very recent times, suddenly the Legislature got around to appearing to fix things.

Danny Murphy points out:

“These cases are real and their statements were true at the time that they were made.  However, in 1995 the Legislature provided a definition of driver's license at § 521.001(3), so that driver's license is now known to Texas lawThe problem now is that the licenses being issued are not those named in the Driver License Law of 1941, and I know of no act specifically authorizing the currently issued "licenses".  Some might say that because the Transportation Code makes reference to these other licenses then, if nothing else, these licenses were implicitly authorized, not a way I care to go.

“Interestingly, the Legislature also made provision for a more general license at § 521.001(6) that includes (A) a driver's license; (B) the privilege of a person to operate a motor vehicle regardless of whether the person holds a driver's license; and (C) a nonresident's operating privilege.  Part (B) may be recognition of the right to travel under a theory of rights reserved under the Texas Bill of Rights and powers not delegated to the State.

 “Also, there may be an exemption to the license requirement under § 521.027(2) for the operation of a road machine on a highway.  Road machine has not been defined anywhere in Texas statutes, and a search of the term on the Internet turns up all kinds of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other conveyances.  When a word has not been defined in a act, then one must turn to other sources for its definition.  However, previous attempts at this in court have not been successful.

 “One problem with all of this, though, is having a Texas certificate of title.  The Texas Certificate of Title Act states at § 501.004(a) that it “applies to a motor vehicle owned by the state or a political subdivision of the state.”  The existence of a certificate of title is at least prima facie evidence that the car is owned by government.  Government has the right to keep track of and regulate the use of its property.  Plates on a car show that it is or has been registered.  Registration requires that there be a certificate of title.  Once it is registered, all the other requirements come into play such as inspection, insurance, etc.”



So here’s what the License became within the Transportation Code (by 8/2/08)



TRANSPORTATION CODE

SUBTITLE B. DRIVER'S LICENSES AND PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS

CHAPTER 521. DRIVER'S LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

            § 521.001.  DEFINITIONS.  (a)  In this chapter:                            

                        (1)  "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.                   

                        (2)  "Director" means the public safety director.                            

                        (3)  "Driver's license" means an authorization issued by the department for the operation of a motor vehicle.  The term includes:

                                    (A)  a temporary license or instruction permit;  and                      

                                    (B)  an occupational license.                                               

                        (4)  "Gross combination weight rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 522.003.

                        (5)  "Gross vehicle weight rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 522.003.

                        (6)  "License" means an authorization to operate a motor vehicle that is issued under or granted by the laws of this state.  The term includes:

                                    (A)  a driver's license;                                                    

                                    (B)  the privilege of a person to operate a motor vehicle regardless of whether the person holds a driver's license;  and

                                    (C)  a nonresident's operating privilege.                                    

                        (7)  "Nonresident" means a person who is not a resident of this state.     

                        (8)  "State" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

                        (9)  "Image comparison technology" means any technology that is used to compare facial images, thumbprints, or fingerprints.

            (b)  A word or phrase that is not defined by this chapter but is defined by Subtitle C  has the meaning in this chapter that is assigned by that subtitle.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by:  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1108, § 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

...



§ 521.004.  PENAL CODE REFERENCES.  In this chapter:                       

(1)  a reference to an offense under Section 49.04, Penal Code, includes an offense under Article 6701l-1, Revised Statutes, as that law existed immediately before September 1, 1994;

(2)  a reference to an offense under Section 49.07, Penal Code:            

                                    (A)  means only an offense under that section involving the operation of a motor vehicle;  and

                                    (B)  includes an offense under Section 6701l-1, Revised Statutes, as that law existed immediately before September 1, 1994;  and

(3)  a reference to an offense under Section 49.08, Penal Code:            

                                    (A)  means only an offense under that section involving the operation of a motor vehicle;  and

                                    (B)  includes an offense under Section 19.05(a)(2), Penal Code, as that law existed immediately before September 1, 1994.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.                   





            § 521.005.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.  The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this chapter.



Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.72, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. 

...



SUBCHAPTER B. GENERAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

            § 521.021.  LICENSE REQUIRED.  A person, other than a person expressly exempted under this chapter, may not operate a motor vehicle on a highway in this state unless the person holds a driver's license issued under this chapter.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

...

§ 521.025.  LICENSE TO BE CARRIED AND EXHIBITED ON DEMAND;  CRIMINAL PENALTY.

(a)  A person required to hold a license under Section 521.021 shall:

                        (1)  have in the person's possession while operating a motor vehicle the class of driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle operated;  and

                        (2)  display the license on the demand of a magistrate, court officer, or peace officer.

(b)  A peace officer may stop and detain a person operating a motor vehicle to determine if the person has a driver's license as required by this section.

(c)  A person who violates this section commits an offense.  An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, except that:

                        (1)  for a second conviction within one year after the date of the first conviction, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200;  and

                        (2)  for a third or subsequent conviction within one year after the date of the second conviction the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by:

                                    (A)  a fine of not less than $25 or more than $500;                         

                                    (B)  confinement in the county jail for not less than 72 hours or more than six months;  or

                                    (C)  both the fine and confinement.                                         

(d)  It is a defense to prosecution under this section if the person charged produces in court a driver's license:

                        (1)  issued to that person;                                                  

                        (2)  appropriate for the type of vehicle operated;  and                      

                        (3)  valid at the time of the arrest for the offense.                        

(e)  The judge of each court shall report promptly to the department each conviction obtained in the court under this section.

(f)  The court may assess a defendant an administrative fee not to exceed $10 if a charge under this section is dismissed because of the defense listed under Subsection (d).



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by:  Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1027, § 4, eff. September 1, 2007.



§ 521.026.  DISMISSAL OF EXPIRED LICENSE CHARGE.  (a)  A judge may dismiss a charge of driving with an expired license if the defendant remedies this defect within 20 working days or before the defendant's first court appearance date, whichever is later.

(b)  The judge may assess the defendant an administrative fee not to exceed $20 when the charge of driving with an expired driver's license is dismissed under Subsection (a).



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1027, § 5, eff. September 1, 2007.



            § 521.027.  PERSONS EXEMPT FROM LICENSE REQUIREMENT.  The following persons are exempt from the license requirement imposed under this chapter:

(1)   a person in the service of the state military forces or the United States while the person is operating an official motor vehicle in the scope of that service;

                        (2)  a person while the person is operating a road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry on a highway, unless the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle under Section 522.003;

                        (3)  a nonresident on active duty in the armed forces of the United States who holds a license issued by the person's state or Canadian province of residence;  and

                        (4)  a person who is the spouse or dependent child of a nonresident exempt under Subdivision (3) and who holds a license issued by the person's state or Canadian province of residence.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

...



