Grand Prairie Municipal Court — Local services in Grand Prairie

This Court willfully violates Federal Law in its efforts to get people to pay their traffic fines. They strong arm people who qualify under Federal Law as 'Indigent' to pay. They do not inform these individuals that they have the right under Federal Law to what is called a Financial Hearing to determine their ability to pay. Municipalities are being sued over pulling this stunt nationwide. It violates the rights of the POOR. I wasn't working. I came to court and requested the hearing form. I was told by several clerks that Grand Prairie Court did not 'do those'. I was shocked. I knew this was required under Federal Law. The court clerks kept trying to get me set up on a payment plan which I knew I could not afford. I simply wanted community service. That's the purpose of the hearing. To see if you qualify for community service.

After I left court I contacted the court clerk whose email is on the website, SDCherry at gptx dot org, several times and he did not respond. At all. I then contacted the Head Clerk Uchechi Saka and asked her about the form. She was rather rude and told me that Grand Prairie Court did not 'do those' and she even went further and said "We aren't going to change our policies for YOU!". I told her it was required under FEDERAL LAW. She then responded with "This is Texas! We don't have to follow Federal Law!!". I almost dropped the phone in shock. What is up with the educational system here in Texas?! They are intentionally keeping the people ignorant. Better to control and exploit them that way I guess". I told her Texas would not have a choice but to follow a Federal Guideline (Iaw) handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court and given to the states. This law came into being from a case out of TEXAS NO LESS. She hung up on me. I'm not from Texas but we were taught in elementary school that state law must subordinate to Federal Law. That's how it works. Strange the students in Texas don't know that. That's probably why when they become adults they sound so 'extreme' and 'ignorant' when they rise to national platforms.

I then contacted the Grand Prairie City Attorney and City Manager. Needless to say I was sent the form. Out the blue this sdcherry character also started emailing me. The City Attorney tried to settle the matter by saying "Oh well, the clerks were 'technically' right because Financial Forms aren't handled by the clerks.'. No. I don't believe this statement. Even when I turned the form IN - two clerks had never seen it before and one even asked me "What is that?". I found myself explaining to him what the form was.

I then went to my hearing and the female Judge was equally shocked that I even had the form. When I was called up before her she demanded to know just HOW had I gotten the form. Before I could even answer she asked sarcastically "DID YOU GO TO THE DESK AND SAY YOU COULD NOT PAY"?! I wanted to say "WELL HELL YES" because I'm not working and I wanted community service but I kept it polite. The judge then wanted to know how I was paying my bills. I told her with help from family, specifically my mom. She then demanded my mother TURN OVER ALL OF HER BANK STATEMENTS to the court. OH HELL NO... NO WAY. I HAVE NO INCOME. THE COURT DOES NOT NEED TO SUBPOENA THE BANK RECORDS OF EVERYONE WHO HAS GIVEN ME GAS AND FOOD MONEY. What on earth. They then threatened to put warrants on me but decided to reschedule instead to give me time to look for work and obtain other records. OH MY GAWD PEOPLE... THESE FOLKS ARE AN...

My friend had a terrible experience at Grand Prairie Municipal Court. The clerk was extremely rude and unhelpful. He received four tickets for the same issue, totaling $1,000—not for speeding or running a red light, but due to a miscommunication, likely because he does not speak the same language.

When he went to court to request a court date, he asked for an interpreter, but they refused to provide one. Instead, they told him, “Just pay $1,000—it’s easier for you.” He even showed them that Texas law requires courts to provide an interpreter when needed, but they simply responded, “We don’t do that here.”

As a result, he had to attend court without an interpreter, relying only on Google Translate, which made it nearly impossible to understand what was happening. This is completely unfair to non-English speakers who deserve proper representation and communication. The lack of professionalism and refusal to follow basic rights made this experience extremely frustrating.

I wouldn’t recommend dealing with this court if you expect...

Horrible officers and staff. I definitely hate this department an believe it should be closed down immediately. Got pulled over for no insurance at the gas station I was pumping gas to head home with my toddler in the car. Instead of receiving a simple ticket was arrested and my car was towed had to wait till my family member came to get my toddler what horrible thing to experience. I was told by the officer they had the right to arrest me for ticket instead of writing me ticket an letting me leave. The janky part is the ticket the officer gave me was not the ticket they told me they would give me and what makes it more horrible I asked why did they change the ticket to something else and the cop had the nerve to laugh. Saying “More money for me” the worst department I have ever encountered. I’m in process of getting the ticket dismissed I’ve heard of crooked cops but the whole...