Our office is in downtown Fort Worth, minutes from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center at 401 West Belknap Street, where most Tarrant County criminal cases are heard. Misdemeanors go to the County Criminal Courts at Law. Felonies go to the district courts. We are in that building constantly, and that familiarity is worth more in criminal defense than it is in almost any other area of law.

Criminal Defense Across Tarrant County

We represent people facing criminal charges throughout Tarrant County, including Fort Worth, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Mansfield, Keller, Euless, Bedford, Hurst, Grapevine, Haltom City, Crowley, Saginaw, Benbrook, Watauga, White Settlement, Southlake and Colleyville.

Where an arrest happens can affect what comes next. Different police departments make the initial arrest, but cases ultimately move into the Tarrant County court system. Knowing where the case is going, which court will hear it and what needs to happen before the first setting is an important part of getting ahead of a criminal charge.

What Happens After an Arrest in Tarrant County?

An arrest is only the beginning of the process. What happens next depends on the charge, where the arrest occurred, whether a bond has already been set and other circumstances of the case.

Booking. After an arrest, the person is booked into custody. This generally involves identification, fingerprinting, photographs, property inventory and processing of the charges. Depending on where the arrest occurred, a person may initially be held at a municipal facility before being transferred into the Tarrant County jail system.

Magistration. An arrested person is brought before a magistrate, who advises the person of the accusation and certain constitutional rights and addresses bond and release conditions. The timing varies depending on when the arrest occurs, jail volume and the circumstances of the case.

Bond. If bond is available, release may occur after the bond is posted and the jail completes its release procedures. Conditions of bond may also be imposed. In some cases, those conditions can significantly affect a person's daily life while the case is pending.

The first court setting. Release from jail does not mean the case is over. The case is assigned to a court and court appearances follow. The exact timeline varies, so defendants should rely on the actual notices and instructions issued in their case rather than assuming a particular date based on someone else's experience.

The period immediately after an arrest matters. Evidence can disappear, video can be overwritten and witnesses' memories can change. Early representation gives the defense an opportunity to begin investigating before the case has progressed further.

Where Tarrant County Criminal Cases Are Heard

Many Tarrant County criminal cases are handled at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in downtown Fort Worth.

Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, Texas

Misdemeanor cases are generally handled by the County Criminal Courts at Law, while felony cases are handled by the criminal district courts. The court assigned to a case determines where hearings take place and how the case moves through the system.

Our Fort Worth office is only minutes from the courthouse. We regularly handle cases in the Tarrant County criminal courts and understand the practical side of appearing there, from court settings and scheduling to the procedures that can vary from one courtroom to another.

DWI Enforcement in Tarrant County

Tarrant County includes some of the busiest nightlife and entertainment areas in North Texas. DWI enforcement is particularly visible around areas such as West 7th, Sundance Square and the Fort Worth Stockyards, where officers frequently encounter drivers leaving restaurants, bars, concerts and other events.

Enforcement activity can also increase around major holidays and special events. No-refusal initiatives and other enhanced enforcement efforts may involve additional resources for obtaining blood-search warrants when a driver refuses a requested breath or blood test.

An arrest for DWI does not establish guilt. The legality of the traffic stop, the officer's observations, field sobriety testing, body-camera footage, breath or blood testing, warrants and laboratory procedures may all become important issues in the defense.

If you were arrested for driving while intoxicated, visit our DWI defense page to learn more about how Texas DWI cases are investigated and challenged.

Drug and THC Cases in Tarrant County

Drug investigations do not always begin as drug investigations. Many start with an ordinary traffic stop.

Major routes through Tarrant County include I-35W, I-30, I-20, Loop 820 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway. A stop for speeding, a lane violation, an equipment issue or another alleged traffic offense can develop into questions about drugs, requests to search the vehicle or a search based on alleged probable cause.

When drugs or THC products are discovered during a traffic stop, the legality of the detention and search can become central to the case. Officers cannot extend every traffic stop indefinitely or search every vehicle simply because they want to investigate further.

THC cases can also be more serious than people expect. Texas law treats certain THC concentrates and extracts differently from ordinary marijuana, and the weight attributed to a product can have a major effect on the charge.

Visit our THC and marijuana defense pages for more information about these cases.

Tarrant County Diversion Programs

A criminal charge does not always have to end in a conviction. Tarrant County has diversion and alternative-resolution programs that may be available in qualifying cases.

Eligibility depends on factors such as the charge, criminal history, facts of the case and requirements of the particular program. Some options may have application deadlines or other conditions that make it important to evaluate eligibility early.

