Tarrant County Belknap Facility Criminal Court Process

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Tarrant County

Criminal Court Process for Tarrant County Texas

Fort Worth is the county seat of Tarrant County, and Arlington, the county's second-largest city, sits about 15 miles to the east; together with more than thirty smaller suburbs they send every arrest into a single county justice system headquartered on West Belknap Street downtown. Fine-only Class C offenses are heard by eight justice of the peace precincts and by the municipal courts each city runs, Class A and B misdemeanors go to County Criminal Courts No. 1 through No. 10, and felonies are tried in eleven district courts that handle criminal cases only: Criminal District Courts No. 1 through No. 4 plus the 213th, 297th, 371st, 372nd, 396th, 432nd and 485th District Courts. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney prosecutes both felonies and misdemeanors, and lawyers for people who cannot afford one are appointed through the county's Office of Attorney Appointments. Adults arrested anywhere in the county are booked by the Sheriff's Office at the Tarrant County Corrections Center on North Lamar Street, one of five buildings that make up the county jail.

  • Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center (felony and misdemeanor courts, District Attorney), 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196; criminal court support (817) 212-6957
  • Tarrant County District Clerk (felony case records), Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-1574
  • Tarrant County Clerk (misdemeanor case records), Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-1195
  • Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney, Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-1400
  • Office of Attorney Appointments (court-appointed lawyers), 401 W. Belknap St., 5th Floor, Room 5043, Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-2370
  • Central Magistration (817) 884-1936; Magistrates Courts (817) 884-2998
  • Tarrant County Corrections Center (Sheriff's Office booking and intake), 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-3000
  • Tarrant County Sheriff's Office (administration), (817) 884-3099
  • Tarrant County Juvenile Services and the 323rd District Court, Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center, 2701 Kimbo Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76111, (817) 838-4600

Which court hears your case. Class C misdemeanors, the offenses punishable by a fine alone (most traffic tickets, public intoxication, theft of something worth under $100, a simple assault that caused no injury, minor in possession), are filed in the Justice of the Peace court for the precinct where the offense occurred, or in a city's municipal court when a police officer from that city issued the citation within its limits. Class A and B misdemeanors, including a first DWI, possession of a small amount of marijuana, theft from $100 up to $2,500 and assault causing bodily injury, are assigned to one of the ten County Criminal Courts (County Criminal Court No. 1 through County Criminal Court No. 10), statutory county courts that sit at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center; the County Judge's constitutional court does not try criminal cases here. A felony begins with warnings from a magistrate at the jail and, once a grand jury hands up an indictment, is assigned to one of the eleven felony courts: Criminal District Courts No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the 213th, 297th, 371st, 372nd, 396th, 432nd and 485th Judicial District Courts, each of which serves Tarrant County alone and hears criminal matters only.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office runs a jail system of five facilities with room for roughly 5,000 people, and it books about 35,000 arrestees a year. Everyone is received, photographed and fingerprinted at the Corrections Center at 100 N. Lamar St., then housed there or moved to Lon Evans Corrections Center, the Belknap facility, Green Bay Jail or Cold Springs Jail depending on classification. Fort Worth police, Arlington police, suburban departments, DPS troopers and constables all bring adult arrestees here, although some city departments hold a person for a few hours in their own lockup first. Magistrates review each case, set bail and take requests for appointed counsel. For custody status, property or visits, call the jail at (817) 884-3000.

Local courts in Tarrant County (justice of the peace, municipal and county courts)

Tarrant County has eight justice of the peace precincts, each with one elected justice; Precinct 3 in the northeast keeps two offices, one in Hurst and one in Southlake. Justice courts take Class C cases written by deputy sheriffs, constables, DPS troopers and other agencies working outside a city's own police force, along with evictions, small claims and debt cases. Justices also sign arrest and search warrants and can act as magistrates. Because most of the county is incorporated, though, the bulk of fine-only offenses are filed by city officers in a municipal court. Fort Worth and Arlington run large, full-time courts, and nearly every suburb operates its own, a few of them shared between neighboring towns.

Justice of the Peace courts

  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, 1895 Courthouse, 100 W. Weatherford St., Room 450, Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-1395
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Southeast Subcourthouse, 700 E. Abram St., Suite 200, Arlington, TX 76010, (817) 548-3925
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (Hurst office), Northeast Courthouse, 645 Grapevine Hwy., Suite 220, Hurst, TX 76054, (817) 581-3625
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 (Southlake office), Southlake Town Hall, 1400 Main St., Suite 220, Southlake, TX 76092, (682) 732-6589
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Northwest Subcourthouse, 6713 Telephone Rd., Suite 201, Lake Worth, TX 76135, (817) 238-4425
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Tarrant County Criminal Justice Annex, 350 W. Belknap St., 1st Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102, (817) 884-1438
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, Southwest Subcourthouse, 6551 Granbury Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76133, (817) 370-4525
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 7, Mansfield Subcourthouse, 1100 E. Broad St., Suite 202, Mansfield, TX 76063, (817) 473-5101
  • Justice of the Peace, Precinct 8, Poly Subcourthouse, 3500 Miller Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76119, (817) 531-5625

