Last Updated on June 19, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
North Texas Tollway Tickets
Defending Against North Texas Tollway Tickets: A Two-Step Process
Failure to pay tollway tickets issued by the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) are a common and often frustrating issue for many drivers in North Texas. These citations can quickly escalate, leading to significant financial burdens and legal complications. However, resolving these matters is a structured process, typically involving two distinct steps: negotiating the alleged unpaid toll amount and then resolving the underlying criminal citation.
The Beltz Law Group understands the complexities of these cases and offers experienced legal representation to guide you through each stage. If you’re facing an NTTA failure to pay tollway ticket, contact us at 214-321-4105 to discuss your options.
Step 1: Negotiating Restitution on the Alleged Unpaid Toll Amount
The initial phase of defending a failure to pay tollway ticket focuses on the financial aspect: the alleged unpaid tolls themselves. When a citation is issued, it’s often accompanied by substantial administrative fees in addition to the original toll amounts.
The first crucial action is to have an attorney formally enter an appearance with the Justice of the Peace court where your citation is pending. Your attorney will carefully review your ticket to determine the correct precinct and then submit a “not guilty” plea on your behalf. This plea is vital as it preserves your constitutional rights to due process and acts as a protective measure between you and the NTTA.
Once your “not guilty” plea is received, the court will typically schedule a pretrial hearing. This hearing provides a crucial opportunity for your attorney to engage in negotiations with the NTTA. Your lawyer will meticulously review the invoices and alleged toll amounts, aiming to distinguish the original toll debt from any accumulated administrative fees. The goal at this stage is to reach a settlement with the NTTA for a significantly reduced amount, ideally consisting only of the core unpaid tolls. This negotiation is a critical part of minimizing the financial impact of the citation.
NTTA Ticket Defense Attorney
Step 2: Resolving the Underlying Criminal Citation for Failure to Pay Tollway
Once an agreement on the restitution amount has been reached or is in progress, the focus shifts to resolving the criminal citation for failure to pay tollway. It’s important to understand that the citation itself is a separate legal matter from the civil debt of the unpaid tolls.
If a successful agreement is reached during the restitution negotiation (Step 1), it often paves the way for a more favorable resolution of the criminal citation. In many cases, if the agreed-upon restitution is paid, your attorney can negotiate with the NTTA and the court to have the criminal citation dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation, thereby preventing it from appearing on your driving record as a conviction for failure to pay.
Navigating the legal system and negotiating with an entity like the NTTA can be challenging without professional legal assistance. Retaining an attorney for a failure to pay tollway ticket provides you with a knowledgeable advocate who can effectively communicate with the NTTA, understand the relevant statutes, and work towards the best possible outcome for your case. Having an experienced NTTA ticket attorney by your side significantly increases your chances of a successful resolution, both in terms of the financial debt and the criminal citation.
If you are dealing with failure to pay tollway tickets from the NTTA, do not hesitate to seek legal counsel. Contact The Beltz Law Group today at 214-321-4105 to discuss your specific situation and learn how we can help you navigate this two-step process.