When a diversion program is appropriate, successful completion may provide a significantly better outcome than a traditional conviction. It is also important to understand the consequences of entering a program before agreeing to participate.

For a more detailed explanation of available options, visit our Tarrant County diversion programs page.

Going to Court in Tarrant County

If you have a court date at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, plan ahead. Downtown traffic, parking, courthouse security and finding the correct courtroom can take longer than expected.

Courthouse: Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
Address: 401 West Belknap Street, Fort Worth, Texas

Arrive early. Give yourself enough time to park, enter the building, pass through security and locate the correct courtroom before your scheduled appearance.

Dress appropriately. Court is a formal setting. Clean, conservative clothing is generally the safest choice. Avoid clothing with offensive language or graphics and anything that could distract from why you are there.

Bring what your lawyer tells you to bring. That may include identification or documents relevant to the case. Do not bring unnecessary items into the courthouse.

Know your courtroom before you arrive. Confirm the court, date and time rather than relying on memory. Multiple criminal courts operate within the courthouse, and going to the wrong courtroom can create unnecessary problems.

Expect security. Courthouse visitors should expect security screening when entering the building. Leave prohibited items behind and allow additional time to get inside.

Your lawyer should explain what is expected at a particular setting and whether you will need to speak. Do not discuss the facts of your case with other people while waiting in courthouse hallways or public areas.

Criminal Charges We Handle in Tarrant County

We defend people facing misdemeanor and felony allegations throughout Tarrant County.

DWI Defense

A DWI case can involve much more than a breath or blood result. We examine the reason for the stop, field sobriety testing, officer observations, video evidence, warrants, chemical testing and the procedures used to obtain and analyze evidence.

Learn More

THC and Marijuana Charges

THC concentrates, vape cartridges, edibles and other cannabis products can create unexpectedly serious criminal allegations under Texas law. Search and seizure issues, possession, laboratory testing and the weight attributed to the substance may all affect the case.

Learn More

Talk to a Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyer

A criminal charge can affect your freedom, your record, your job and your future. It also puts the government in motion immediately. The sooner the defense understands what happened, the sooner it can identify evidence that needs to be preserved and legal issues that need to be challenged.

Our office is in downtown Fort Worth near the Tarrant County criminal courts, and we represent clients facing criminal allegations throughout the county.

If you have been arrested, charged with a crime or believe you are under investigation in Tarrant County, contact our office to discuss your case.

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Parker County is not Tarrant County with a different courthouse. It is a smaller docket, a smaller bar, and a different plea culture — and the same set of facts can be charged and resolved differently thirty miles west of Fort Worth than it is downtown. Anyone who tells you the county does not matter has not practiced in both.

Criminal Defense Across Parker County

We represent people facing criminal charges throughout Parker County, including Weatherford, Willow Park, Aledo, Springtown, Azle, Hudson Oaks, Annetta, Millsap and Poolville.

Cases from these communities move through the Parker County court system in Weatherford. The statutes may be the same ones applied elsewhere in Texas, but the way a case moves through a local courthouse matters. Docket size, prosecutors, judges, scheduling practices and the way negotiations take place can all affect how a case progresses.

Where Parker County Criminal Cases Are Heard

Parker County criminal cases are handled in Weatherford through the county and district court system. Misdemeanor cases generally proceed through the county courts at law, while felony cases are handled in the district courts.

Compared with Tarrant County, Parker County has a smaller criminal docket and a smaller group of lawyers, prosecutors and judges regularly working those cases. That can change the pace and feel of a prosecution.

A smaller docket does not necessarily mean that a case will be resolved quickly or easily. It means the lawyer needs to understand how that particular courthouse operates rather than approaching the case as though every North Texas county handles criminal charges the same way.

What Happens After an Arrest in Parker County?

After an arrest, the case begins moving through the local criminal justice system. The exact process depends on the charge, the arresting agency, whether bond has been set and whether the allegation is a misdemeanor or felony.

Booking. Following an arrest, the person is processed into custody. Booking generally includes identification, fingerprinting, photographs and documentation of the alleged offense.

Magistration and bond. A magistrate advises the arrested person of the accusation and certain rights and addresses bond when appropriate. Bond conditions may also be imposed depending on the charge and circumstances.

Court assignment. The case is eventually assigned to the appropriate county court at law or district court. From there, the defendant will receive court settings and the prosecution and defense begin addressing discovery, evidence, negotiations and potential motions.