[And good grief, what’s THIS brand new?]

{FYI:  Illegals welcome??---

§ 521.032.  ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE OR PERSONAL

IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE.

(a)  The department may issue an enhanced driver's license or personal identification certificate for the purposes of crossing the border between this state and Mexico to an applicant who provides the department with proof of United States citizenship, identity, and state residency.

...

(b)  The department shall implement a one-to-many biometric matching system for the enhanced driver's license or personal identification certificate.  An applicant for an enhanced driver's license or personal identification certificate must submit a biometric identifier ...

...

(f)  The department may enter into a memorandum of understanding with any federal agency for the purposes of facilitating the crossing of the border between this state and Mexico.  The department may enter into an agreement with Mexico, to the extent permitted by federal law, to implement a border crossing initiative authorized by this section.

...

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 258, § 21.01, eff. September 1, 2007. }


*****************



OPERATOR



OPERATOR

Today we assume that a "traveler" is a "driver," and a "driver" is an "operator." However, this is not the case.

"It will be observed from the language of the ordinance that a distinction is to be drawn between the terms `operator' and `driver'; the `operator' of the service car being the person who is licensed to have the car on the streets in the business of carrying passengers for hire; while the `driver' is the one who actually drives the car. However, in the actual prosecution of business, it was possible for the same person to be both `operator' and `driver.'"          Newbill v. Union Indemnity Co., 60 SE.2d 658



Trans. Code, Sec. 542.002.  Government Vehicles

            A provision of this subtitle applicable to an operator of a vehicle applies to the operator of a vehicle owned or operated by the United States, this state, or a political subdivision of this state, except as specifically provided otherwise by this subtitle for an authorized emergency vehicle.



Sec. 601.006.  Applicability to Certain Owners and Operators.

            If an owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in an accident in this state does not have a driver's license or vehicle registration or is a nonresident, the person may not be issued a driver's license or registration until the person has complied with this chapter to the same extent that would be necessary if, at the time of the accident, the person had a driver's license or registration.



"The term 'operator' is declared generally to include all persons, firms, associations, and corporations who operate motor vehicles upon any public highway in the state and thereby engage in the transportation of persons or property for hire or compensation."  Bacon Service Corporation v. Huss (1926) 199 Cal. 21, 26-27.


"Section 1 excludes from the definition of the term 'operator' everyone 'who solely transports by motor vehicle his or its own property, or employees, or both, and who transports no persons or property for hire or compensation.'"  Bacon Service Corporation v. Huss (1926) 199 Cal. 21, 28.



*****************



SPEEDING



Trans. Code, Sec. 201.904                Speed Signs

The department shall erect and maintain on the highways and roads of this state appropriate signs that show the maximum lawful speed for commercial motor vehicles, truck tractors, truck trailers, truck semitrailers, and motor vehicles engaged in the business of transporting passengers for compensation or hire (buses).



Basic Speed Rule: No person* shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing or under the conditions and having regard to actual and potential hazards.

§ 545.352. PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS.  (a) A speed in excess of the limits established by Subsection (b) or under another provision of this subchapter is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable and prudent and that the speed is unlawful.
Text of subsect. (b) as amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 663, § 2 and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 739, § 1]}

{Prima facie, Latin:  on its face, at first view—used as a legal acceptance not requiring additional validity}

{Ken pointed out:  NOTE all the speed signs are for commercial traffic.  SO where did the Legislature notify the traveling citizen of some speed to follow?  If there’s no notification, no requirement, there’s no way to BE in excess of it!  There can be no violation when you were never the one liable!!  (See also next paragraph.)}



Posted (Maximum) Speed Limit: Based on engineering and traffic investigations, the Texas Transportation Commission may alter the prima facie speed limits on State highways and limited-access or controlled highways inside or outside of any municipality. Tran. Code §545.353(a) & (f)



{from Subchapter H, Speed Restrictions, which is 545.361 through 545.365}.        * {specifically, “an operator,” as amended 1997; see above}



Minimum Speed Limit:  No person shall drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. Tran. Code §545.363(a)



Civil/Criminal Adjudication of Violation: All Speed Law Violations are Misdemeanors. Tran. Code §§542.301 & 750.002(b)



A "serious traffic violation" includes exceeding the speed limit by 15 or more MPH or reckless driving. Tran. Code §522.003(25)



Tran. Code SUBCHAPTER H.  SPEED RESTRICTIONS


Sec. 545.351.  Maximum Speed Requirement.

(a) An operator may not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing.

(b) An operator:

                 (1) may not drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to actual and potential hazards then existing; and

                 (2) shall control the speed of the vehicle as necessary to avoid colliding with another person or vehicle that is on or entering the highway in compliance with law and the duty of each person to use due care. {So, DID you have a wreck?  Otherwise, you don’t meet the criteria!}

(c) An operator shall, consistent with Subsections (a) and (b), drive at an appropriate reduced speed if:

                 (1) the operator is approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing;

                 (2) the operator is approaching and going around a curve;

                 (3) the operator is approaching a hill crest;

                 (4) the operator is traveling on a narrow or winding roadway; and

                 (5) a special hazard exists with regard to traffic, including pedestrians, or weather or highway conditions.

{If you didn’t have a wreck, does ONLY (a) above apply?  Do YOU think you were reasonable and prudent?}

*****************



STOPPING



Failure to Stop—all listings (note—there is NO “rolling stop” NOR even “incomplete stop” anywhere in the Texas Statutes (Codes), including Vernon's).  How many revenue-raising tickets did you get for that common knowledge?  So we show it here to expose the deceit.

            There are three listings for “Failure To Stop” but look carefully at what you’re supposed to stop—they have nothing to do with stopping at a sign or light!

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~ FYI—first cite has nothing to do with traveling OR driving---



PENAL CODE

CHAPTER 38. OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATION



§ 38.17. FAILURE TO STOP OR REPORT AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILD.

(a) A person, other than a person who has a relationship with a child described by Section 22.04(b), commits an offense if: ....

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~ FYI—second cite second qualifies being taken to a magistrate if a certain thing happens---



TRANSPORTATION CODE

CHAPTER 543. ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF VIOLATORS

SUBCHAPTER A.  ARREST AND CHARGING PROCEDURES;

NOTICES AND PROMISESTO APPEAR



        § 543.001.  ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT AUTHORIZED.  Any peace officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a violation of this subtitle.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.                   



        § 543.002.  PERSON ARRESTED TO BE TAKEN BEFORE MAGISTRATE. 

               (a)  A person arrested for a violation of this subtitle punishable as a misdemeanor shall be immediately taken before a magistrate if:

                (1)  the person is arrested on a charge of failure to stop in the event of an accident causing damage to property;  or

                (2)  the person demands an immediate appearance before a magistrate or refuses to make a written promise to appear in court as provided by this subchapter.

