Rule Text
37.42 Summons - Contents
The summons shall:
(a) Be in writing and in the name of the prosecuting county or municipality;
(b) State the name of the defendant summoned and the address, if known;
(c) Describe the ordinance violation charged;
(d) Be signed by the court, or clerk at the court's direction for a specific summons; and
(e) Command the defendant to appear before the court at a stated time and place in response thereto.
Amendment history: (Adopted May 14, 1985, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended Dec. 23, 2003, eff. Jul. 1, 2004; Jun. 28, 2019, eff. Jan. 1, 2020)
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When you get a summons for an ordinance violation, the law says it has to include certain basic information. It must be written down and show that it's coming from the county or city that's filing the charge. It also needs to list your name and address if the court knows it.
The summons has to clearly describe what ordinance violation you're being accused of, so you know what you're being charged with. A judge or court clerk has to sign it to make it official. Finally, it must tell you exactly when and where you need to show up in court.
This rule exists so people get clear notice about what's happening in their case. You should know who is charging you, what you're charged with, and when and where you need to appear.