Texas assigns a case by its charge level. Here is the local layout:

• Felonies, from state jail felonies up to capital murder, belong to district courts. This county has seven Criminal District Courts (No. 1 to 7) plus the 194th, 195th, 203rd, 204th, 265th, 282nd, 283rd, 291st, 292nd and 363rd District Courts. There are also Auxiliary Courts 1, 6 and 8, where felony magistrates sit. The District Clerk keeps these files.
• Class A and B misdemeanors land in County Criminal Courts No. 1 through 11. Two County Criminal Courts of Appeals, No. 1 and No. 2, round out the county level. The County Clerk keeps these files.
• Class C offenses carry only a fine. Justice courts and city municipal courts hear them.

Every criminal courtroom listed above sits in the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207. The last stop for any appeal is the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. For felony records, call the District Clerk's criminal division at 214-653-5964.

Almost every criminal office is under one roof at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207. Clerk windows keep weekday hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• District Clerk, felony section: 2nd floor. 214-712-3088; criminal records 214-653-5954.
• County Clerk, criminal courts: 2nd floor, Room A-1. 214-653-7099.
• Criminal District Attorney: mail box LB 19. 214-653-3600.
• Public Defender: 9th floor. 214-653-3550.
• Pretrial Services: Room A9 on the 1st and 2nd floors. 214-875-2302.
• Bail Bond Board: mail to LB-31. 214-653-2756.

Other buildings matter too. The jail is the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 West Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202, with a 24-hour line at 214-761-9025. Youth cases are handled at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, 2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212, 214-698-2200. The Public Defender's family division works in the George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce Street, Suite 465-G, Dallas, TX 75202, 214-653-6153. Federal cases are heard at 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242.

Fine-only Class C cases, such as many traffic and public intoxication tickets, are handled close to home. The top fine is $500 and there is no jail time (Penal Code 12.23). The county has five justice precincts with two courts each:

• Precinct 1, Places 1 and 2: South Dallas Government Center, 8301 S. Polk Street, Dallas, TX 75232. Place 1 972-228-0280; Place 2 972-228-2272.
• Precinct 2, Place 1: 140 N. Garland Avenue, Garland, TX 75040, 214-643-4773.
• Precinct 2, Place 2: Mesquite Government Center, 500 S. Galloway Avenue, Suite P200, Mesquite, TX 75149, 972-285-5429.
• Precinct 3, Places 1 and 2: North Dallas Government Center, 6820 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240. Place 1 214-321-4106; Place 2 214-904-3042.
• Precinct 4, Places 1 and 2: Grand Prairie Government Center, 106 W. Church Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. Place 1 214-751-4040; Place 2 214-589-7000.
• Precinct 5, Place 1: moved from the closed St. Francis site to 9731 Lake June Road, Dallas, TX 75217, 214-943-6980.
• Precinct 5, Place 2: Oak Cliff Government Center, 702 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75203, 214-943-5981.

Each city also has its own municipal court for tickets written inside city limits. Official addresses for some of them:

• Balch Springs: 3117 Hickory Tree Rd, Balch Springs, TX 75180
• Cedar Hill: 285 Uptown Blvd, #200, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
• Coppell: 130 Town Center Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019
• Farmers Branch: 3723 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244
• Garland: 1791 Avenue B, Garland, TX 75042
• Lancaster: 220 W. Main St., Lancaster, TX 75146
• Mesquite: 211 Municipal Way, Mesquite, TX 75149

For any other city's court, check the state's municipal courts by city list or the phone number on the ticket. If paying is hard, the judge can allow installments, community service (credited at $150 per 8 hours) or a waiver. Jail for nonpayment comes only after a hearing (CCP art. 45A.252).

Within 48 hours, the person sees a magistrate at Lew Sterrett (CCP art. 15.17). That official reads the accusation and lists the person's rights: silence, a lawyer, ending any interview, and an examining trial on a felony. The person also hears that their words may be used as evidence. Bail is set, and any request for a free lawyer is taken.

Next, the prosecutor decides what to file. The Criminal District Attorney's felony intake line is 214-653-3848. The misdemeanor division answers at 214-653-3700.

• On a felony, a person may ask for an examining trial, a probable cause hearing held before indictment (CCP art. 16.01). Use the request form on the felony courts' site.
• Arraignment is where the person's identity is confirmed and a plea is entered. It is required for felonies after indictment and for misdemeanors that carry jail time (CCP art. 26.01). A lawyer can waive it in writing.
• After that come pretrial settings. Lawyers trade evidence, file motions and may negotiate.

When a magistrate finds no probable cause, written findings must follow, and a 2025 law gives 24 hours for that (CCP art. 15.17(h)).

