Not Guilty Plea
A plea of not guilty means you are informing the court that you deny guilt in this case, and that the state must prove what it has charged against you. You have the right to a trial by judge or jury. You will need to decide whether or not to hire an attorney to represent you. You may defend yourself, but no one other than an attorney may represent you. Once you plead not guilty you waive your right to take a Driver Safety Course.
You may submit a Not Guilty Plea:
- In person at 302 W. Cotton St Longview, TX 75601
- Online - DocuSign
- By email Court@LongviewTexas.gov
- By mail to Longview Municipal Court PO Box 1952 Longview, TX 75606.
Please include Name, Date of Birth, Not Guilty Plea, and choice of Bench Trial or Jury Trial
Your Rights
You have many rights as a defendant in municipal court:
- In a criminal case, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
- You have the right to hire a lawyer to represent you
- You have the right to represent yourself (as a pro se defendant)
- You have the right to view certain evidence before trial to your case, called discovery
- If you are convicted and unable to immediately pay the fine and costs, you have the right to request the court to consider alternatives
- If you need the services of an interpreter, please notify the court clerk at the time the trial is requested
Your rights during trial:
- You have the right to hear all testimony introduced against you
- You have the right to cross examine witnesses who testify against you
- You have the right to testify on your own behalf or remain silent
- You have the right to present evidence and call witnesses to testify on your behalf