Municipal courts in Tarrant County

  • Arlington Municipal Court, 101 S. Mesquite St., Arlington, TX 76010 (mail: P.O. Box 90403, Arlington, TX 76004), (817) 459-6777
  • Azle Municipal Court, 613 SE Parkway, Azle, TX 76020, (817) 444-2541
  • Bedford Municipal Court, 2000 Forest Ridge Dr., Building A, Bedford, TX 76021, (817) 952-2150
  • Benbrook Municipal Court, 911 Winscott Rd., Benbrook, TX 76126, (817) 249-3000, ext. 6131
  • Blue Mound Municipal Court, 301 S. Blue Mound Rd., Blue Mound, TX 76131, (817) 232-7097
  • Colleyville Municipal Court (court directories list it as the Colleyville/Keller Municipal Court), Colleyville Justice Center, 5201 Riverwalk Dr., Colleyville, TX 76034, (817) 503-1300
  • Crowley Municipal Court, 201 E. Main St., Crowley, TX 76036, (817) 297-2201, ext. 1290
  • Dalworthington Gardens Municipal Court, 2600 Roosevelt Dr., Dalworthington Gardens, TX 76016, (817) 274-7662
  • Edgecliff Village Municipal Court, 1605 Edgecliff Rd., Edgecliff Village, TX 76134, (817) 293-4313
  • Euless Municipal Court, 1102 W. Euless Blvd., Euless, TX 76040, (817) 685-1460
  • Everman Municipal Court, 212 N. Race St., Everman, TX 76140, (817) 293-0588
  • Forest Hill Municipal Court, 3219 California Pkwy. E., Forest Hill, TX 76119, (817) 568-3046
  • Fort Worth Municipal Court (main courthouse), 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102, (817) 392-6700
  • Fort Worth Municipal Court, southwest location, 3741 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133, (817) 392-6700
  • Grand Prairie Municipal Court, 200 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050, (972) 237-8663 (the city straddles the Dallas County line, and its court building is on the Dallas County side)
  • Grapevine Municipal Court, 307 W. Dallas Rd., Grapevine, TX 76051 (mail: P.O. Box 2413, Grapevine, TX 76099), (817) 410-3284
  • Haltom City Municipal Court, 5024 Broadway Ave., Haltom City, TX 76117, (817) 222-7773
  • Haslet Municipal Court, City Hall, 101 Main St., Haslet, TX 76052, (817) 439-5931, ext. 108
  • Hurst Municipal Court, Hurst Justice Center, 825-B Thousand Oaks Dr., Hurst, TX 76054, (817) 788-7045
  • Kennedale Municipal Court, 405 Municipal Dr., Kennedale, TX 76060, (817) 985-2140
  • Lake Worth Municipal Court, 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth, TX 76135, (817) 255-7910
  • Lakeside Municipal Court, 9830 Confederate Park Rd., Lakeside, TX 76108, (817) 237-1234
  • Mansfield Municipal Court, Public Safety Building, 1305 E. Broad St., Mansfield, TX 76063, (817) 276-4716
  • North Richland Hills Municipal Court, 4301 City Point Dr., North Richland Hills, TX 76180, (817) 427-6700
  • Pantego Municipal Court, 2600 Miller Ln., Pantego, TX 76013, (817) 617-3733
  • Pelican Bay Municipal Court, 1300 Pelican Cir., Pelican Bay, TX 76020, (817) 444-1234
  • Richland Hills Municipal Court, 3200 Diana Dr., Richland Hills, TX 76118, (817) 616-3825
  • River Oaks Municipal Court, 4900 River Oaks Blvd., River Oaks, TX 76114, (817) 626-5421
  • Saginaw Municipal Court, 333 W. McLeroy Blvd., Saginaw, TX 76179, (817) 232-4640
  • Sansom Park Municipal Court, 5705 Azle Ave., Sansom Park, TX 76114, (817) 626-3791, ext. 100
  • Southlake Municipal Court, 600 State St., Suite 1000, Southlake, TX 76092, (817) 748-8188
  • Watauga Municipal Court, 7105 Whitley Rd., Watauga, TX 76148, (817) 514-5715
  • Westlake Municipal Court, 1301 Solana Blvd., Building 4, Suite 4207, Westlake, TX 76262, (817) 430-0861
  • Westworth Village Municipal Court (also hears Westover Hills cases), 311 Burton Hill Rd., Westworth Village, TX 76114, (817) 710-2507
  • White Settlement Municipal Court, 214 Meadow Park Dr., White Settlement, TX 76108, (817) 246-4971

A handful of cities reach into Tarrant County from a neighboring county. Burleson's court is in Johnson County, while Trophy Club and Roanoke file their cases in Denton County; a citation from the Tarrant County side of one of those cities still goes to that city's own court. Check the court name printed on the ticket before you travel.

The ten County Criminal Courts (Class A and B misdemeanors)

All ten sit at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196.

Felony courts

Also at 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196.

Appeals from a justice court or a municipal court that is not a court of record are heard again from the beginning in a County Criminal Court. Fort Worth and Arlington operate municipal courts of record, so an appeal from either goes up on the written record rather than as a new trial. Misdemeanor and felony appeals from the county and district courts go to the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth and, above it, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin.

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The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and the subcourthouses

Almost every adult criminal case in Tarrant County is heard in one building: the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center at 401 W. Belknap St., named for the county's longtime district attorney. Its upper floors hold the eleven felony courtrooms and the ten County Criminal Courts, while the Criminal District Attorney, the District Clerk's criminal records, the County Clerk's misdemeanor records and the Office of Attorney Appointments occupy other floors. Public hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Expect a security screening line at the entrance on busy docket mornings, and leave knives, tools and anything that looks like a weapon at home.

The surrounding block is the county's criminal justice campus. The older Criminal Courts Building (300 W. Belknap) and Criminal Justice Building (200 W. Belknap) house support offices, and the Criminal Justice Annex at 350 W. Belknap holds the Precinct 5 justice court. The Tarrant County Corrections Center, where every arrestee is booked, is a short walk away at 100 N. Lamar St., and the 1895 Courthouse, home to the Precinct 1 justice court, anchors the north end of downtown at 100 W. Weatherford St. Civil cases, including protective orders filed in family court, are heard elsewhere: the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building at 100 N. Calhoun St. and the family courts.