A misdemeanor is filed by an "information," a charging paper from the prosecutor, and lands in one of the eleven County Criminal Courts. The usual path is arraignment, then one or more pretrial settings, then a plea or a trial. The level of the charge, not its name, sets the range:

• Class A (Penal Code 12.21): jail of up to a year, a fine of up to $4,000, or the two together.
• Class B (Penal Code 12.22): jail of up to 180 days, a fine of up to $2,000, or the two together.
• Class C (Penal Code 12.23): a fine capped at $500, with no jail.

Two outcomes avoid a conviction or jail. Deferred adjudication lets the judge hold off on a guilty finding for up to two years (CCP art. 42A.103). Finish it, and the judge dismisses the case (CCP art. 42A.111). Community supervision, often called probation, can also run up to two years (CCP art. 42A.053). The misdemeanor courts' probation line is 214-653-5370.

With a plea bargain, the judge must announce in open court whether to accept it. If the deal is rejected, the person may then take back the plea (CCP art. 26.13).

A felony case here follows a set order:

1. Magistrate and bail at Lew Sterrett.
2. Examining trial, if the defense asks for one before indictment.
3. Grand jury. Its work is secret. An indictment needs votes from at least nine grand jurors (CCP art. 20A.301).
4. Arraignment, held by the assigned district court.
5. Pretrial hearings on motions, evidence and any offer.
6. Plea or trial, followed by sentencing.

Penalty ranges come from Penal Code chapter 12:

• State jail felony: 6 months to 2 years in a state jail facility.
• Third-degree felony: prison for 2 to 10 years.
• Second-degree felony: prison for 2 to 20 years.
• First-degree felony: prison for 5 to 99 years, or life.
• Capital felony: death or life without parole; a person under 18 at the time gets life.
• Each level except capital also allows a fine of up to $10,000.

Earlier convictions can push a case into a higher range (Penal Code 12.42). Some state jail felonies can be sentenced at the Class A level (Penal Code 12.44). Deferred adjudication and probation can each last up to ten years on a felony. Adult probation (the county's Community Supervision and Corrections Department) works from 1300 W. Mockingbird Lane, 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75247, 214-653-5300.

Serious violent charges bring tighter rules at every stage:

• Bail. Most violent offenses make a personal bond impossible (CCP art. 17.03). Proposition 3 (2025) went further. It covers murder, several aggravated crimes, indecency with a child and trafficking. Once the prosecutor proves the need in such a case, a judge has to refuse bail (Tex. Const. art. I, sec. 11d).
• State appeal. The state may appeal a too-low bail in listed violent cases. A ruling is due within 20 days; meanwhile the defendant remains in custody (CCP art. 44.01).
• After a plea. A 2025 law keeps some people in custody from a guilty plea until sentencing on certain serious felonies (CCP art. 27.20).
• Deferred adjudication. It isn't available for most murder charges, some intoxication cases, certain trafficking cases and repeat sex offenses (CCP art. 42A.102).
• Family violence. A magistrate can sign an emergency protective order at the first appearance (CCP art. 17.292). It lasts 61 to 91 days. Cases with a weapon or serious injury get a longer order.

The Criminal District Attorney's family violence division takes calls at 214-653-3605.

The Criminal District Attorney handles felony and misdemeanor prosecutions alike. Its office is in the Frank Crowley Courts Building, LB 19, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207, 214-653-3600. Its juvenile section works from 2600 Lone Star Drive, 2nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75212, 214-698-2285.

For defense, the county Public Defender's Office gets priority when lawyers are appointed. It sits on the 9th floor at 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207, 214-653-3550. Juvenile defenders are at 2600 Lone Star Drive, Suite A-132, Dallas, TX 75212, 214-698-4400.

• A free lawyer is requested at the magistrate hearing on a sworn money form (CCP art. 15.17).
• The felony plan covers people earning 150% of the poverty guideline or less who own $15,000 or less.
• It also covers anyone on SNAP, Medicaid, public housing, SSI or TANF.
• Someone already out on a felony can request a lawyer in Room A14 on the 5th floor of Frank Crowley, at the Criminal District Court Manager's Office.
• Once appointed, the lawyer must try to reach the client before the next working day ends (CCP art. 26.04).

The county's appointment rules are posted in the Texas Indigent Defense Commission plan library.

Three free tools cover most needs:

• County court portal. Search cases by name or number. Misdemeanor documents from 2011 forward can be viewed here.
• District Clerk case information. It shows the charge, the outcome and the case history.
• Criminal background search on the same portal.

The statewide re:SearchTX site needs a free account. It shows charging papers and judgments, but hearing dates come from the county. DPS also runs a paid conviction name search.

To confirm a date, call the clerk. Felony records: 214-653-5954. Misdemeanor courts: 214-653-7099. Spell out the name and birth date for the clerk.