               (b)  The person must be taken before a magistrate who:                        

                (1)  has jurisdiction of the offense;                                        

                (2)  is in the county in which the offense charged is alleged to have been committed;  and

                (3)  is nearest or most accessible to the place of arrest.                 



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~ FYI—third cite has to do with helping folks, by regulating behavior---



TRANSPORTATION CODE

CHAPTER 523. DRIVER'S LICENSE COMPACT OF 1993

§ 523.005. EFFECT OF CONVICTION.

               (a)  The licensing authority in the home state, for the purpose of suspension, revocation, cancellation, denial, disqualification, or limitation of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle, shall give the same effect to the conduct reported pursuant to Section 523.004 as it would if such conduct had occurred in the home state in the case of conviction for:

                (1)  manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;

                (2)  driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or a narcotic to a degree which renders the driver incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle;

                (3)  any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;  or    

                (4)  failure to stop and render aid or information in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another.

               (b)  As to other convictions reported pursuant to this compact, the licensing authority in the home state shall give such effect to the conduct as is provided by the laws of the home state.

               (c)  If the laws of a state do not provide for offenses or violations denominated or described in precisely the words employed in Subsection (a), those offenses or violations of a substantially similar nature and the laws of that state shall be understood to contain such provisions as may be necessary to ensure that full force and effect is given to this compact.



Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.



*****************





SAFETY INSPECTION - VEHICLE



Transportation Code


CHAPTER 548.  COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF VEHICLES


            SUBCHAPTER A.               GENERAL PROVISIONS


Sec. 548.001.  Definitions.

In this chapter:

(1) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a self-propelled or towed vehicle, other than a farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds, if:

(A) the vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds;

(B) the vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or

(C) the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding by a regulation issued under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq.).

(2) "Commission" means the Public Safety Commission.

(3) "Conservation commission" means the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

(4) "Farm vehicle" has the meaning assigned by the federal motor carrier safety regulations. (5) "Federal motor carrier safety regulation" has the meaning assigned by Section 549.001.

(6) "Inspection station" means a facility certified to conduct inspections of vehicles under this chapter.



     SUBCHAPTER B.  VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION AND REINSPECTION

Trans. Code, Sec. 548.051.  Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Inspection.

(a) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home, registered in this state, must have the following items  inspected at an inspection station or by an inspector:

(1) tires;

(2) wheel assembly;

(3) safety guards or flaps, if required by Section 547.606; (4) brake system, including power brake unit;

(5) steering system, including power steering;

(6) lighting equipment;

(7) horns and warning devices;

(8) mirrors;

(9) windshield wipers;

(10) sunscreening devices, unless the vehicle is exempt from sunscreen device restrictions under Section 547.613;

(11) front seat belts in vehicles on which seat belt anchorages were part of the manufacturer's original equipment;

(12) tax decal, if required by Section 548.104(d)(1);

(13) exhaust system; and

(14) exhaust emission system.

(b) A moped is subject to inspection in the same manner as a motorcycle, except that the only items of equipment required to be inspected are the brakes, headlamps, rear lamps, and reflectors, which must comply with the standards prescribed by Sections 547.408 and 547.801.



Sec. 548.052.  Vehicles Not Subject to Inspection.

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home moving under or bearing a current factory-delivery license plate or current in-transit license plate;

(2) a vehicle moving under or bearing a paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license, parade license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, antique license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license;

(3) a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home having an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less; or

(4) farm machinery, road-building equipment, a farm trailer, or a vehicle required to display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem under Section 547.703.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amendment by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 443, Sec. 3



V.T.C.A., Government Code Sec. 311.031(c) provides, in part, that the repeal of a statute by a code does not affect an amendment of the statute by the same legislature which enacted the code and that the amendment is preserved and given effect as part of the code provision.

Section 3 of Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 443, eff. Sept. 1, 1995, amends Sec. 140(h) of Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. art. 6701d [now this section] without reference to the repeal of said article by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 24(a).  As so amended, Sec. 140(h) reads:

"The provisions of this article shall not apply to the vehicles referred to in Subsection (a) of this Section when moving under or bearing current 'Factory-Delivery License Plates' or current 'In-transit License Plates.'  Nor shall the provisions of this article apply to farm machinery, road-building equipment, farm trailers, paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license, parade license, prorate tabs, one-trip permits, antique license, temporary 24-hour permits, permit license, and all other vehicles required to have a slow-moving-vehicle emblem under Section 139B of this Act, or to former military vehicles, as defined by Section 5a(h), Chapter 88, General Laws, Acts of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929 (Article 6675a-5a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)."



SUBCHAPTER C.  PERIODS OF INSPECTION; PREREQUISITES TO ISSUANCE OF INSPECTION CERTIFICATE

Sec. 548.101.  General One-Year Inspection Period.

Except as provided by Section 548.102, the department shall require an annual inspection.  The department shall set the periods of inspection and may make rules with respect to those periods.



Sec. 548.254.  Validity of Inspection Certificate.

An inspection certificate is invalid after the end of the 12th month following the month in which the certificate is issued.  An unused inspection certificate representing a previous inspection period may not be issued after the beginning of the next period.



*****************





REGISTRATION - VEHICLE



CHAPTER 502.  REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS



Sec. 502.001.  Definitions.

In this chapter:

(2) "Commercial motor vehicle " means a motor vehicle , other than a motorcycle, designed or used primarily to transport property.  The term includes a passenger car reconstructed and used primarily for delivery purposesThe term does not include a passenger car used to deliver the United States mail.

(13) "Motor vehicle " means a vehicle  that is self-propelled.

(17) "Passenger car" means a motor vehicle , other than a motorcycle, golf cart, light truck, or

bus, designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons.

(19) "Public property" means property owned or leased by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(24) "Vehicle " means a device in or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a public highway, other than a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.





Sec. 502.002.  Registration Required; General Rule.

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle , trailer, or semitrailer shall apply for the registration of the vehicle  for:

            (1) each registration year in which the vehicle  is used or to be used on a public highway; and

(2) if the vehicle  is unregistered for a registration year that has begun and that applies to the vehicle  and if the vehicle  is used or to be used on a public highway, the remaining portion of that registration year.

(b) The application must be made to the department through the county assessor-collector of the county in which the owner resides.

(c) A provision of this chapter that conflicts with this section prevails over this section to the extent of the conflict.



Sec. 502.003.  Registration by Political Subdivision Prohibited.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a political subdivision of this state may not require an owner of a motor vehicle  to:

            (1) register the vehicle ;

            (2) pay a motor vehicle  registration fee; or

            (3) pay an occupation tax or license fee in connection with a motor vehicle .

