DPS OMNI System

From the Law Office of Alison Grinter in Dallas, Texas

The DPS Omnibase system is an attempt by the State to help municipal courts collect on their unpaid tickets. Here's how it works:
Municipal courts opt to join the system by entering into a contract with DPS and the independant vendor (Omnibase Services) that administrates it.

When someone receives a ticket for a Class C Misdemeanor in a participating court, and then does not show up to court to pay or set a trial on or before the date on the ticket, the court reports the citation to the service as a "Failure to Appear."

The service keeps a list of all of the people who have ignored their tickets in participating courts, and reports anyone who has a listing to the DPS.

The DPS then refuses to allow anyone with a Failure to Appear listing to renew their license when it expires. The license is not suspended or revoked, it just can't be renewed until the listing is cleared up.

To get your name off the list, you must satisfy the court that issued the citation. In most courts you must also pay an additional $30, which is the processing fee that the court had to pay to the service. This is paid directly to the court.

If you know that you have a hold on your license from a "Failure to Appear" that means you have an OMNI hold. Call their automated line 800-686-0570 or go to their website at http://www.texasfailuretoappear.com/search.php  . The phone line is almost always busy, but if you keep calling, you will eventually get through, and you will be able to find out which tickets and which courts have placed the hold. When you call, make sure to have a pen and paper handy, becaues you'll want to write down everything the system tells you.

Discuss this article with the  Law Office of Alison Grinter