Last Updated on June 6, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
What is a “Scofflaw” Hold in Dallas County? And How to Get Your Registration Back.
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Expert Legal Assistance for Vehicle Registration Blocks in Dallas. Call The Beltz Law Group Today: 214-321-4105
Are you trying to renew your vehicle registration in Dallas County, only to find a “scofflaw” block preventing you from doing so? This is a common and frustrating issue for many drivers. A “scofflaw” hold essentially means your county tax assessor-collector or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is refusing to register your vehicle because you have unresolved issues with a court or county entity.
At The Beltz Law Group, we understand how a registration block can disrupt your life. We specialize in helping drivers in Dallas County resolve these issues, lift their scofflaw holds, and get their vehicles legally registered again.
Understanding the “County Scofflaw” Law
The ability for a county to place a “scofflaw” hold is codified in the Texas Transportation Code, Section 502.010. COUNTY SCOFFLAW.
(a) A county assessor-collector or the department may refuse to register a motor vehicle if the assessor-collector or the department receives information that the owner of the vehicle: (1) owes the county money for a fine, fee, or tax that is past due; or (2) failed to appear in connection with a complaint, citation, information, or indictment in a court in the county in which a criminal proceeding is pending against the owner.
(b) A county may contract with the department to provide information to the department necessary to make a determination under Subsection (a).
(c) A county that has a contract under Subsection (b) shall notify the department regarding a person for whom the county assessor-collector or the department has refused to register a motor vehicle on: (1) the person’s payment or other means of discharge of the past due fine, fee, or tax; or (2) perfection of an appeal of the case contesting payment of the fine, fee, or tax.
In plain terms, a “scofflaw” hold is typically placed on your vehicle’s registration when:
- You have unpaid fines, fees, or taxes owed to a county court or entity. This often relates to old traffic tickets, parking tickets, or other municipal/justice court fines that have gone past due.
- You failed to appear in court for a complaint, citation, or other criminal proceeding pending against you in that county. This usually means there’s an active warrant for your arrest related to the unresolved court case.
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When a county has a contract with the TxDMV (which Dallas County does), they send information to block your registration. This is a powerful tool to compel individuals to resolve their outstanding legal obligations.
The Impact of a Scofflaw Hold
A scofflaw hold directly prevents you from renewing your vehicle’s registration. Driving with an expired registration can lead to new citations, fines, and potentially even your vehicle being towed. It creates a cascade of problems that only worsen over time.
How The Beltz Law Group Can Help Lift Your Scofflaw Hold
If you have a registration block due to a scofflaw hold in Dallas County, The Beltz Law Group can provide comprehensive legal assistance. Our goal is to get your vehicle legally registered again while protecting your driving record.
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Here’s how we can assist:
- Warrant Lifts: If the scofflaw hold is due to a missed court date and an active warrant, our immediate priority is to get that warrant lifted. This removes the threat of arrest and allows us to address the underlying citation.
- Addressing the Underlying Cases: We will represent you in the relevant Dallas County court (which could be Dallas Municipal Court, a Justice of the Peace court, or another county court) to resolve the original traffic tickets, fines, or other pending criminal matters that triggered the hold.
- Negotiating for Favorable Outcomes: Our attorneys work to:
- Keep Tickets Off Your Driving Record: Our primary objective for traffic tickets is to secure a dismissal or a deferred disposition, preventing a conviction from appearing on your record. This is crucial for keeping your insurance rates down and avoiding potential driver’s license suspensions.
- Resolve Outstanding Fines/Fees: We negotiate with the courts to resolve any past-due fines, fees, or taxes in a way that allows the scofflaw block to be released.
- Removing the Registration Block: Once the underlying issues are resolved or a payment plan is established, the court will notify the TxDMV that the scofflaw hold can be removed. We will guide you through this process to ensure your vehicle registration can be completed without further delay.
Don’t let a scofflaw hold keep you from legally driving your vehicle. These issues won’t disappear on their own and tend to become more costly over time.
If you have a scofflaw on your vehicle registration in Dallas County, give The Beltz Law Group a call. We can explain more on how our Dallas attorneys can help you, or fill out our online questionnaire to get started.
can I sell a car unde the scofflaw
I have 3 redlight tickets in Dallas how much do u charge to get it lifted! I have had them forover 2 Yrs! I also have one in Balch Springs!
If they are camera tickets, then they should not be in warrant. Call our traffic ticket team at 214-321-4105 to review the matter.
Great question. I would think the sale would be valid, but the person would have a hell of a time getting it registered.
Can you purchase a vehicle and be making payments at car lot if your scofflawed. How will car be registered
My vehicle recieved two scofflaw tickets at about the same time in Rcihardson and Denton. During that time Richardson lost during an appeal in Dallas. Judge Noah stated the city of Richardson had to borrow money to pay of 14 million in damages and dismiss all red-light camera claims. I desire to prosecute city of Denton using the same appellate case pleadings.