(b) This section does not affect the authority of a municipality to:

(1) license and regulate the use of motor vehicles for compensation within the municipal limits; and

(2) impose a permit fee or street rental charge for the operation of each motor vehicle  used to transport passengers for compensation, other than a motor vehicle  operating under a permit or certificate from the Railroad Commission of Texas or the Interstate Commerce Commission.

{It seems like the above Section might be to ensure only the State, not subdivisions, registers cars.}



Sec. 502.152 Certificate of Title Required for Registration. Subsection (a) says, "The department may not register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title is required under Chapter 501 unless the owner: (1) obtains a certificate of title for the vehicle..." Since Chapter 501 applies only to vehicles owned by state or political subdivisions of the state, only those are required to obtain a certificate of title. All others without certificate of title may not be registered.



NOTE: This section above is the most important to remember in the code.  If the vehicle is not state-owned, then the vehicle can’t have a certificate of title, which restricts registration, which restricts mandatory insurance.  Your car then must be state-owned or you wouldn’t have a certificate of title, or have it registered or buy insurance for a car you don’t own, RIGHT?



“Sale of vehicle that does not comply with requirements of Certificate of Title Act may still be considered valid transaction as between original parties, even though Act declares that non-compliance renders sale void.”

Jarrin v. Sam White Oldsmobile Co. (App. 1 Dist. 1996) 929 S.W.2d 21, rehearing denied, error denied.



NOTE: Found about case in the Vernon’s Annotated Statutes – Transportation Code § 501.073 Notes of Decisions.





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SEAT BELTS

Besides the following, recently a national harassment & revenue-raising program has been instituted, advertised in Texas as:  Click It Or Ticket.  This provide federal subsidies to States giving more tickets, and they get to use the money as they see fit, for example purchasing night-vision goggles to give more tickets after dark.  The payoff is a conflict of interests, motivating local agencies to give more tickets, effectively an open quota.  This also sneaks more federal control over the States & locals, as they clamor for increasing subsidies. 

            While the ticket revenue raising was advertised as if something new was going on, the law was not changed or appended.  Deals with the feds are not mentioned in the Texas Transportation Code.  So here we must parse the words carefully and hope the courts will abide by the actual written law.  The Family Code emphasizes safety for little kids, not the adults riding in the front.  Any offenses are based on the failure to protect those little kids.



Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure) – United States Code

§ 31. Definitions

"Motor vehicle" means every description of carriage or other contrivance propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used for commercial purposes on the highways in the transportation of passengers, passengers and property, or property or cargo; …



NOTE: The following code is commercial by the statement in §545.413(a)(2). The word ‘operated’ has been previously discussed, by which an operator and driver term was defined as in commerce.

See the definition of the terms “passenger car” and “motor vehicle” at Sect. 502.0001 (above).  But it says those definitions are FOR THAT CHAPTER.  Does Sect. 545 below encompass Sect. 502 definitions?  One or both would have to SAY that.  Here, “passenger car” is just a load-bearing weight rating (see part h, below).  Here the passenger car would fit the definition of transportation, but not of delivery purposes.  ARE you the operator?  ARE you on a highway?  IS that your passenger car?



Trans. Code Sec. 545.413.  Safety Belts; Offense.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person:

                 (1) is at least 15 years of age;

                 (2) is riding in the front seat of a passenger car while the vehicle is being operated;

                 (3) is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt; and

                 (4) is not secured by a safety belt.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person:

                 (1) operates a passenger car that is equipped with safety belts; and

                 (2) allows a child who is at least four years of age but younger than 15 years of age to ride in the front seat of the vehicle without requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt.

(c) A passenger car or a seat in a passenger car is considered to be equipped with a safety belt if the vehicle is required under Section 547.601 to be equipped with safety belts.

(d) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $50.

(e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:

                 (1) the person possesses a written statement from a licensed physician stating that for a medical reason the person should not wear a safety belt;

                 (2) the person presents to the court, not later than the 10th day after the date of the offense, a statement from a licensed physician stating that for a medical reason the person should not wear a safety belt; or

                 (3) the person is employed by the United States Postal Service and performing a duty for that agency that requires the operator to service postal boxes from a vehicle or that requires frequent entry into and exit from a vehicle.

(f) The department shall develop and implement an educational program to encourage the wearing of safety belts and to emphasize:

                 (1) the effectiveness of safety belts and other restraint devices in reducing the risk of harm to passengers in motor vehicles; and

                 (2) the requirements of this section and the penalty for noncompliance.

(g) Use or nonuse of a safety belt is not admissible evidence in a civil trial.

(h) In this section, "passenger car" includes a truck with a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of not more than 1,500 pounds.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amendment by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 127

Section 127 of Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, eff. Sept. 1, 1995, amends Sec. 107C(j) of Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. art. 6701d [now this section] without reference to the repeal of said article by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 24(a).  As so amended, Sec. 107C(j) reads:

"Use or nonuse of a safety belt is not admissible evidence in a civil trial, other than a proceeding under Subtitle A or B, Title 5, Family Code."



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FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



Trans. Code, Sec. 521.143.  Evidence of Financial Responsibility Required

(a) An application for an original or renewal of a driver's license must be accompanied by evidence of financial responsibility or a statement that the applicant does not own a motor vehicle for which evidence of financial responsibility is required under Chapter 601.

(b) Evidence of financial responsibility presented under this section must be in at least the minimum amounts required by Section 601.072 and must cover each motor vehicle owned by the applicant for which the applicant is required to maintain evidence of financial responsibility.  The evidence may be shown in the manner provided by Section 601.053(a).

(c) A personal automobile insurance policy used as evidence of financial responsibility under this section must comply with Article 5.06, Insurance Code.

(d) A statement that an applicant does not own a motor vehicle to which the evidence of financial responsibility requirement applies must be sworn to and signed by the applicant.



NOTE: Remember Sec. 502.152, found under ‘Registration’, which indicates who owns the car, and which indicates that only a state-owned vehicle can have a certificate of title.  Since this car has a certificate of title, I guess the state owns the car, so the state needs to pay for the financial responsibility. (In that case, what is my certificate of Title or ownership worth?)



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“Texas Sure” Vehicle Insurance Verification



[http://www.texassure.com/Insuranceverification.html]

Welcome to Texas, Cowboy!!  Get out yer wallet!!

            The Texas Legislature is trying hard to tie everything together so you have to pay in several ways, all of which hold you “responsible” and possibly liable for everything else.  That is, if you’re a legal citizen and they know where you live.  Legislators et al. will insist this helps protect us from illegals.