Subcourthouses

Justice courts and some county services are spread across the county so residents do not have to drive downtown for a traffic ticket. The Southeast Subcourthouse in Arlington (700 E. Abram St.), the Northeast Courthouse in Hurst (645 Grapevine Hwy.), the Northwest Subcourthouse in Lake Worth (6713 Telephone Rd.), the Southwest Subcourthouse in Fort Worth (6551 Granbury Rd.), the Mansfield Subcourthouse (1100 E. Broad St.) and the Poly Subcourthouse on Miller Avenue each house a justice of the peace. Misdemeanor and felony cases, however, are not heard at the subcourthouses; if your paperwork lists a County Criminal Court or a district court, you will appear on Belknap Street.

Finding your court date

The county posts daily criminal dockets and offers a court-date lookup by name or case number. Bond paperwork and jail release papers usually list the court and first setting. If you are unsure which courtroom has your case, call the District Clerk at (817) 884-1574 for a felony or the County Clerk at (817) 884-1195 for a misdemeanor, and have your date of birth ready. Missing a setting usually leads to a warrant and can forfeit any bond that was posted.

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After an arrest: booking, magistration and release

Booking at the Corrections Center

An officer who makes an arrest in Tarrant County, whether a Fort Worth patrol officer, an Arlington detective, a suburban officer or a deputy, brings the person to the Tarrant County Corrections Center at 100 N. Lamar St., where the Sheriff's Office handles all intake for the county. Booking includes a search, property inventory, photographs, fingerprints, an iris scan, a warrant check, medical and mental health screening, and classification. Officers file a probable cause affidavit describing why the arrest was made. Depending on the jail's volume, booking can take from a few hours to most of a day.

Central magistration

Texas law requires that every arrested person be taken before a magistrate within 48 hours of arrest. Tarrant County handles this through Central Magistration at the jail, where magistrate judges conduct hearings around the clock, usually by video from a room inside the jail. The magistrate reads the charges, explains the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, reviews the probable cause affidavit, and decides on release conditions and the amount of any bail. Under the 2021 Damon Allen Act, the magistrate first reviews a public safety report that lists the person's criminal history, pending cases and any prior failures to appear. People charged with certain violent offenses are not eligible for a personal bond, and only a magistrate who has completed state training may set bail in those cases. Texas voters approved a 2025 constitutional amendment that lets judges deny bail in some violent-crime cases, so release is no longer guaranteed for every serious charge.

Asking for a lawyer

At magistration, tell the magistrate that you want a court-appointed lawyer. Staff from the Office of Attorney Appointments interview people who ask, enter their income and household information into a sworn affidavit, and a calculator applies the county's indigence standard (generally household income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, with limits on liquid assets). Anyone who bonds out before the interview can complete the affidavit online or at the first court setting. Requests are usually reviewed within one business day. Call the Office of Attorney Appointments at (817) 884-2370 with questions.

Ways to get out

  • Cash bond: the full amount is posted with the Sheriff and returned, less fees, when the case ends, as long as every court date is kept.
  • Surety bond: a licensed bondsman approved by the county bail bond board posts the bond for a nonrefundable premium, often around 10 to 15 percent, and may require collateral or a co-signer.
  • Personal bond: release on a written promise to appear, often with conditions such as reporting to pretrial services, drug testing, an ignition interlock or a GPS monitor. A small fee is usually charged.
  • Attorney bond: in Texas, a defense lawyer may post a bond for a client in some cases.

Common conditions in family violence cases include a magistrate's order of emergency protection that bars contact with the alleged victim and keeps the defendant away from the home for a set period, even if the alleged victim objects.

If no bond is posted

A person who cannot make bail stays in jail while the case moves forward. Texas's 90-day rule requires release on a personal bond or a reduced bail if the State is not ready for trial within 90 days on a felony (with shorter limits for misdemeanors), although people charged with violent offenses can be excluded. A defense lawyer can also ask the assigned court for a bond reduction hearing. Many misdemeanor defendants who stay in custody are offered a plea at their first court setting, sometimes for time already served; it is worth talking with a lawyer before accepting, because a conviction carries consequences beyond the sentence.

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The Tarrant County Jail and its five facilities

The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office Detention Bureau operates one of the largest county jails in Texas, about 5,000 beds spread across five buildings. Intake and booking happen at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-3000. From there, people are assigned to housing based on charge, criminal history, behavior, medical needs and gender.

  • Lon Evans Corrections Center, a five-story, maximum-security building opened in 2012 next to the Corrections Center downtown (county building lists give 600 W. Weatherford St.). The kitchen that feeds the entire jail system is here.
  • Belknap facility, part of the Belknap Street criminal justice complex downtown.
  • Green Bay Jail, 2500 Urban Dr., Fort Worth, TX, on the city's north side.
  • Cold Springs Jail and Work Detail, 1815 Cold Springs Rd., Fort Worth, TX, which also serves as the base for inmate work details.

Because housing assignments change, use the Sheriff's online inmate search or call (817) 884-3000 before visiting or sending anything. The inmate search shows the facility, charges, bond amounts and the court assigned to each charge. Visits are generally conducted by video, and they must be scheduled in advance under the Sheriff's rules. Money for commissary and phone accounts can be deposited through the jail's approved vendors; do not send cash or personal checks by mail.