The pace can differ from what someone might experience in Tarrant County. That is one reason a lawyer's familiarity with the local court system matters from the beginning rather than only when plea negotiations start.

DWI and Drug Enforcement on I-20 and US-180

Two roads are particularly important in Parker County criminal cases: I-20 and US-180.

I-20 runs through communities including Willow Park and Weatherford and carries substantial traffic between Fort Worth and communities farther west. US-180 is another major route through the county. Many DWI and drug investigations begin with traffic enforcement along these corridors.

A case may start with an allegation of speeding, an equipment violation, lane movement or another traffic offense and then develop into a DWI investigation or a request to search the vehicle.

When that happens, the initial stop matters.

Police generally need a lawful basis to stop a vehicle, and the length and scope of the detention can become important issues if a routine traffic stop turns into a drug investigation. Depending on the circumstances, the defense may examine dash-camera and body-camera footage, the officer's stated reason for the stop, how long the driver was detained, whether consent to search was requested and whether probable cause existed for any search conducted without consent.

Parker County DWI Cases

A DWI arrest along I-20, US-180 or elsewhere in Parker County can involve field sobriety testing, breath testing, blood testing or a search warrant for a blood specimen.

Those pieces of evidence are not automatically conclusive.

The defense can examine why the vehicle was stopped, what the officer observed before beginning a DWI investigation, how standardized field sobriety tests were administered, what video shows and whether procedures were followed when breath or blood evidence was obtained.

Blood cases can raise additional questions involving the warrant, collection of the sample, chain of custody and laboratory analysis.

A DWI charge is an accusation. The State still has to prove the case with admissible evidence.

Drug and THC Cases in Parker County

Drug cases frequently grow out of traffic stops as well. An officer may claim to smell marijuana, observe something inside the vehicle, receive consent to search or assert another basis for probable cause.

Each step should be examined separately.

Being inside a vehicle where drugs are discovered does not automatically establish possession. When multiple people occupy the same vehicle, the State must still connect the accused person to the substance.

THC products can create additional problems because concentrates, vape cartridges, extracts and certain other products may be treated differently from ordinary marijuana under Texas law. The type of substance, laboratory identification and weight attributed to it can significantly affect the potential charge.

Why a Smaller County Cuts Both Ways

Practicing in a smaller county has advantages and disadvantages.

There may be more direct access to the prosecutors handling a case and fewer layers between the defense lawyer and the people making decisions. Judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers may also encounter one another regularly because the local criminal bar is smaller.

But there is less anonymity.

A lawyer's reputation, preparation and credibility can matter considerably in an environment where the same people work together repeatedly. Promises are remembered. Preparation is noticed. So is a lack of preparation.

That does not mean a lawyer receives special treatment because of relationships, and it should never mean that. It means understanding how to advocate effectively within the local system, knowing how cases are typically evaluated and recognizing when the facts justify pushing for an outcome outside the ordinary range.

Local familiarity is not a substitute for legal analysis. It makes that analysis more useful.

Plea Negotiations in Parker County

Most criminal cases do not ultimately reach a jury trial, which makes plea negotiations an important part of criminal defense.

But negotiation should come after investigation, not instead of it.

Before advising a client about an offer, the defense should understand the evidence, identify weaknesses in the State's case and determine whether suppression issues, evidentiary problems or other defenses could change the prosecution's position.

In a smaller courthouse, familiarity with local plea practices can provide important context. The same offer may not carry the same meaning in every county, and knowing what is typical helps a lawyer evaluate whether a proposed resolution is reasonable or whether there is a basis to push for something better.

Going to Court in Weatherford

If your case requires an appearance in Weatherford, confirm the exact courthouse, courtroom, date and time with your lawyer before you go.

Plan to arrive early enough to park, pass through any required security and locate the correct courtroom. Do not assume that arriving at the courthouse at the time printed on your notice gives you enough time.

Dress appropriately for court. Conservative clothing is generally the safest choice. Bring identification and any documents your attorney has specifically asked you to bring, but avoid carrying unnecessary items into the courthouse.

Most importantly, do not discuss the facts of your case with other defendants, witnesses or people waiting in courthouse hallways. Conversations in public areas are not privileged simply because they occur inside a courthouse.

Charges We Handle in Parker County

We represent clients facing misdemeanor and felony allegations throughout Parker County.

DWI Defense

DWI defense can involve challenges to the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, officer observations, video evidence, breath testing, blood warrants and laboratory procedures.