            So you have to have insurance in order to get an inspection, a registration, etc.  FEAR your government, peasant.

Quotes from the ‘Texas Sure’ site, above:

“What Is Insurance Verification?

“The vehicle insurance verification program (called TexasSure) came about when the Texas Legislature directed the Texas Departments of Insurance, Public Safety, Transportation, and Information Resources to develop a system to reduce the number of uninsured motorists. Working together, the agencies have compiled a database that connects every registered vehicle in the state by its license plate, vehicle identification number (VIN), and liability insurance policy. That means that law enforcement officers and tax assessor-collectors can immediately access the database and verify if you are driving without insurance.”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

“Driving without insurance? The TexasSure program will put an end to the days of uninsured motorists, drivers dropping coverage after receiving a valid insurance card, and fraudulent insurance cards. So, get insured!”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

“If I Decide to Drive Without Insurance?

“Driving without insurance is not a good idea, and there are severe penalties for doing so. First time offenders are subject to a fine of up to $350, plus court costs, and may be assessed additional fees as authorized by Transportation Code Chapter 708http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $1,000 and a two (2) year driver license suspension.

“Bottom line? The law requires “the motorist or operator of a vehicle to provide evidence of financial responsibility.” In other words, when it comes to vehicle insurance, there are no more free rides.”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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CERTIFICATE OF TITLE



NOTE: Sections 501.004 & 502.152 shows that a certificate of title is only for a vehicle owned by the state.



CHAPTER 501.  CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ACT

Sec. 501.002.  Definitions.

In this chapter:

(1) "Certificate of title" means an instrument issued under Section 501.021.

(14) "Motor vehicle " means:

                      (A) any motor driven or propelled vehicle  required to be registered under the laws of this state;

(Notice: No definition of Vehicle)

*****  Sec. 501.004.  Applicability.

                      (a) This chapter applies to a motor vehicle  owned by the state or a political subdivision of the state.



Sec. 501.022.  Certificate of Title Required.

(a) The owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state may not operate or permit the operation of the vehicle on a public highway until the owner obtains a certificate of title for the vehicle.

(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle registered in this state on a public highway if the person knows or has reason to believe that the owner has not obtained a certificate of title for the vehicle.

(c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this state must apply for a certificate of title of the vehicle before selling or disposing of the vehicle.

(d) Subsection (c) does not apply to a motor vehicle operated on a public highway in this state with a metal dealer's license plate or a dealer's or buyer's temporary cardboard tag attached to the vehicle as provided by Chapter 503.



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FAILURE TO IDENTIFY



Texas Penal Code

Sec. 38.02.  Failure to Identify.

(a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally refuses to give his name, residence

address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information.

(b) A person commits an offense if he intentionally gives a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has:

                      (1) lawfully arrested the person;

                      (2) lawfully detained the person; or

                      (3) requested the information from a person that the peace officer has good cause to believe is a witness to a criminal offense.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

(d) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that the defendant was a fugitive from justice at the time of the offense, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.



Kolender v. Lawson, 461 US 352 (1983)

It is unconstitutionally vague for a state to require a person to produce "credible and reliable" identification when requested to do so by a police officer.  This Court has invalidated, on vagueness grounds, any state law requiring persons on the street to present "credible and reliable" identification when asked by a police officer, which in its self, gives too much discretion to the police officer for arbitrary and selective enforcement.



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ARRESTED



Arrest For Not Signing Ticket

Texas Transportation Code

CHAPTER 543.  ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF VIOLATORS


SUBCHAPTER A.  ARREST AND CHARGING PROCEDURES; NOTICES  AND PROMISES TO APPEAR

Sec. 543.001.  Arrest Without Warrant Authorized.

Any peace officer may arrest without warrant a person found committing a violation of this subtitle.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 543.002.  Person Arrested to be Taken Before Magistrate.

(a) A person arrested for a violation of this subtitle punishable as a misdemeanor shall be immediately taken before a magistrate if:

                 (1) the person is arrested on a charge of failure to stop in the event of an accident causing damage to property; or

                 (2) the person demands an immediate appearance before a  magistrate or refuses to make a written promise to appear in court as provided by this subchapter.

(b) The person must be taken before a magistrate who:

                 (1) has jurisdiction of the offense;

     (2) is in the county in which the offense charged is alleged to have been committed; and

     (3) is nearest or most accessible to the place of arrest.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 543.003.  Notice to Appear Required:  Person Not Taken Before Magistrate.

An officer who arrests a person for a violation of this subtitle punishable as a misdemeanor and who does not take the person before a magistrate shall issue in duplicate a written notice to appear in court showing the time and place the person is to appear, the offense charged, the name and address of the person charged, and, if  applicable, the license number of the person's vehicle.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 543.004.  Notice to Appear Required:  Certain Offenses.

(a) An officer shall issue a written notice to appear if:

(1) the offense charged is speeding or a violation of the open container law, Section 49.03, Penal Code; and

(2) the person makes a written promise to appear in court as provided by Section 543.005.

(b) If the person is a resident of or is operating a vehicle licensed in a state or country other than this state, Subsection (a) applies only as provided by Chapter 703.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,1995.

Sec. 543.005.  Promise to Appear; Release.

To secure release, the person arrested must make a written promise to appear in court by signing in duplicate the written notice prepared by the arresting officer.  The arresting officer shall retain the original of the notice and deliver the copy of the notice to the person arrested.  The officer shall then promptly release the person from custody.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,1995.

Sec. 543.006.  Time and Place of Appearance.

(a) The time specified in the notice to appear must be at least 10 days after the date of arrest unless the person arrested demands an earlier hearing.

(b) The place specified in the notice to appear must be before a magistrate having jurisdiction of the offense who is in the municipality or county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 543.007.  Notice to Appear:  Commercial Vehicle or License.

A notice to appear issued to the operator of a commercial motor vehicle or holder of a commercial driver's license or commercial driver learner's permit, for the violation of a law regulating the operation of vehicles on highways, must be on a form that contains the information required by department rule, to comply with Chapter 522 and the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 543.008.  Violation by Officer.

A violation by an officer of a provision of Sections 543.003-543.007 is misconduct in office and the officer is subject to removal from the officer's position.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,1995.

Sec. 543.009.  Compliance With or Violation of Promise to Appear.

(a) A person may comply with a written promise to appear in court by an appearance by counsel.

(b) A person who wilfully violates a written promise to appear in court, given as provided by this subchapter, commits a misdemeanor regardless of the disposition of the charge on which the person was arrested.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,1995.

Sec. 543.010.  Specifications of Speeding Charge.

The complaint and the summons or notice to appear on a charge of speeding under this subtitle must specify:

(1) the maximum or minimum speed limit applicable in the district or at the location; and

(2) the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,1995.