Health, safety and complaints

The jail screens everyone at booking for medical conditions, suicide risk and withdrawal. Families with urgent medical or mental health concerns should call the jail and say so clearly, and a defense lawyer can ask the court to order an evaluation. Complaints that the county does not resolve can be sent to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the state agency that inspects every county jail.

City jails

A few larger cities in the county keep short-term holding facilities, and people arrested by those departments may spend several hours there before transfer. Anyone who is not released at the city level ends up in the county system downtown.

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Court-appointed lawyers and the Office of Attorney Appointments

Tarrant County is unusual among big Texas counties: rather than relying on a large, full-service public defender office like the ones in Dallas, Harris or Bexar counties, it has long relied mainly on private defense lawyers appointed and paid by the county. That system is run under separate felony and misdemeanor indigent defense plans adopted by the criminal judges and filed with the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. The Office of Attorney Appointments, on the fifth floor of the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, carries out the plans: it screens defendants for indigence, keeps the lists of lawyers qualified for each level of case, and makes the appointments. The county has studied and debated adding public defender capacity, so ask at magistration or call the office for the arrangement that applies to your case today.

How to request one

  1. Ask for a lawyer when you see the magistrate at the jail.
  2. Answer the screening questions from Office of Attorney Appointments staff truthfully; the information goes into a sworn affidavit of indigence.
  3. If you are released on bond first, submit the affidavit online or bring it to your first court date. Being out on bail does not by itself disqualify you.
  4. If your finances change, or you planned to hire a lawyer and could not, tell the court so the office can update your affidavit.

Office of Attorney Appointments: 401 W. Belknap St., 5th Floor, Room 5043, Fort Worth, TX 76196, (817) 884-2370.

Who gets appointed

Lawyers must apply and meet experience and training requirements for each tier, from misdemeanors up to first-degree felonies. Capital murder cases in which the State seeks death are handled by lawyers on the statewide list for the Eighth Administrative Judicial Region. Appointed counsel usually meets the client at the jail or by phone before the first setting; if days pass without contact, call the court coordinator for the assigned court. An appointed lawyer handles the case through trial or plea, and the court can appoint a separate lawyer for an appeal.

If you can pay

People who do not qualify can hire any licensed Texas lawyer. A court can still find someone indigent later and order repayment of some appointment costs at the end of the case if they are able to pay.

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District Attorney diversion programs

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office offers several pretrial diversion tracks that let an eligible defendant avoid a conviction. In most of them, the person signs an agreement, completes classes, community service, counseling or drug testing under supervision, and pays program fees; when the program is completed, the State dismisses the charge, and the arrest can often be expunged later. Applications typically must be filed within 60 days after the case is filed, and the county states that late applications are not accepted. Most programs expect the applicant to have a lawyer, and an appointed lawyer can file the application. Eligibility is decided by prosecutors, not the judge, and a long criminal history, a violent charge or certain victim objections can rule a person out.

Programs offered

  • Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP): for first-time offenders charged with lower-level offenses such as shoplifting or small-quantity drug possession. Successful completion leads to dismissal.
  • Felony Alcohol Intervention Program (FAIP): a supervised program for repeat DWI offenders charged with a felony; it operates through a plea and lengthy community supervision rather than a dismissal, and it carries the same 60-day application deadline.
  • Veterans diversion: for current service members and veterans, including the Reserves, National Guard and State Guard, with judicially supervised treatment that addresses service-related conditions.
  • Mental health diversion: a pretrial track for defendants whose offense is linked to a serious mental illness, with treatment supervised by the court.
  • RISE (Reaching Independence through Self-Empowerment): a program for people charged with prostitution offenses that connects them with trauma services, housing help and recovery support.
  • Programs for young adults: local practice includes diversion tracks for young first-time defendants charged with simple assault, with counseling and case management.

DWI cases

First-offense DWI defendants are sometimes eligible for a misdemeanor DWI pretrial program or for deferred adjudication; a 2019 change in Texas law allows deferred adjudication for a first DWI in some cases, though not for a commercial driver or a BAC of 0.15 or more. Ignition interlock, alcohol education and a victim impact panel are standard conditions. Ask your lawyer which option the prosecutor will consider before your first setting, because the deadlines are short.

Being placed in a diversion program does not depend on posting bail; people in jail can apply through their lawyer, and acceptance may lead to release on conditions.

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Specialty and treatment courts

Separate from prosecutor-run diversion, the criminal judges and the Tarrant County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (adult probation) run specialty dockets in which a judge supervises treatment directly. Participants appear in court regularly, sometimes every week or two at first, and earn rewards for progress or face sanctions such as short jail stays for violations. Most of these dockets are tied to probation or a plea, so a participant typically gives up the right to a trial in exchange for treatment and a possible reduced outcome.

  • DIRECT drug court: a felony probation program for defendants whose criminal conduct is driven by substance use. Completion can lead to an early end of supervision or a dismissal under deferred adjudication.
  • Felony DWI court (FAIP): intensive supervision with alcohol monitoring and treatment for repeat drunk drivers.
  • Misdemeanor DWI court: a post-plea docket for repeat misdemeanor DWI offenders, often with jail time as a condition of probation and some fees reduced.
  • Veterans treatment court: a docket in which the VA and volunteer veteran mentors work with the judge on services.
  • Mental health court and mental health diversion: supervision with psychiatric treatment and case management for people with serious mental illness.
  • SWIFT (Supervision With Intensive enForcemenT): a high-intensity probation docket that responds to violations quickly with short, certain sanctions.
  • RISE: a court-supervised program for people charged with prostitution and for those who have been commercially sexually exploited.