Drug and THC Charges

Drug and THC cases may involve questions about the legality of a vehicle search, consent, probable cause, possession, laboratory identification and the weight attributed to the substance.

Assault Charges

Assault allegations can turn on conflicting accounts, witness credibility, injuries, recordings and what happened immediately before the alleged offense. Early investigation can be particularly important when the parties tell different versions of the same event.

Felony Charges

Felony allegations carry consequences that can extend far beyond the immediate criminal case. The defense should evaluate the evidence, possible constitutional challenges and available resolutions before deciding how the case should proceed.

Talk to a Parker County Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Parker County criminal case should be treated as a Parker County case — not as a generic Texas criminal case with the county name changed at the top of the page.

The courthouse, prosecutors, judges, docket and local practices all form part of the environment in which the case will be handled. Understanding that environment matters when evaluating evidence, negotiating with the State and deciding whether a case should be resolved or fought.

If you have been arrested, charged or believe you are under investigation in Weatherford, Willow Park, Aledo, Springtown, Azle, Hudson Oaks, Annetta, Millsap, Poolville or elsewhere in Parker County, contact our office to discuss your case.

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If you live in Burleson, there is a good chance you are not certain which county you were arrested in. The city sits across the Tarrant and Johnson County line, and which side of that line a traffic stop happened on determines which courthouse you report to, which prosecutors handle the file, and which programs you may be eligible for. It is the first thing we check.

Criminal Defense Across Johnson County

We represent people facing criminal charges throughout Johnson County, including Cleburne, Burleson, Alvarado, Joshua, Keene, Godley, Venus, Rio Vista and Grandview.

Where an arrest happens matters. Even when two arrests involve the same Texas statute and similar facts, the cases can move through different courts, prosecutors and procedures depending on the county in which the alleged offense occurred.

That distinction is particularly important around Burleson, where crossing a city street or traveling a short distance can put you in a different county and a different court system.

Where Johnson County Criminal Cases Are Heard

Johnson County criminal cases are handled through the county court system in Cleburne. The particular court responsible for a case depends on whether the allegation is a misdemeanor or felony and how the case is filed.

After an arrest, a person may also be processed through the Johnson County jail system before release on bond. Where someone is booked, when bond is set and when the case reaches a court can depend on the arresting agency and circumstances of the arrest.

HOLD Verify the Johnson County court structure, courthouse address and any local programs before publishing.

What Happens After an Arrest in Johnson County?

The first hours after an arrest can be confusing. The person may be taken into custody by a city police department, sheriff's deputy, state trooper or another agency, but the criminal case ultimately has to be filed and handled in the appropriate jurisdiction.

Booking. After an arrest, the person is processed into custody. Booking typically involves identification, fingerprints, photographs, property inventory and documentation of the alleged charge.

Magistration and bond. A magistrate advises the arrested person of the accusation and certain rights and addresses bond when appropriate. Conditions may be attached to a person's release depending on the charge.

Court assignment. The case is then assigned to the appropriate court. Once that happens, court settings, discovery, negotiations and any necessary motions become part of the process.

The timeline is not identical in every case. The arresting agency, charge, time of arrest, bond and court schedule can all affect how quickly someone moves from arrest to release and then to the first court setting.

The Burleson County-Line Issue

Burleson presents a problem that defendants in most cities do not have to think about: the city crosses the Johnson and Tarrant County line.

That means saying you were "arrested in Burleson" does not necessarily tell us where your criminal case will be handled.

The important question is where the alleged offense occurred.

A traffic stop on the Johnson County side of Burleson can result in a case proceeding through the Johnson County system in Cleburne. An incident on the Tarrant County side can put the case into the Tarrant County system in Fort Worth.

That distinction can affect more than where you drive for court.

The county determines which prosecutors handle the case, which court receives it and which local procedures apply. It can also affect what diversion programs or alternative resolutions may be available.

This is why one of the first things we determine in a Burleson case is the exact location of the alleged offense.

The arresting agency alone does not always answer the question. A person's home address does not answer it either. What matters is the jurisdiction in which the alleged crime occurred and where the case is actually filed.

If you are unsure, look at the paperwork you received after the arrest, but do not assume you know the county simply because the incident involved Burleson police or because you live on one side of the county line.

We verify where the case belongs before making assumptions about the court, prosecutors or options available to the client.

DWI and Drug Stops on I-35W

I-35W is one of the most significant enforcement corridors running through this part of Johnson County, particularly through Burleson and Alvarado.

