Clute Municipal Court
Judge Randy A. Smith
108 Hargett
Clute, TX 77531
Office 979-265-5421 * Fax 979-265-6384
Cell Ph 979-799-5129
Available 24 Hours
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday
8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Judge Smith is currently in his seventh term as the Municipal Court Judge. Judge Smith also served on the Executive Board of the Great Texas Mosquito Festival Swat Team. Judge Smith has resided in Clute since he was three years old. Throughout his years living in Clute he has been actively involved with the Clute Girls Softball Association and has supported numerous other community organizations.
Since he has taken office, Judge Smith has implemented the use of prisoners and probationers to help clean out city streets. He has also changed the office hours to 10-hour days to better serve the community.
Mission
The Municipal Court is the Judicial Branch of government for the City of Clute. It’s mission is to interpret and apply the applicable laws, to treat the citizens of Clute in a courteous manner, and to assure them of a fair, impartial and timely disposition of their case.
Description
The role of the municipal court is to provide a fair, independent, and impartial forum for the adjudication of fine-only criminal cases arising within the Clute City limits. These include traffic, penal code, and city ordinance cases. The court provides all persons the right to trial by judge or jury and follows the procedures set forth under Texas law. The court conducts adult and juvenile hearings, collects fines, processes alternative methods of disposition, such as deferred disposition, driving safety, and other sanctions of the court, and issue warrants of arrest.
Juvenile Offenses / Minor Offenses
Under provision of Chapter 729 of the Texas Transportation Code any Juvenile (a person under 17 years of age) must appear in open court with one or both parents or guardians. Any minor (a person under 21 years of age) charged with a violation pertaining to an alcohol or tobacco offense must appear in open court before the judge. In addition to the fine, mandatory attendance of Alcohol or Tobacco Awareness Class and 8 to 40 hours of community service are required.