{NOTE: Above, under 543.008 shows that there has to be a procedure in place to remove the cop from his position if he violates any of the Sections 543.003-543.007. They never do. The cop does not know about this provisions and he has been told to put you in jail, if you do not provide a drive license, have no current registration, safety certificate, or proof of insurance. But, look at Sec. 543.007 above and see that the officer is required to issue a promise to appear and let the driver to be on his way if he violates any law that regulates the operation of vehicles on the highways. When the cop puts you in jail for an offense for violating a law used to regulate the operation of vehicles on the highway, he has violated Sec. 543.008. }





Very Important – you should familiar yourself with the below Article.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure

Art. 15.17. DUTIES OF ARRESTING OFFICER AND MAGISTRATE.  (a)  In each case enumerated in this Code, the person making the arrest or the person having custody of the person arrested shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the person is arrested, take the person arrested or have him taken before some magistrate of the county where the accused was arrested or, to provide more expeditiously to the person arrested the warnings described by this article, before a magistrate in any other county of this state.  The arrested person may be taken before the magistrate in person or the image of the arrested person may be presented to the magistrate by means of an electronic broadcast system.  The magistrate shall inform in clear language the person arrested, either in person or through the electronic broadcast system, of the accusation against him and of any affidavit filed therewith, of his right to retain counsel, of his right to remain silent, of his right to have an attorney present during any interview with peace officers or attorneys representing the state, of his right to terminate the interview at any time, and of his right to have an examining trial.  The magistrate shall also inform the person arrested of the person's right to request the appointment of counsel if the person cannot afford counsel.  The magistrate shall inform the person arrested of the procedures for requesting appointment of counsel. If the person does not speak and understand the English language or is deaf, the magistrate shall inform the person in a manner consistent with Articles 38.30 and 38.31, as appropriate.  The magistrate shall ensure that reasonable assistance in completing the necessary forms for requesting appointment of counsel is provided to the person at the same time.  If the person arrested is indigent and requests appointment of counsel and if the magistrate is authorized under Article 26.04 to appoint counsel for indigent defendants in the county, the magistrate shall appoint counsel in accordance with Article 1.051.  If the magistrate is not authorized to appoint counsel, the magistrate shall without unnecessary delay, but not later than 24 hours after the person arrested requests appointment of counsel, transmit, or cause to be transmitted to the court or to the courts' designee authorized under Article 26.04 to appoint counsel in the county, the forms requesting the appointment of counsel.  The magistrate shall also inform the person arrested that he is not required to make a statement and that any statement made by him may be used against him.  The magistrate shall allow the person arrested reasonable time and opportunity to consult counsel and shall, after determining whether the person is currently on bail for a separate criminal offense, admit the person arrested to bail if allowed by law.   A recording of the communication between the arrested person and the magistrate shall be made.  The recording shall be preserved until the earlier of the following dates:  (1) the date on which the pretrial hearing ends; or (2) the 91st day after the date on which the recording is made if the person is charged with a misdemeanor or the 120th day after the date on which the recording is made if the person is charged with a felony.  The counsel for the defendant may obtain a copy of the recording on payment of a reasonable amount to cover costs of reproduction.  For purposes of this subsection, "electronic broadcast system" means a two-way electronic communication of image and sound between the arrested person and the magistrate and includes secure Internet videoconferencing.

(b)  After an accused charged with a misdemeanor punishable by fine only is taken before a magistrate under Subsection (a) and the magistrate has identified the accused with certainty, the magistrate may release the accused without bond and order the accused to appear at a later date for arraignment in the applicable justice court or municipal court.  The order must state in writing the time, date, and place of the arraignment, and the magistrate must sign the order.  The accused shall receive a copy of the order on release.  If an accused fails to appear as required by the order, the judge of the court in which the accused is required to appear shall issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused.  If the accused is arrested and brought before the judge, the judge may admit the accused to bail, and in admitting the accused to bail, the judge should set as the amount of bail an amount double that generally set for the offense for which the accused was arrested.  This subsection does not apply to an accused who has previously been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor other than a misdemeanor punishable by fine only.



{NOTE: Article 15.17(b) above is in conflict with Sec. 543.008(b) of the Texas Transportation Code above and Sec. 38.10(a) of the Texas Penal Code below. The failure to appear must be willful. *** There is more to this above Article that you may want to review later.}



Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.  Amended by Acts 1967, 60th Leg., p. 1736, ch. 659, Sec. 12, eff. Aug. 28, 1967. Subsec. (f) added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 906, Sec. 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1094, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 320, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 735, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.



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FAILURE TO APPEAR




Texas Penal Code

Sec. 38.10.  Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear.

(a)    A person lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition that he subsequently appear commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly fails to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.

(b) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the appearance was incident to community supervision, parole, or an intermittent sentence.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the actor had a reasonable excuse for his failure to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.

(d) Except as provided in Subsections (e) and (f), an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor if the offense for which the actor's appearance was required is punishable by fine only.

(f) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the offense for which the actor's appearance was required is classified as a felony.



{NOTE:  The defense of a Failure to Appear is whereby the court did willfully withhold from you a copy of the complaint that you are suppose to have in your possession before you appear.  Look at the Complaint section. 45.018 in the Code of Criminal Procedure. Also, 38.10(c) above indicates that if you are just late or fail to appear whereby you have a reasonable excuse for failing to appear, the judge is restricted to put out a warrant for your arrest. Doing so, violates your right to due process.}



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SPECIAL APPEARANCE



NOTE:  File all paperwork by special appearance in the nature of, but not limited to rule 120(a) Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.



RULE 120a. SPECIAL APPEARANCE

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rules 121, 122 and 123, a special appearance may be made by any party either in person or by attorney for the purpose of objecting to the jurisdiction of the court over the person or property of the defendant on the ground that such party or property is not amenable to process issued by the courts of this State. A special appearance may be made as to an entire proceeding or as to any severable claim involved therein. Such special appearance shall be made by sworn motion filed prior to motion to transfer venue or any other plea, pleading or motion; provided however, that a motion to transfer venue and any other plea, pleading, or motion may be contained in the same instrument or filed subsequent thereto without waiver of such special appearance; and may be amended to cure defects. The issuance of process for witnesses, the taking of depositions, the serving of requests for admissions, and the use of discovery processes, shall not constitute a waiver of such special appearance. Every appearance, prior to judgment, not in compliance with this rule is a general appearance.

2. Any motion to challenge the jurisdiction provided for herein shall be heard and determined before a motion to transfer venue or any other plea or pleading may be heard. No determination of any issue of fact in connection with the objection to jurisdiction is a determination of the merits of the ease or any aspect thereof.