A traffic stop may begin with an allegation of speeding, unsafe lane movement, an equipment violation or another traffic offense. From there, an officer may begin a DWI investigation or develop suspicions about drugs or THC products inside the vehicle.

When a traffic stop turns into a criminal case, the beginning of the encounter matters.

The defense can examine why the vehicle was stopped, what the officer observed, how long the detention lasted and whether the officer had a lawful basis for expanding the investigation beyond the original reason for the stop.

If a vehicle was searched, additional questions arise. Did the driver consent? Was the consent voluntary? Did officers claim probable cause? Was the search limited to an appropriate scope? Was the detention extended while officers waited for additional resources?

Those questions can determine whether evidence obtained during the stop can be used in court.

Enforcement Along US-67 and Highway 174

I-35W is not the only major route generating criminal investigations in Johnson County.

US-67 carries traffic through the Cleburne area and across the county, while Highway 174 connects communities including Burleson, Joshua and Cleburne. Traffic enforcement on these roads can lead to DWI arrests, drug investigations and other criminal allegations.

A routine traffic stop does not automatically give police unlimited authority to investigate unrelated crimes. When the reason for a stop has been addressed, continued detention generally requires an appropriate legal basis.

That makes video evidence particularly important. Dash-camera and body-camera footage can show what happened before the stop, what officers said, how long the encounter lasted and what occurred before a search or arrest.

Johnson County DWI Cases

A DWI case can begin with driving behavior an officer claims to have observed on I-35W, US-67, Highway 174 or a local road.

After the stop, the officer may look for signs of intoxication and ask the driver to perform standardized field sobriety tests. Depending on the circumstances, the investigation may also involve a breath test, voluntary blood draw or warrant for a blood specimen.

Each stage can be examined.

The defense may challenge the legal basis for the stop, the administration and interpretation of field sobriety tests, statements attributed to the driver, the procedures used to obtain chemical evidence and the reliability of laboratory testing.

An arrest is the officer's accusation. It is not a finding of guilt.

Drug and THC Charges in Johnson County

Drug and THC cases frequently begin during vehicle stops.

If officers discover a controlled substance, marijuana, THC vape cartridge, edible or concentrate, the resulting charge can depend on what the substance is, how Texas law classifies it and the weight attributed to it.

Possession itself can also be disputed.

When drugs are discovered in a vehicle occupied by several people, physical proximity does not necessarily establish that every person in the vehicle possessed them. The State must prove a connection between the accused person and the contraband.

The legality of the search is a separate issue. Evidence discovered during an unlawful detention or search may be subject to a suppression challenge.

Going to Court in Cleburne

If your Johnson County case requires you to appear in Cleburne, confirm the exact courthouse, courtroom, date and time before leaving.

Do not assume that information from another person's case applies to yours. Different charges can be assigned to different courts, and court assignments can affect where you need to report.

Arrive early enough to park, enter the building, pass through security and locate the correct courtroom. Dress conservatively and bring any documents your lawyer has specifically asked you to bring.

Avoid discussing the facts of your case in courthouse hallways, elevators, parking areas or waiting rooms. Those are public spaces, and conversations with friends, relatives or other defendants are not protected simply because they occur near a courtroom.

HOLD Add the verified courthouse address, parking instructions, security information and any court-specific arrival guidance before publishing.

Charges We Handle in Johnson County

We represent clients facing misdemeanor and felony allegations throughout Johnson County.

DWI Defense

DWI cases can involve challenges to the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, officer observations, video evidence, breath testing, blood warrants and laboratory analysis.

Drug and THC Charges

Drug and THC cases may involve vehicle searches, consent, probable cause, possession disputes, laboratory identification and questions about the weight attributed to a substance.

Assault Charges

Assault cases often depend on competing accounts of what happened. Witness statements, injuries, photographs, recordings and communications between the people involved can become important evidence.

Felony Charges

Felony allegations can carry consequences extending well beyond jail or prison exposure. The defense should evaluate the evidence, constitutional issues and available resolutions before deciding how the case should proceed.

Talk to a Johnson County Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Johnson County criminal case should be approached with an understanding of the county where it will actually be prosecuted.

That is especially important in Burleson. Two incidents occurring only a short distance apart can end up in different counties, different courthouses and in front of different prosecutors.

If you have been arrested or charged in Cleburne, Burleson, Alvarado, Joshua, Keene, Godley, Venus, Rio Vista, Grandview or elsewhere in Johnson County, contact our office to discuss your case.

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