How Long Does a DWI Case Take to Resolve in Tarrant County?

 Posted on March 02, 2026 in DWI

Most DWI cases in Tarrant County can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to resolve, depending on the facts of the case and what stage it reaches.

If you're facing DWI charges in 2026, The Dameron Law Firm can help. Our Tarrant County, TX DWI defense lawyer can explain what to expect at every stage.

How Long Does the Pretrial Phase Take in a Tarrant County DWI Case?

The pretrial phase (before trial) is usually the longest part of the process. The attorney needs time to police reports, body camera footage, breath or blood test results, and field sobriety test records. If your case involved a blood draw, lab results can take weeks or even months to come back.

Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 28.01, pretrial hearings give your attorney the chance to file motions to challenge the evidence before the case goes to trial. Common motions include motions to suppress to throw out evidence that was obtained illegally or to challenge the reliability of a breath or blood test. The court has to rule on those motions, which takes time but can also change the outcome of your case significantly.

Does It Matter Whether Your DWI Is a Misdemeanor or a Felony in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code § 49.04, a first-time DWI with no aggravating factors is a Class B misdemeanor. If your blood alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. A third DWI, or a DWI involving a child passenger or serious injury, can be charged as a felony.

Misdemeanor DWI cases are handled in county criminal courts and tend to move faster. Felony cases go through the district courts and may take longer. A felony case that goes to trial can take well over a year from arrest to resolution.

What Are the Main Ways a DWI Case Can Be Resolved?

Dismissal

If the evidence is weak, was obtained illegally, or there are problems with the stop or the testing, the case may be dismissed. This is the best possible outcome but not guaranteed. The Tarrant County prosecutors are tough on DWI cases and do not like to dismiss them.  

Plea Agreement

Many cases are resolved through a negotiated plea, where you agree to plead guilty in exchange for an agreement.  Sometimes this can result in reduced charges or lighter penalties. In Tarrant County, this can include probation, fines, DWI education classes, and community service. Having an attorney who knows when to negotiate and when to push back makes a real difference.

Trial

If no acceptable plea deal is available and the evidence can be challenged, your case may go before a jury or a judge. The prosecutor must agree to a bench trial.  Trials take more time but may produce the best results. Tarrant County also offers specialty programs like the Felony Alcohol Intervention Program for repeat DWI offenders, which can be an alternative to traditional sentencing for those who qualify.

What Factors Make a Tarrant County DWI Case Take Longer?

Several things can stretch out how long a DWI case takes:

• Blood test cases: When a blood sample was taken instead of a breath test, you have to wait for lab results. If those results are challenged, expert witnesses may be needed, which adds more time.
• Prior DWI convictions: A second or third offense involves more serious charges and more complex negotiations with the prosecutor.
• Accidents or injuries: If your DWI involved a crash, more investigation is required and the stakes are higher.
• Court backlogs: Tarrant County handles a high volume of criminal cases, and scheduling delays are common even in a county that moves faster than most.

What Should You Do While Your DWI Case Is Pending in Texas?

How you conduct yourself while your case is pending matters. Show up to every court date. Follow any conditions set by the judge at your bond hearing. Any bond violation can result in being placed in jail.  Avoid any new criminal charges. Judges and prosecutors take note of whether defendants are taking their situation seriously.  When the evidence is available, the attorney will review:

• Your driving record and any prior criminal history
• The police report from the night of your arrest
• Any dashcam or body camera footage
• Records related to how the stop was conducted and how testing was administered

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Keller, TX DWI Defense Attorney

A DWI case in Tarrant County can move fast, but the decisions made early, especially in the first 15 days, can shape everything that follows. Attorney Craig Dameron has over 20 years of experience representing clients charged with DWI and other criminal charges in Tarrant County and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He knows how local courts, prosecutors, and judges handle these cases and how to use that knowledge in your defense.

Call 817-222-0624 to schedule a free consultation with our Tarrant County, TX DWI defense lawyer at The Dameron Law Firm today, and start building your defense strategy.