3. The court shall determine the special appearance on the basis of the pleadings, any stipulations made by and between the parties, such affidavits and attachments as may be filed by the parties, the results of discovery processes, and any oral testimony. The affidavits, if any, shall be served at least seven days before the hearing, shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth specific facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify.



Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that he cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify his opposition, the court may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.

Should it appear to the satisfaction of the court at any time that any of such affidavits are presented in violation of Rule 13, the court shall impose sanctions in accordance with that rule.

4. If the court sustains the objection to jurisdiction, an appropriate order shall be entered. If the objection to jurisdiction is overruled, the objecting party may thereafter appear generally for any purpose. Any such special appearance or such general appearance shall not be deemed a waiver of the objection to jurisdiction when the objecting party or subject matter is not amenable to process issued by the courts of this State.



Instead of using or coming by Special Appearance, use by Special Visitation.



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INDICTMENTS AND INFORMATIONS



When you get a traffic citation

1. Check the court records on that citation:

(A.) If there is an indictment or information 

            1. Examine the indictment or information and see if they follow the guidelines set out by the:



                          (a.) TEXAS CONSTITUTION Art 5 sec 12(b) & 17,



Section 12.  Judges as Conservators of the Peace; Indictments and Informations vest Jurisdiction

(b) An indictment is a written instrument presented to a court by a grand jury charging a person with the commission of an offense.  An information is a written instrument presented to a court by an attorney for the State charging a person with the commission of an offense.  The practice and procedures relating to the use of indictments and informations, including their contents, amendment, sufficiency, and requisites, are as provided by law.  The presentment of an indictment or information to a court invests the court with jurisdiction of the cause.



Section 17.  The County Court shall hold terms as provided by law.  Prosecutions may be commenced in said court by information filed by the county attorney, or by affidavit, as may be provided by law.  Grand juries empaneled in the District Courts shall inquire into misdemeanors, and all indictments therefor returned into the District Courts shall forthwith be certified to the County Courts or other inferior courts, having jurisdiction to try them for trial; and if such indictment be quashed in the County, or other inferior court, the person charged, shall not be discharged if there is probable cause of guilt, but may be held by such court or magistrate to answer an information or affidavit.  A jury in the County Court shall consist of six men; but no jury shall be empaneled to try a civil case unless demanded by one of the parties, who shall pay such jury fee therefor, in advance, as may be prescribed by law, unless he makes affidavit that he is unable to pay the same.



{This is a good example of “legalese,” how common words may be redefined for legal purposes.  What did you think ‘information’ meant?  There’s nothing really wrong with that, except the average person (regular private-sector sovereign citizen, i.e., all of us) who hasn’t read (let alone studied heavily) the law will likely NOT know the special definitions.  This puts us at a disadvantage, relative to the lawyers who train on court rules.  Is it possible they WANT us ignorant, so they can get paid more?

Some city (or other) courts insist they use neither informations NOR indictments for Class C Misdemeanor traffic offenses.  They rely only on the Complaint from the Officer. (See ‘Complaints,’ & Article 45.018, below.)  Remember, traffic “offenses” are considered criminal, NOT civil.  Courts ARE considering such offenses nearly indefensible, and the tradeoff is small fines.  But can there be any actual jurisdiction?}



                          (b.) Code of Criminal Procedures Art. 2, Art. 20 and Art. 21.



CHAPTER TWO—GENERAL DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Art. 2.05.  [29] [35] [36] When complaint is made.

If the offense be a misdemeanor, the attorney shall forthwith prepare an information based upon such complaint and file the same in the court having jurisdiction; provided, that in counties having no county attorney, misdemeanor cases may be tried upon complaint alone, without an information, provided, however, in counties having one or more criminal district courts an information must be filed in each misdemeanor case.  If the offense be a felony, he shall forthwith file the complaint with a magistrate of the county.



CHAPTER TWENTY—DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE GRAND JURY

Art. 20.20.  [392] [444] [432] Indictment prepared.

The attorney representing the State shall prepare all indictments which have been found, with as little delay as possible, and deliver them to the foreman, who shall sign the same officially, and said attorney shall endorse thereon the names of the witnesses upon whose testimony the same was found.



CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE—INDICTMENT AND INFORMATION

Art. 21.01.  [395] [450] [438] "Indictment".

An "indictment" is the written statement of a grand jury accusing a person therein named of some act or omission which, by law, is declared to be an offense.



Art. 21.02.  [396] [451] [439] Requisites of an indictment.

An indictment shall be deemed sufficient if it has the following requisites:

1.  It shall commence, "In the name and by authority of The State of Texas".

2.  It must appear that the same was presented in the district court of the county where the grand jury is in session.

3.  It must appear to be the act of a grand jury of the proper county.

4.  It must contain the name of the accused, or state that his name is unknown and give a reasonably accurate description of him.

5.  It must show that the place where the offense was committed is within the jurisdiction of the court in which the indictment is presented.

6.  The time mentioned must be some date anterior to the presentment of the indictment, and not so remote that the prosecution of the offense is barred by limitation.

7.  The offense must be set forth in plain and intelligible words.

8.  The indictment must conclude, "Against the peace and dignity of the State".

9.  It shall be signed officially by the foreman of the grand jury.



Art. 21.03.  [397] [452] [440] What should be stated.

Everything should be stated in an indictment which is necessary to be proved.



Art. 21.20.  [413] [477] [465] "Information".

An "information" is a written statement filed and presented in behalf of the State by the district or county attorney, charging the defendant with an offense which may by law be so prosecuted.



Art. 21.21.  [414] [478] [466] Requisites of an information.

An information is sufficient if it has the following requisites:

1.  It shall commence, "In the name and by authority of the State of Texas";

2.  That it appear to have been presented in a court having jurisdiction of the offense set forth;

3.  That it appear to have been presented by the proper officer;

4.  That it contain the name of the accused, or state that his name is unknown and give a reasonably accurate description of him;

5.  It must appear that the place where the offense is charged to have been committed is within the jurisdiction of the court where the information is filed;

6.  That the time mentioned be some date anterior to the filing of the information, and that the offense does not appear to be barred by limitation;

7.  That the offense be set forth in plain and intelligible words;

8.  That it conclude, "Against the peace and dignity of the State"; and

9.  It must be signed by the district or county attorney, officially.



Art. 21.22.  [415] [479] [467] Information based upon complaint.

No information shall be presented until affidavit has been made by some credible person charging the defendant with an offense.  The affidavit shall be filed with the information.  It may be sworn to before the district or county attorney who, for that purpose, shall have power to administer the oath, or it may be made before any officer authorized by law to administer oaths.



Art. 21.23.  [416] [480] [468] Rules as to indictment apply to information.