Ask your lawyer about eligibility early, because referrals generally need to be made before a plea is entered, and some programs have waiting lists. Failing out of a specialty docket usually means the original sentence or a revocation hearing. People released on bond may be referred while the case is pending; others enter after sentencing as a condition of probation.

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Misdemeanor (for example, theft, a first DWI, assault causing bodily injury, criminal trespass)

Classes and penalties

Texas sorts misdemeanors into three classes. A Class C offense is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and no jail; in Tarrant County it goes to a justice of the peace or a city court. A Class B offense carries up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. A Class A offense carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Class A and B cases are filed by the Criminal District Attorney in one of the ten County Criminal Courts on Belknap Street.

  • Theft: under $100 is Class C; $100 to $750 is Class B; $750 to $2,500 is Class A. Prior theft convictions can raise the level.
  • First DWI: Class B, carrying from 72 hours up to 180 days in jail, though probation is common, plus a fine as high as $3,000; a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.15 or more makes it Class A, and an open container in the vehicle raises the minimum jail time to six days. A separate administrative license revocation by DPS follows an arrest, and you have only a short window after arrest to request a hearing.
  • Assault causing bodily injury: Class A; a case involving a family member, household member or dating partner carries a family violence finding that affects gun rights and future charges.
  • Criminal trespass: Class B in most cases, Class A if it involves a home or a deadly weapon.

The path of a misdemeanor case

After magistration, the person is released on bail or stays in the Tarrant County Corrections Center system. The arresting agency sends the case to the Criminal District Attorney, whose misdemeanor division decides whether to file an information. Once filed, the case is assigned to a County Criminal Court, and the first setting is often within a few weeks. At the early settings, the defense reviews the evidence, including body-camera and dash-camera video, and the prosecutor makes a plea offer. Many cases settle after two to four settings; a contested case can be set for a bench trial before the judge or a jury trial with six jurors who must agree unanimously.

Common outcomes

  • Dismissal, sometimes after completing a diversion program or paying restitution.
  • Deferred adjudication: a guilty or no-contest plea with community supervision; if completed, the case is dismissed without a conviction, and the person may later ask for an order of nondisclosure.
  • Conviction with probation, which can include classes, community service and fees.
  • Conviction with a fine or jail time, often with credit for days already served.

A typical Class A or B case in Tarrant County takes two to six months. Defendants who cannot afford a lawyer should ask for one at magistration or call the Office of Attorney Appointments at (817) 884-2370. Class C cases in justice and municipal courts often close in a few weeks with a fine, deferred disposition or a driving safety course.

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Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession or delivery, aggravated assault)

Penalty ranges

  • State jail felony: 180 days to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Theft of $2,500 to $30,000 and possession of less than one gram of most Penalty Group 1 drugs, such as methamphetamine or cocaine, usually fall here.
  • Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000.
  • Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years and up to $10,000. Most aggravated assaults, along with burglary of a home, fall in this range.
  • First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years or life and up to $10,000, including large-quantity drug delivery.

Prior felony convictions can push a case into a higher range, and two prior sequential prison terms can make a person a habitual offender facing 25 years to life. Drug cases depend on the penalty group and the weight, including any mixture; fentanyl cases carry their own heavier thresholds under recent state law.

From arrest to indictment

A felony case starts with magistration at the jail, where conditions and the amount of bail are set and a lawyer can be requested. The arresting agency files the case with the Criminal District Attorney, whose intake prosecutors decide whether to present it to a Tarrant County grand jury. A grand jury of twelve citizens meets in secret; an indictment needs the votes of at least nine of them. A felony must be indicted unless the defendant waives indictment and agrees to proceed by information, which sometimes happens in plea agreements. If the grand jury declines to indict (a "no-bill"), the case ends, although prosecutors can present it again with new evidence. A person held in the Tarrant County Corrections Center system on a felony should usually expect indictment within a few weeks to a few months.

In the district court

After indictment, the case is assigned to one of the eleven felony courts at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. The defendant is arraigned or waives arraignment, and the defense receives discovery under the Michael Morton Act, which requires prosecutors to share police reports, witness statements and evidence. Most cases go through several settings while the lawyers negotiate. A plea agreement may involve deferred adjudication, probation, a state jail sentence or a prison term. If there is no agreement, the case is tried before twelve jurors who must agree unanimously. A defendant may choose to have the jury, rather than the judge, decide the sentence, and that election must be made before trial.

Outcomes and timing

Deferred adjudication is available for many first-time felony defendants, though not for certain offenses. Probation (community supervision) can last up to 10 years for a felony. A prison sentence is served in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; parole eligibility for most offenses arrives after about one-quarter of the sentence counting good time, while "3g" offenses such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon require serving half, with a minimum of two years. A typical felony case in Tarrant County takes six to eighteen months from arrest to resolution. Defendants who need a lawyer should call the Office of Attorney Appointments at (817) 884-2370.

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Violent felony (for example, murder, sexual assault, aggravated robbery)

Charges and punishment

  • Capital murder: punishable by death or life without parole. Tarrant County prosecutors have sought the death penalty in a number of cases over the years, and Texas carries out more executions than any other state. A capital case in which death is sought requires two specially qualified defense lawyers.
  • Murder: first degree, punishable by anywhere from 5 to 99 years or by life. A defendant may argue at sentencing that the killing happened in sudden passion arising from adequate cause, which reduces the range to that of a second-degree felony.
  • Aggravated robbery: a first-degree felony and a "3g" offense.
  • Sexual assault: a second-degree felony; aggravated sexual assault is first-degree, with a 25-year minimum when the victim is under 6, or under 14 with certain aggravating factors.

