Show All Answers

1. Where is your office located and what is your mailing address?

The City Attorney’s office is located on the second floor inside City Hall. The address for City Hall is P.O. Box 1758, Victoria, Texas, 77902.

2. Is the Mayor’s office in City Hall?

The Mayor does not have an office inside City Hall, but you may send mail to the address above for City Hall for the Mayor, and you may call the City Manager’s office to leave a phone message for the Mayor at (361) 485-3030. All mail and phone messages are forwarded to the Mayor by the City Manager’s office.

3. How can I speak to Council?

You may send an email directly to the Mayor or any City Council member by visiting this webpage:

http://www.victoriatx.gov/501/City-Council

If you want to speak directly to all Council members, every City Council meeting includes the opportunity for citizens to address Council during Citizen Communication. City Council meetings occur on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers which is located at 107 W. Juan Linn (across from Fossati’s Deli).

4. I need help with a legal issue. Can the City Attorney help me?

No. The City Attorney does not represent individuals in private legal matters. Attorneys in the office only represent City officials, departments, agencies, and employees in the course of their official acts or business. For general questions or if seeking legal representation, please call the Texas Bar Association at 1-800-252-9690. Additionally, you may be able to obtain free legal services through the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid – Victoria Office by visiting www.TexasLawHelp.org .

5. How can I get a copy of the City of Victoria Municipal Code?

The City of Victoria’s Code of Ordinances is accessible on-line here:

https://library.municode.com/tx/victoria/codes/code_of_ordinances

Hard copies of codes or a particular ordinance may also be obtained from the City Secretary’s Office on the first floor inside City Hall.

6. Can the City’s Municipal Code be changed?

Yes. City Staff ask City Council to make changes to City code via Ordinance placed on a City Council agenda which is then passed by a majority vote of Council members. Most Ordinances changing City Code must begin with a public hearing and then be read a second and third time at the subsequent City Council meeting.

7. Can I make changes to City Code?

The City Charter provides that citizens may create legislation by initiative. “Any ordinance initiated by the people may be submitted to the City Council by petition signed by qualified voters of the City of Victoria equal in number to ten percent or more of the qualified voters of the City.” More information can be found in the City Charter or by contacting the City Secretary’s office.

8. What does the prosecuting attorney do?

The City’s prosecuting attorney is responsible for representing the state of Texas in Class C misdemeanor cases before the Municipal Court. Examples of Class C misdemeanor cases include traffic and non-traffic offenses, animal control violations, code violations, and juvenile offenses.

9. Does the prosecutor represent me in Court?

The City’s prosecutor represents the state of Texas, not individuals, in court proceedings.

10. How can I get information about a citation I received or information about my court case?

Please visit the City’s Municipal Court webpage at: http://www.victoriatx.org/217/Municipal-Court .

11. How can I file a claim against the City?

The City Attorney’s office offers a webform for filing claims that may be found here:

 http://www.victoriatx.org/190/Claims

12. Who do I call to report a possible crime or City code violation?

Reports or complaints concerning any violation of law occurring in the City should be made to either the Victoria Police Department by calling (361) 573-3221 for non-emergencies or Code Enforcement at (361) 485-3330. In case of an emergency, call 911.

13. What is the difference between the City Attorney and the District Attorney?

The City Attorney is appointed by the Victoria City Council. The attorneys in the office provide legal advice and services to the City Council, its officials, departments, employees, boards, and commissions. The City Attorney enforces the City’s municipal codes. The District Attorney is an elected official who investigates and prosecutes criminal activities throughout Victoria County.