The rules with respect to allegations in an indictment and the certainty required apply also to an information.





(B.) If there is no indictment or information then get two friends to view the file, and file affidavits or verifications stating this fact; this is to set the record and show proof that the court has no jurisdiction. (Do NOT use/sign ‘Penalties of perjury,’ because it puts the question of whether or not to prosecute in the hands of the attorney).  If they proceed without an indictment or information, then any immunities they claim do not exist.  Barratry for judge and or prosecuting attorney.  Hale v. Henkel 201 U.S. 43 (1906)



Art. 28.04.  [527] [592] [581] Quashing charge in misdemeanor.

If the motion to set aside or the exception to an indictment or information is sustained, the defendant in a misdemeanor case shall be discharged, but may be again prosecuted within the time allowed by law.





(C.) Look at all records in the file.

            1. If there is a ticket with an affidavit, and the affidavit is from the cop, is the cop's affidavit in the name of THE STATE OF TEXAS and against the peace and dignity?  If so, then there is a violation of Penal Code 37.12 [impersonating an officer] because only the County Attorney, District Attorney, or the Attorney General, or a Grand Jury are the ones who can bring an action in the name of THE STATE OF TEXAS and against the peace and dignity CCP 20.20 [C.C.P all of Art.20 and all of Art 21 and the TEXAS CONSTITUTION Art 5 sec12(b)].

2. Send and file "Demand for Bill of Particulars and or a More Definite Statement" by special appearance.

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COMPLAINTS



{NOTE:  The main thing here is the information (21.21(9)), affidavit (22.21) and complaint (45.018) needed to prosecute you.  They never get it right. Please review the Texas Constitution section and read Article 5, Section 12(b) concerning ‘indictment and information’ and then read Article 5, Section 17 concerning ‘indictment’ concerning the below Art.s concerning ‘Information’.}



Texas Code of Criminal Procedure



Art. 2.05.  [29] [35] [36] When complaint is made.

If the offense be a misdemeanor, the attorney shall forthwith prepare an information based upon such complaint and file the same in the court having jurisdiction; provided, that in counties having no county attorney, misdemeanor cases may be tried upon complaint alone, without an information, provided, however, in counties having one or more criminal district courts an information must be filed in each misdemeanor case.  If the offense be a felony, he shall forthwith file the complaint with a magistrate of the county.



Art. 21.21.  [414] [478] [466] Requisites of an information.

An information is sufficient if it has the following requisites:

1.  It shall commence, "In the name and by authority of the State of Texas";

2.  That it appear to have been presented in a court having jurisdiction of the offense set forth; 3.  That it appear to have been presented by the proper officer;

4.  That it contain the name of the accused, or state that his name is unknown and give a reasonably accurate description of him;

5.  It must appear that the place where the offense is charged to have been committed is within the jurisdiction of the court where the information is filed;

6.  That the time mentioned be some date anterior to the filing of the information, and that the offense does not appear to be barred by limitation;

7.  That the offense be set forth in plain and intelligible words;

8.  That it conclude, "Against the peace and dignity of the State"; and

9.   It must be signed by the district or county attorney, officially.



Art. 21.22.  [415] [479] [467] Information based upon complaint.

No information shall be presented until affidavit has been made by some credible person charging the defendant with an offense.  The affidavit shall be filed with the information.  It may be sworn to before the district or county attorney who, for that purpose, shall have power to administer the oath, or it may be made before any officer authorized by law to administer oaths.



Art. 21.23.  [416] [480] [468] Rules as to indictment apply to information.

The rules with respect to allegations in an indictment and the certainty required apply also to an information.



Art. 21.24.  [417; 408a] [481] [469] Joinder of certain offenses.

(a) Two or more offenses may be joined in a single indictment, information, or complaint, with each offense stated in a separate count, if the offenses arise out of the same criminal episode, as defined in Chapter 3 of the Penal Code.

(b) A count may contain as many separate paragraphs charging the same offense as necessary, but no paragraph may charge more than one offense.

(c) A count is sufficient if any one of its paragraphs is sufficient.  An indictment, information, or complaint is sufficient if any one of its counts is sufficient.



Art. 27.14.  [518] [582] [571] Plea of guilty or nolo contendere in misdemeanor.  {no contest}

            (a) A plea of "guilty" or a plea of "nolo contendere" in a misdemeanor case may be made either by the defendant or his counsel in open court; in such case, the defendant or his counsel may waive a jury, and the punishment may be assessed by the court either upon or without evidence, at the discretion of the court.

            (b) A defendant charged with a misdemeanor for which the maximum possible punishment is by fine only may, in lieu of the method provided in Subsection (a) of this article, mail or deliver in person to the court a plea of "guilty" or a plea of "nolo contendere" and a waiver of jury trial.  The defendant may also request in writing that the court notify the defendant, at the address stated in the request, of the amount of an appeal bond that the court will approve.  If the court receives a plea and waiver before the time the defendant is scheduled to appear in court, the court shall dispose of the case without requiring a court appearance by the defendant.  The court shall notify the defendant either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the amount of any fine assessed in the case and, if requested by the defendant, the amount of an appeal bond that the court will approve.  The defendant shall pay any fine assessed or give an appeal bond in the amount stated in the notice before the 31st day after receiving the notice.

            (c) In a misdemeanor case for which the maximum possible punishment is by fine only, payment of a fine, or an amount accepted by the court constitutes a finding of guilty in open court, as though a plea of nolo contendere had been entered by the defendant and constitutes a waiver of a jury trial in writing.

            (d) If written notice of an offense for which maximum possible punishment is by fine only or of a violation relating to the manner, time, and place of parking has been prepared, delivered, and filed with the court and a legible duplicate copy has been given to the defendant, the written notice serves as a complaint to which the defendant may plead "guilty," "not guilty," or "nolo contendere."  If the defendant pleads "not guilty" to the offense, a complaint shall be filed that conforms to the requirements of Chapter 45 of this code, and that complaint serves as an original complaint.  A defendant may waive the filing of a sworn complaint and elect that the prosecution proceed on the written notice of the charged offense if the defendant agrees in writing with the prosecution, signs the agreement, and files it with the court.



Article 45.018 Complaint

(a) For purposes of this chapter, a complaint is a sworn allegation charging the accused with the commission of an offense.

(b) A defendant is entitled to notice of a complaint against the defendant not later than the day before the date of any proceeding in the prosecution of the defendant under the complaint.  The defendant may waive the right to notice granted by this subsection.



Article 45.032 Directed Verdict

 If, upon the trial of a case in a justice or municipal court, the state fails to prove a prima facie case of the offense alleged in the complaint, the defendant is entitled to a directed verdict of "not guilty."



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