By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio Municipal Judge Kassandra V. Flores on Monday said she and her staff are working to make sure justice is available to anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side of a citation, but emphasized that residents need to do their part as well.
Flores spoke to a handful of Del Rioans, city administrators and elected leaders in her courtroom on East Martin Street
Rioans who find themselves on the wrong side of a ticket. From left, Patricia Rodriguez, court
coordinator; Richard Lomas, court clerk; Flores, Michael McClellan, court clerk; Alize Cuellar,
court clerk; and Emily Jimenez, court clerk. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
on Monday. The municipal judge’s presentation was the centerpiece of a town hall meeting hosted by Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez.
Gutierrez welcomed those attending the meeting, saying she wanted to showcase the improvements and changes being made by Flores and her staff.
Following the presentation about the court, Gutierrez answered questions from audience members. (See Monday’s story.)
Gutierrez then introduced Flores, noting the municipal judge is one of only four city administrators who work directly for the city council. The other three are the city manager, the city attorney and the city secretary.
Flores, who has served as the city’s municipal judge for about two years, thanked those attending the meeting and welcomed them to the city’s municipal court. She also introduced the members of her staff present at the meeting.
Flores reviewed the municipal court and its function. The judge said she would conclude her presentation with initiatives she is planning.
She said municipal courts are established in Texas cities and towns and are meant to address Class C misdemeanor offenses and city ordinance violations.
“Essentially it’s for fine-only offenses, things that you won’t go to jail for, like traffic citations, health and safety citations, parking ordinances, public intoxication, minors in possession of alcohol or tobacco, drug paraphernalia, animal issues and warrants,” Flores said.
She called municipal courts “the front line of the Texas judicial system.”
“Municipal courts interact with more people than all the other state courts combined. It is estimated that municipal courts take about 70 to 80 percent of all criminal cases in Texas, so we have a pretty big docket,” Flores said.
She pointed out “anyone can end up here,” since most people drive a vehicle or own an animal.
“Our goal is not to be overly punitive, but to work with the public, to work with everyone to get to a proper and just resolution. Our role here is justice and public safety. We protect the quality of life for our community, and we deter criminal behavior,” Flores said.
Flores reviewed the court’s objectives as defined by the Texas Legislature, including providing fair notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard, ensuring appropriate dignity in court procedure without formalism, serving the ends of justice, making sure due process is given to all those who receive citations, making sure procedures are done “by the book” and processing cases without unnecessary expense or delay.
Flores reviewed the role of the clerks, whom she called “the backbone of the municipal court.”
She emphasized that although the clerks are happy to answer questions and explain court procedures, neither they nor the judge can give legal advice.
Flores explained the role of the judge and the prosecutor, then spoke about the rights and options available to citizens who come before the court.
Flores said citizens are innocent until proven guilty and have the right to due process. She noted “99.9 percent” of the persons who come before the court will not have an attorney appointed to them and added attorney appointments for municipal court cases are typically made on a case-by-case basis.
She said everyone who comes to the court has the right to a trial, either a jury trial, in which a jury of peers hears the case, or a bench trial, in which the judge hears the case. Persons found guilty also have the right to appeal their verdict to county court, she said.
Flores addressed fines assessed by the court.
“If you do plead guilty or no contest … and you are in a position where you can’t financially pay, I don’t want anyone to be afraid to come to court because they can’t afford their citation, and we will work with people,” Flores said.
She went step-by-step through the traffic citation process and repeatedly emphasized the court will work with citizens. She also stressed, however, that there are consequences for citizens who ignore their citations or who do not appear in court when required.
“We will never arrest you, we will never issue a warrant if you’re in communication with us, if you are keeping us in the loop, but if you disappear on us, if you never come in for your court date, if you don’t satisfy your judgment, at that point, you can get a warrant for your arrest,” Flores said.
Flores also discussed “new programs in the works” at municipal court.
She said she is looking at the possibility of establishing programs targeting young offenders that will reduce recidivism, promote accountability, enhance life skills, improve community relationships and support families.
Flores said one of the major initiatives her court will undertake during the last half of 2026 is a push to clear old warrants through a warrant roundup at the end of October.
“If you come to the court before Oct. 1, you will not be charged a warrant fee and you will be removed from the warrant roundup. We’re going to have a warrant roundup in October 2026, and that is because we have been noticing that people aren’t holding themselves accountable. … We have done this in the past, and we’re bringing it back,” Flores said.
Flores said the exact dates of the roundup will be publicized later.
“Key takeaways: Always appear in court on or before your citation date. Missing court leads to escalating consequences. You have options to entering your plea. Choose what fits your situation. If you have a financial hardship, please let us know. … We will work with you,” Flores said.
Flores reviewed court resources, noting the court is open at 125 E. Martin St. for in-person visits from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Citizens can also visit the city’s website for more information.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