Sheriff's deputies, the five constables' offices and city police all serve warrants. Call the Sheriff's warrant line at 214-761-9026 or the Warrants Section at 214-653-2700. Online, try the county's wanted person search, the city police warrant page (automated line 214-670-0109) and the DPS Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitive page. A defense attorney can set up a voluntary surrender with the judge who signed it; that court may also give a new date over the phone. Felony warrant records sit with the District Clerk: 2nd floor, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207, 214-712-3088.

Federal prosecutions from here are filed in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The clerk works at 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1452, Dallas, TX 75242, in the Earle Cabell Federal Building, 214-753-2200.

• Prosecutor: the U.S. Attorney, 1100 Commerce Street, 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75242, 214-659-8600.
• Defense: the Federal Public Defender, 525 South Griffin Street, Suite 629, Dallas, TX 75202, 214-767-2746.
• Release: a detention hearing settles whether the defendant goes home before trial (18 U.S.C. 3142).
• Custody: the U.S. Marshals Service keeps federal prisoners before trial. Its office is Room 1657, 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242, 214-767-0836.
• After sentencing: the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator shows where a sentenced person is.

Yes, in a few ways. First, the hold itself:

1. ICE sends a detainer (Form I-247A).
2. Lew Sterrett can keep the person up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)), even with the state bond paid.
3. Texas makes the jail comply; showing proof of citizenship or lawful status is the way out (CCP art. 2A.060).
4. ICE agents pick the person up. The Dallas ERO field office is at 8101 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247, 972-367-2200.
5. To find someone afterward, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator.

Second, the court case. A non-citizen who pleads guilty or no contest first gets a deportation warning, both spoken and written (CCP art. 26.13). Talk to a defense lawyer about immigration effects before any plea. Certain appointed magistrates may not release someone with a detainer (CCP art. 17.027). In addition, local governments are barred from limiting immigration enforcement (Gov't Code 752.053). Every Texas county with a jail must, under a 2025 law, apply by December 1, 2026 for a 287(g) partnership with ICE. The Sheriff's Office can speak to local status.

County jail is where misdemeanor time is spent. Felony time belongs to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, served either to a state jail or to prison, depending on the level.

After sentencing, the person usually waits at Lew Sterrett until TDCJ moves them to an intake unit. There they are assessed and then assigned to a unit suited to their custody level.

• The TDCJ inmate search finds people by last name plus a first initial, TDCJ number or SID number. Last names must match exactly, and results are a day old or more.
• Our Texas state prisons page describes each unit and its rules.

Juvenile court in Texas covers children who were 10 through 16 when the offense happened. A person 17 or older at the time faces adult court instead (Family Code 51.02).

• Where they are held: the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center inside the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, 2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212. Central Control: 214-698-4212.
• Detention hearing: the county holds it within 48 hours, after a lawyer is named. Family Code 54.01 allows up to two working days.
• Review: the judge must look at detention again at least every ten working days.
• Adult court: after a full hearing, a judge can send some cases to adult court. This applies at 14 for the gravest felonies and at 15 for other felonies (Family Code 54.02).
• Probation: the Juvenile Department intake screening line is 214-698-4313.

Both sides have juvenile teams on that campus. The prosecutor's juvenile section is on the 2nd floor, 2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212, 214-698-2285. Juvenile public defenders are in Suite A-132 at the same address, 214-698-4400.

Texas gives victims a set of rights (CCP art. 56A.051). Victims can ask for notice of hearings and ask the magistrate to weigh their safety at bail. They may also give an impact statement that the judge considers.

• Victim/witness help at the Criminal District Attorney: 214-653-5895.
• Protective orders through the same office: 214-653-3528.
• Adult probation's victim services: 214-653-5330.
• Free 24-hour custody alerts come from Texas IVSS-Counties, 866-268-8959.
• Money for medical bills, counseling and lost wages, up to $50,000, from the Attorney General's Crime Victims' Compensation program, 800-983-9933.

The prosecutor's office is at LB 19, 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207. Probation is at 1300 W. Mockingbird Lane, 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75247.

Yes, several, mostly through adult probation. Felony programs include:

• AIM, for people ages 17 to 24;
• ATLAS, for people with mental illness;
• DIVERT, for first-time, nonviolent drug cases, with dismissal after completion;
• Felony DWI Court and a Felony Domestic Violence Court;
• a Veterans Treatment Court;
• other programs called DDCA, IIP, SAFPF 4C, SET, STAC and STAR.

Misdemeanor cases have a DWI Court and a Mental Health Court. Ask the defense lawyer whether the person fits. Program questions go to probation at 1300 W. Mockingbird Lane, 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75247, 214-653-5300.

The Criminal District Attorney also runs pretrial diversion through its Restorative Justice Division, 214-914-1228. Statewide, Texas lists its registered specialty courts; programs usually last 12 to 24 months.