Bail and pretrial custody

For these charges, the magistrate typically sets high bail or, after the 2025 constitutional amendment, may consider denying bail in qualifying cases following a hearing. Personal bonds are barred for violent offenses under the Damon Allen Act. A person who cannot post bond remains in the Tarrant County jail system, often at the maximum-security Lon Evans Corrections Center, while the case is pending. Because the 90-day release rule does not apply to many violent charges, a defendant can spend a year or more in pretrial custody. A defense lawyer can ask for a bond reduction or an examining trial.

The case

Violent felonies are investigated by the agency that made the arrest, such as the Fort Worth Police Department's homicide unit, Arlington police, or the Sheriff's Office for unincorporated areas, and are prosecuted by specialized units of the Criminal District Attorney's Office. The case is presented to a grand jury, assigned to a felony court and tried in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. These cases involve forensic testing, digital evidence and expert witnesses, so they take longer: one to three years is common, longer for capital cases. Plea offers may still be made, often to a lesser charge or for a set term of years.

Victims' rights

Article I, Section 30 of the Texas Constitution guarantees crime victims the right to be treated with fairness and dignity, to be notified of court proceedings, to confer with the prosecutor and to give a victim impact statement. The Criminal District Attorney's victim assistance staff can explain the process, help with crime victims' compensation applications and register victims for notice of jail release. Defendants have their own rights, including appointed counsel through the Office of Attorney Appointments at (817) 884-2370.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Tarrant County

Texas treats 17-year-olds as adults in criminal court, so the juvenile system covers children who were 10 through 16 at the time of the alleged offense. In Tarrant County, delinquency cases are heard by the 323rd District Court, which serves as the county's juvenile court, along with its associate judges. The court sits at the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center, 2701 Kimbo Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76111, the same campus as Tarrant County Juvenile Services, the county's juvenile probation department, under the Tarrant County Juvenile Board. The main number is (817) 838-4600.

Intake and detention

A child taken into custody by police is brought to juvenile intake rather than the adult jail. Juvenile probation officers decide whether the youth can go home to a parent or guardian or must be held. Youths who are held stay in the Tarrant County juvenile detention center on the Kimbo Road campus of the Scott D. Moore Juvenile Justice Center. A detention hearing before a juvenile judge must take place within two working days, and if the child stays in detention, more hearings follow at regular intervals. The child has the right to a lawyer at the detention hearing, and the court appoints one from its juvenile attorney list if the family cannot afford one. There is no money bail in juvenile court; a judge decides release and conditions such as curfews or electronic monitoring.

Prosecution and possible outcomes

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's juvenile division reviews referrals and decides whether to file a petition. Many first-time and lower-level cases are handled without a petition through supervisory caution or deferred prosecution, in which the child follows rules and completes services for up to six months (longer by extension), after which the case is closed. If a petition is filed, the case proceeds to an adjudication hearing before a judge or a six-person jury. If the court finds that the child engaged in delinquent conduct, the disposition can include:

  • probation at home with conditions, counseling, community service or electronic monitoring;
  • placement in a county program or a residential treatment facility;
  • commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) for felony conduct;
  • a determinate sentence for serious offenses, approved by a grand jury, which can begin in TJJD and continue in adult prison up to 40 years for the most serious crimes.

Transfer to adult court

The juvenile judge may waive jurisdiction and certify a youth to stand trial as an adult. Generally, a child who was 14 or older may be certified for a capital felony, a first-degree felony or an aggravated controlled substance felony, and a child 15 or older for any other felony. Certification requires a hearing, a full investigation and a psychological evaluation. A certified youth goes to an adult felony court at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and can be held in an adult facility once certified.

Records

Juvenile records in Texas are generally confidential, and many can be sealed, some automatically at age 19 if certain conditions are met, others by application. A sealed record is treated as though the case never happened for most purposes. Families with questions about a pending case can call Juvenile Services at (817) 838-4600.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Tarrant County

Tarrant County belongs to the Northern District of Texas and is the largest county in its Fort Worth Division, which also includes Comanche, Erath, Hood, Jack, Palo Pinto, Parker and Wise counties. Its cases are tried at the federal courthouse at 501 W. 10th St., Fort Worth, TX 76102, where the clerk's office is in Room 310, (817) 850-6600.

When a case goes federal

A Tarrant County case is prosecuted in federal court when it involves federal law, federal agents or interstate activity. In and around Fort Worth that tends to mean drug-trafficking conspiracies, firearms charges such as a felon in possession of a gun, bank robbery, child exploitation, fraud schemes, identity theft, and crimes on federal property. Agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and the Postal Inspection Service bring these cases, often working jointly with local police. A defendant can sometimes face both state and federal charges for the same conduct, and the state case may be dismissed once a federal indictment is filed.

Prosecutors and defense

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas has a Fort Worth branch at Burnett Plaza, 801 Cherry St., Suite 1700, Fort Worth, TX 76102, (817) 252-5200. The Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas maintains an office in Fort Worth, and when it cannot take a case, the court appoints a private lawyer from its Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel. A defendant who cannot afford counsel asks the magistrate judge at the first appearance.

From arrest to trial

A person arrested on federal charges appears promptly before a U.S. magistrate judge, who explains the charges and the right to counsel. If the government opposes release on bail, a detention hearing is usually held within three court days. Under the Bail Reform Act, the judge either releases the defendant on conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services, which can include travel limits, drug testing or location monitoring, or orders the person held because no condition will reasonably assure appearance and community safety. Commercial bail bondsmen have no role in federal court. If the case began with a complaint, an indictment must follow within 30 days of arrest, and the Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day target for trial, which judges routinely extend in complex cases. Most federal defendants plead guilty, often under a plea agreement; a trial is decided by a jury of twelve that must agree unanimously.

