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Austin Municipal Court’s South Substation — 5700 Manchaca Drive, Suite 300 – is closing soon.
Starting this Friday, March 1, 2019, people will need to visit one of Austin’s other two locations to handle court business:
- 700 E. 7th St.
- 12425 Lamplight Village Ave.
The Downtown Austin Community Court, 719 E. 6th, also will remain open.
Services provided at the south substation include allowing people to make payments, turn in Court documents, apply for standard payment plans and certain deferrals, and sign up for driving safety courses. The Court will work with stakeholders to accommodate anyone who misses a deadline or payment, because they went to the south substation after its closing.
The substation is closing, because the City’s lease on the building expired. The services and staff members of the south substation will be absorbed into the main downtown location, which will be located at 700 E. 7th until the end of 2019.
Municipal Court anticipates moving its main location to the Bergstrom Tech Center, 6800 Burleson Road, by the end of 2019. On Oct. 18, 2018, Austin City Council voted unanimously to approve a $29.9 million, 10-year contract with CCI-Burleson I, LP to lease the Bergstrom Tech Center as an immediate, temporary solution to the significant health, safety, and space issues identified in the current downtown location. During that time, the City will work to identify two permanent Court locations — one in north Austin, and one in south Austin. In addition, AMC also will work to identify a permanent facility for the Downtown Austin Community Court.
The south substation, which the City leases, doesn’t have the same building issues as the main location; however, the substation won’t be necessary after the move to the Bergstrom Tech Center, which will be 15 minutes (7 miles) away from the current substation location.
More information about the move to the Bergstrom Tech Center, including an official opening date, still are in progress.
Warrant Amnesty
The 2019 Austin Municipal Court and Downtown Community Court Warrant Amnesty Program ends this Thursday, Feb. 28. Thousands have already taken advantage of the Warrant Amnesty Program, which launched Feb. 1.
Individuals who resolve active warrants will have warrant fees waived; however, they must contact the court to take advantage of this program. No officers will be sent out to take defendants into custody during this time frame, and those who come to any Austin Municipal Court or Community Court location voluntarily will not be arrested. This program applies only to active cases in front of the Austin Municipal Court or Downtown Austin Community Court.
There are multiple walk-in dockets scheduled during the amnesty period. Judges are available at the walk-in dockets for people to address their cases. No appointments are needed during these walk-in dockets.
Remaining Warrant Amnesty 2019 Walk-In Dockets
Downtown location, 700 E. 7th St.
Wednesday 8:30 to 11 a.m.
1:30 to 3:45 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 to 11 a.m.
1:30 to 3:45 p.m.
6 to 8:30 p.m.
Community Court, 719 E. 6th St.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
Options are available for individuals who are not able to pay immediately, including payment plans, community service, or waivers for those who qualify. The last court date during the amnesty period is Thursday, Feb. 28.
For more information, visit austintexas.gov/court.
