Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
The Two-Fold Problem: Citation and Outstanding Balance
North Texas Tollway Tickets
When you receive a “Failure to Pay Tollway” ticket, you’re typically looking at two distinct but interconnected issues that need to be resolved:
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The Criminal Citation (Class C Misdemeanor): First and foremost, the “Failure to Pay Tollway” ticket itself is a Class C Misdemeanor. This is a criminal offense, just like a speeding ticket or running a stop sign. If ignored, this citation can lead to severe consequences, including:
- Warrant for Your Arrest: If you miss your appearance date for this Class C misdemeanor citation, the court can issue an arrest warrant. This means you could be pulled over and taken to jail at any time.
- OMNI Base Program (Driver’s License Hold): A warrant for a Failure to Pay Tollway can also trigger an OMNI Base hold on your driver’s license, preventing you from renewing it until the case is resolved.
- Conviction on Your Driving Record: A conviction for this offense can appear on your driving record, potentially leading to increased insurance rates.
How The Beltz Law Group Helps: Our attorneys will promptly enter an appearance on your behalf with the appropriate Justice of the Peace court. This action signals to the court that you are addressing the citation and often prevents a warrant from being issued, or can get an existing warrant lifted. We will then set a court date to resolve the criminal citation, working towards a dismissal or deferred disposition to keep the offense off your driving record.
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The Outstanding Toll Balance (Civil Matter): Separate from the criminal citation, you still have the accumulated unpaid tolls and administrative fees owed to the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) or other toll road entities. The NTTA is aggressive in its collection efforts, and these balances can accrue quickly, often becoming far larger than the original toll amounts due to escalating fees.
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How The Beltz Law Group Helps: At the same court hearing where we address your criminal citation, NTTA representatives will often be present. Our attorneys will engage with them to obtain the exact outstanding toll balance associated with your case. We will then submit this balance to you, our client, for your review. At this point, you will have a crucial decision to make:
- (1) Accept the Offer and Resolve Both Issues: If the NTTA’s proposed balance is acceptable, our attorneys can help facilitate a resolution that clears both the criminal citation and the civil toll debt. This often involves negotiating a payment plan or a reduced amount.
- (2) Reject the Offer and Resolve the Citation Only: If you dispute the outstanding toll balance or the proposed amount is too high, you have the option to reject the NTTA’s offer. In this scenario, our focus will be solely on resolving the criminal “Failure to Pay Tollway” citation to protect your driving record from a criminal conviction. The underlying civil toll balance would then need to be addressed separately, potentially through further negotiation or by allowing the NTTA to pursue civil collection methods.
Failure to Pay Tollway Tickets In Texas
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation
Navigating a “Failure to Pay Tollway” ticket involves both criminal court procedures and negotiations with the toll authority. It’s a complex process that can have significant financial and legal ramifications if not handled correctly.
The Beltz Law Group provides experienced legal counsel to ensure:
- Your criminal citation is handled effectively to protect your driving record.
- Warrants are lifted and driver’s license holds are removed swiftly.
- You understand your options regarding the outstanding toll balance.
- You have a knowledgeable advocate negotiating on your behalf.
Don’t let unpaid tolls spiral out of control. If you’ve received a “Failure to Pay Tollway” ticket, contact The Beltz Law Group today. We are ready to help you resolve your citation and navigate the complexities of outstanding toll balances.
what is the NTTA hired a attorney by the name of Law Firm of Robert & Watson,P.C. which the toll tag told me that they have several attorney working there toll cases. And by the way the toll tag authority once they turn your case over to these so called attorney(collection agency). They will not answered any question
Jackie:
It sounds like the law firm is just another collections agency looking to get the most out of you. Call our office to see if we can help you. We would like to review the letter you received. There will be no charge to consult you on the matter. Thank you.
I received a demand for payment from Linebarger Goggan Blair & Simpson. I spoke to NTTA and they told me to contact the collection agency to make payments. I do not want to go to court. Is my only option to hire you and go to court or to pay the collection agency?
Your best option is to hire a lawyer to assist you with the collection effort. The attorney must first figure out how much you actually owe. Excluding all the mark up fees that they try to tack on. Then we try to negotiate the actual amount owed. This is your best bet to getting the problem resolved with NTTA.
I moved and I changed my credit card information due to some fraudulent charges consistently drawing out of my bank account. With all the distractions, I forgot to update my information for my account at NTTA. I called them and owed an unreasonable bill. I will need some advice if someone can assist me.
Right now, a law was passed that forces NTTA to settle for 10% of the amount owed on any outstanding bills over 90 days. Call them and tell them to do this now before the window closes.
I am so far in with all this NTTA and have tried to work with them. i had another person I shared my NTTA account with and they filed bankrupcy and added these tolls but now I have warrants for me for this persons tolls since my name is on the account even though they showed me making 50 dollars of month payments from 2010 -2012. I thought all this was resolved when she did her bankrupcy but I get pulled over and almost taken to jail. Can you please help or point me in the right direction. I am desparate.
I just move from florida and my wife move firs like a year ago, she didn’t know the you got to get a sticke first for it now I got 6 tickets on colleccion of $580 dollars plus $40 more and thats only one car I got 2 more cars probably the amount is biger on the others I don’t know what to do probably is more than 2000 dollars I vot a wif she is not working and 3 kids one newborn….
I have $1396.54 in toll charges and fees and I am trying to find out the best way to resolve this issue, since the majority of the charges are admin and service fees.
Got a ticket from Garland saying they will issue a warrant for my arrest over a 15.00 fee. I have not used the toll way in 6 months. I’m a disable Veteran and the time I have used the toll way was on my way to the VA Hospital.