Sentencing and custody

Once a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, a federal probation officer writes a presentence report, and the district judge calculates the advisory Sentencing Guidelines range, subject to any mandatory minimum, which is common in drug and gun cases. Federal prison sentences are served without parole; with good-conduct time, people serve roughly 85 percent of the term in the Bureau of Prisons, followed by supervised release. Appeals are taken to the New Orleans-based Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tarrant County is also home to Federal Medical Center (FMC) Carswell, a Bureau of Prisons facility on the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base that is the only BOP medical center for women. It houses sentenced women from across the country with serious medical or mental health needs, plus a separate minimum-security camp. It is a prison for people already sentenced, not the place where people arrested in Tarrant County are held before trial. Fort Worth also has a separate BOP medical center for men, FMC Fort Worth.

Finding someone in federal custody

Search by name or register number in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. A defendant awaiting trial may instead be held in a county jail under a U.S. Marshals Service contract, and that jail's inmate roster may show the person. Federal prosecution of anyone under 18 is rare; offenses by Tarrant County youths are almost always handled by the 323rd District Court.

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This guide explains how criminal cases generally move through the Tarrant County courts and is not legal advice. Courtrooms, dockets, phone numbers and programs change, so confirm your setting with the clerk or your paperwork and speak with a defense lawyer about your own case. Anyone who cannot afford a lawyer should ask for one at magistration or call the Office of Attorney Appointments at (817) 884-2370; for case information, call the District Clerk at (817) 884-1574 for felonies or the County Clerk at (817) 884-1195 for misdemeanors, and for jail questions call the Sheriff's Office at (817) 884-3000.

Criminal Court Process for Tarrant County Texas

Tarrant County Texas Criminal Court System – Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Texas Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Tarrant County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Texas, Tarrant County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Tarrant County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Tarrant County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested has the opportunity to “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Texas, Tarrant County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Tarrant County or the district works in the prosecutor’s office.  A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment in Texas comes after charges are formally filed, usually by indictment for a felony. The trial court reads the charge and the defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. It is a separate step from the first appearance before a magistrate, where rights are explained, bail is set and a request for an appointed lawyer can be made.

An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Tarrant County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. In Texas, bail and its conditions are set by a magistrate soon after arrest, at the hearing often called magistration. When the case is over, cash posted as bail is refunded on the court’s order to the person named on the receipt, less any fee the law allows.

If a person does not pay bail, they stay in custody until their trial.  Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid. In Texas it usually happens at the first appearance before a magistrate, soon after arrest, well before any arraignment. A defendant may have a lawyer at a bond proceeding, and a defendant facing a request to deny bail under Proposition 3 has the right to one at that hearing. Jailers, police and prosecutors can’t set bail. In Texas a magistrate does, usually within 48 hours of arrest, and that magistrate may be a justice of the peace, a municipal judge, an appointed magistrate or a county or district judge. Texas doesn’t use one bail schedule for the whole state; each county’s judges adopt their own. Before setting bail, the magistrate reviews a Public Safety Report on the person’s criminal history (the Damon Allen Act, Senate Bill 6, 2021). Since September 2025, Senate Bill 9 sends some felony bail decisions to a judge rather than an appointed magistrate, and since November 2025 Proposition 3 lets a judge deny bail outright for certain violent and sexual felonies after a hearing.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible to pay the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash bonds in Texas. Instead of using a bondsman, the defendant or someone on their behalf deposits the full bail amount with the court or the sheriff. The money is held until the case ends, then refunded on the court’s order to the person named on the receipt, less the administrative fee the law allows (Art. 17.02).

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed under Texas law, or by the county’s bail bond board in counties that have one. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Texas.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate.  Usually, the property must be in Tarrant County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

An Unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court.

A Secured Bond is when the defendant pays a portion of the bail up front. If they show to court, they would get the money back and if they don’t show up to court, would have to pay the entire bail amount.

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest.

If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases. Class C misdemeanors do not qualify for indigent representation.  

Texas requires that the county pays for appointed counsel and expenses and each county may address indigent defense differently but must comply with the state commission’s guidelines.  If an accused cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints one. A judge may later order the defendant to repay some or all of that cost if they are able to.  

For less serious cases or civil cases, pro bono volunteers give legal help free or at low cost. Many hold clinics on representing yourself or clearing (expunging) a record. Pro Bono Texas is a good place to start looking for one.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.

In Texas, a district court is the main state trial court for felonies. The name can also mean a U.S. federal district court, which hears federal cases; Texas has four federal judicial districts with offices around the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Texas Felony vs Misdemeanor

In Texas, a misdemeanor is divided into Class A, Class B and Class C.

  • Class A is the most serious misdemeanor with penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $4000.  Examples of a Class A misdemeanor in Texas include property theft valued between $750 and $2500, certain drug possession offenses and assault with bodily harm. 
  • Class B Misdemeanors can result in penalties of up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2000. Examples of a Class B misdemeanor include first offense DWI, possession of marijuana and criminal trespassing.
  • Class C misdemeanor is the least serious and results in a fine of up to $500 without jail time. Examples of Class C misdemeanor include disorderly conduct, simple assault without bodily injury and minor possession of alcohol.

A felony crime in Texas is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and can be punished with more significant fines and jail time of more than one year.  Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.

