Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas

I received a Citation from the City of Missouri City in the mail to appear in court on Aug 6th because my trash cans were sited by a city inspector on a Monday. My trash collection is Sat, so I knew I hadn't left the containers out, so I called and the inspector said she would like to "Personally Apologize", but the city counsel just passed 6 ordinances that do not receive warnings, go straight to court in front of a judge. She said that I had not left the trash cans out in the front, but my trash recepticales were in sight on the side of my house (behind a bush). I purchased the home in Feb and that is where the trash receptecales were left, so I assumed it was OK to have them there. She said that this ordinance had just been passed in May and there was an ad placed in the Missouri City newspaper for notification. I don't even receive the Missouri City newspaper, so my question is, was this proper notification to the residents? I have looked on the City website and I can't find the six violations she is referring to. Can they legally send you straight to court for a violation with no warning of the violation? I asked what the fine is and it is $278. not including the time I have to take off from work, the research I have done and my frustration over this ridiculous citation.


Asked on 8/04/09, 10:51 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Cheryl Rivera Smith The Smith Law Firm

Yes.

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Answered on 8/07/09, 2:37 pm


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