In Texas, the elected District Clerk keeps the records for felony cases and the elected County Clerk (or County Court at Law clerk) keeps misdemeanor records; both accept filings, bonds, fees and fines and keep the court’s files.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Clerk or County Clerk, and payment methods can be found on the Tarrant County District Clerk or County Clerk website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Texas Criminal Court System - How it Works

Justice courts are located within precincts are the lower-level criminal courts that handle Class C misdemeanors such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication and minor possession of alcohol and traffic violations. The judges are magistrates. 

Municipal courts handle violations of municipal ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. They overlap with justice courts in handling Class C misdemeanors. These courts are for criminal misdemeanors and are only punishable by fine and there is no confinement.

When there is an appeal request from a judgement made in justice or municipal court, the case is heard in a county or district court as if the original trial in the lower court had not occurred.  This is called trial de novo.

Texas County Courts are the original and trial courts for the more serious Class A and B misdemeanor cases. Each Texas county has one constitutional county court, and many counties have added statutory County Courts at Law to share its caseload; in larger counties those courts hear most Class A and B misdemeanors.  County courts are not courts for felony cases.

District courts in Texas are trial courts that handle criminal felony cases from beginning to end.  

Every Texas county designates at least one court to sit as its juvenile court (Family Code 51.04). A child in juvenile court is someone who was 10 through 16 at the time of the alleged conduct; at 17, Texas treats a person as an adult in criminal cases. The juvenile cases are handled by judges assigned to only serve “juvenile court”.

Courts of Appeal handle appeals from the district and county courts.

Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Texas offers a variety of specialty courts throughout the state including drug, veteran’s, re-entry and DWI courts.

Texas has two high courts. The Texas Supreme Court is the final word on civil and juvenile cases. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin is the highest court for criminal cases and automatically reviews every death sentence. Most criminal appeals reach it after one of the state’s intermediate courts of appeals has ruled.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Texas state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There are four U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Texas.

Courts

ARLINGTON JUDGE's OFFICE
101 S MESQUITE ST
ARLINGTON TX, 76010
817-459-6979
ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL COURT
101 S MESQUITE ST
ARLINGTON TX, 76010
817-459-6348
PANTEGO MUNICIPAL COURT
2600 MILLER LN
PANTEGO TX, 76013
817-274-3869
BEDFORD TEEN COURT
2000 FOREST RIDGE DR
BEDFORD TX, 76021
817-952-2468
COLLEYVILLE-KELLER MUNI COURT
5201 RIVERWALK DR
COLLEYVILLE TX, 76034
817-503-1300
CROWLEY MUNICIPAL COURT
201 E MAIN ST
CROWLEY TX, 76036
817-297-2201
EULESS MUNICIPAL COURT
1102 W EULESS BLVD
EULESS TX, 76040
817-685-1460
GRAPEVINE MUNICIPAL COURT
1027 IRA E WOODS AVE
GRAPEVINE TX, 76051
817-410-3284
HURST MUNICIPAL COURT
825 THOUSAND OAKS DR # B
HURST TX, 76054
817-788-7045
KENNEDALE MUNICIPAL COURT
405 MUNICIPAL DR
KENNEDALE TX, 76060
817-985-2140
TARRANT COUNTY SUBCOURTHOUSE
1100 E BROAD ST
MANSFIELD TX, 76063
817-884-1111
SOUTHLAKE MUNICIPAL COURT
600 STATE ST
SOUTHLAKE TX, 76092
817-748-8188
FORT WORTH MUNICIPAL CT JUDGE
1000 THROCKMORTON ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76102
817-392-6715
FORT WORTH MUNICIPAL COURTS
1000 THROCKMORTON ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76102
817-392-6711
TARRANT COUNTY JUVENILE COURT
2701 KIMBO RD
FORT WORTH TX, 76111
817-838-4620
RIVER OAKS MUNICIPAL COURT
4900 RIVER OAKS BLVD
RIVER OAKS TX, 76114
817-626-1597
HALTOM CITY MUNICIPAL COURT
5024 BROADWAY AVE
HALTOM CITY TX, 76117
817-222-7773
RICHLAND HILLS MUNICIPAL COURT
3200 DIANA DR
RICHLAND HILLS TX, 76118
817-299-1825
TARRANT COUNTY SW
6551 GRANBURY RD
FORT WORTH TX, 76133
817-884-1111
EVERMAN MUNICIPAL COURT
212 N RACE ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76140
817-293-0588
WATAUGA MUNICIPAL COURT
7105 WHITLEY RD
WATAUGA TX, 76148
817-514-5715
WATAUGA TEEN COURT
7105 WHITLEY RD
WATAUGA TX, 76148
817-514-5823
SAGINAW MUNICIPAL COURT
333 W MCLEROY BLVD
SAGINAW TX, 76179
817-232-4640
NORTH RICHLAND HLS MUNI COURT
4301 CITY POINT DR
N RICHLAND HILLS TX, 76180
817-427-6700
TARRANT COUNTY TEXAS CO JUDGE
100 E WEATHERFORD ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76196
817-884-1234
233RD DISTRICT COURT
200 E WEATHERFORD ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76196
817-884-1794
TARRANT COUNTY JP COURT 1
100 W WEATHERFORD ST # 450A
FORT WORTH TX, 76196
817-884-1395
TARRANT COUNTY COURTHOUSE-FORT
100 W WEATHERFORD ST
FORT WORTH TX, 76196
817-884-1111
2ND COURT OF APPEALS
401 W BELKNAP ST # 9000
FORT WORTH TX, 76196
817-884-1900
KELLER MUNICIPAL COURT
330 RUFE SNOW DR
KELLER TX, 76248
817-743-4700

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Tarrant County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.