Tarrant County Cite and Release Program: What You Need to Know

 Posted on October 16, 2026 in Criminal Defense

If a police officer in Tarrant County gives you a citation for a criminal offense instead of taking you to jail, you may understandably feel relieved. But receiving a cite and release citation does not mean your criminal charge has been dismissed.

Tarrant County’s Cite and Release Program allows law enforcement officers, under certain circumstances, to issue a citation for qualifying low-level misdemeanor offenses instead of making an on-site custodial arrest. You are released with instructions to appear before a Tarrant County magistrate at a specified time and place.

The important part is what happens afterward: you still face criminal prosecution. If you received a cite and release citation in Fort Worth or elsewhere in Tarrant County, understanding what the citation means—and what it does not mean—can help you protect your rights and prepare for what comes next. At The Dameron Law Firm, our Tarrant County, TX criminal defense lawyer has years of experience representing clients across the DFW area, so you can rest assured that your case will be handled by a seasoned professional.

What Is Cite and Release in Tarrant County?

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 14.06 provides law enforcement with an alternative to taking a person into custody for certain qualifying offenses.

Instead of transporting the person to jail following the encounter, an officer may issue a citation requiring the person to appear before a magistrate. Tarrant County describes several goals of its Cite and Release Program, including:

• Reducing on-site arrests;
• Decreasing the amount of time officers spend transporting individuals;
• Lowering the jail population;
• Reducing jail housing costs;
• Providing an alternative way of handling certain criminal conduct; and
• Allowing greater focus on more serious crimes.

For the person receiving the citation, the most immediate benefit is obvious: you may be able to leave the scene instead of being transported to jail. That does not make the underlying criminal case disappear.

Does Cite and Release Mean My Case Was Dismissed?

A Tarrant County cite and release citation is not a dismissal of your criminal charge. This is one of the most important things to understand about the program. Tarrant County’s official program materials expressly state that the charge will still be prosecuted. The citation requires the individual to report to court on a specified date to answer to the charge before a Tarrant County magistrate.

In other words, cite and release primarily changes what happens at the beginning of the criminal process. Rather than being taken into custody at the scene, booked into jail, and potentially required to post bond before release, a qualifying individual can receive a citation and be released. The criminal accusation itself remains.

What Crimes Are Eligible for Cite and Release in Tarrant County?

According to Tarrant County’s published Cite and Release Program Overview, eligible offenses include:

Class C Misdemeanors

Class C misdemeanors may qualify, except for public intoxication.

Certain Class A and Class B Misdemeanors

Certain Class A and Class B misdemeanor offenses may also qualify for cite and release.

Tarrant County specifically identifies the following qualifying offenses and thresholds:

• Possession of marijuana: Less than 4 ounces
• Possession of a controlled substance: Less than 4 ounces
• Criminal mischief: Damage up to $750
• Theft of property: Up to $750
• Theft of services: Up to $750
• Graffiti: Damage up to $750

Whether cite and release is used in a particular encounter can depend on the applicable law, the offense alleged, the circumstances, and the law enforcement officer’s decision. Eligibility for cite and release should not be confused with a guarantee that an officer must issue a citation rather than make an arrest.

Can You Get a Cite and Release for Marijuana in Tarrant County?

Tarrant County’s program materials identify possession of marijuana under four ounces as an eligible cite and release offense.

This means that in qualifying circumstances, someone accused of possessing less than four ounces of marijuana may receive a citation instead of being taken to jail at the scene.

Again, this does not mean that marijuana possession is legal or that the criminal charge is automatically dismissed. A person who receives the citation can still face prosecution and should take the charge seriously.

Can You Get Cited and Released for Theft in Tarrant County?

Tarrant County also lists certain low-level theft offenses among those eligible for cite and release. The county’s program overview identifies theft of property up to $750 and theft of services up to $750 as eligible offenses.

A citation instead of an on-site arrest does not determine whether the State can ultimately prove the theft allegation. The prosecution still has the burden of proving the criminal charge, and the accused retains the right to challenge the State’s evidence and raise applicable defenses.

Can Criminal Mischief or Graffiti Qualify for Cite and Release in 2026?

Tarrant County’s published eligibility list includes criminal mischief involving damage up to $750 and graffiti involving damage up to $750.

These are still criminal accusations. Cite and release changes the initial procedure in qualifying cases; it does not convert the accusation into a warning or automatically resolve the case.

What Happens After You Receive a Cite and Release Citation?

The citation provides written notice telling you when and where you are required to appear.

Tarrant County states that a person receiving a cite and release citation must appear on the date and at the time indicated. At that appearance, the person will be fingerprinted, complete a financial questionnaire, be advised of applicable rights, and have an opportunity to request court-appointed counsel if eligible.

You should rely on the information contained on your own citation and any subsequent court notice for your required appearance rather than assuming that a general docket schedule applies to your particular case.

Where Is Tarrant County Cite and Release Court?

Tarrant County lists the Cite and Release contact number as 817-884-1599. If you have received a citation, carefully review the date, time, court, and location printed on your paperwork.

Do I Have to Go to Court After Cite and Release?

Receiving a citation instead of being taken to jail does not eliminate your obligation to address the criminal charge. The citation contains the time and place at which you are required to appear before a magistrate.

Ignoring a cite and release citation can create additional legal problems. If you are uncertain about your appearance requirements, speak with your attorney and confirm the requirements applicable to your particular case.

Will I Be Fingerprinted Even Though I Was Not Taken to Jail?

Tarrant County states that individuals appearing on the Cite and Release Docket will be fingerprinted on their court date.

This is another reason not to think of cite and release as merely receiving a traffic-style ticket and walking away from the matter. The procedure is an alternative to an on-site arrest for qualifying offenses, but the underlying criminal case proceeds through the justice system.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Tarrant County Cite and Release Case?

A cite and release case is still a criminal case. Depending on the charge and circumstances, a criminal defense attorney can investigate the allegations, review the evidence, identify potential constitutional or evidentiary issues, communicate with prosecutors, advise you about available options, and represent you in court. The fact that you were not transported to jail should not cause you to underestimate the importance of the accusation.

 There can also be a significant difference between asking, "Can I avoid going to jail today?" and asking, "How can this criminal charge affect my future?" Cite and release addresses the first issue. Your defense strategy should address the second.

Can a Tarrant County Cite and Release Charge Be Dismissed?

A cite and release citation itself does not guarantee a dismissal.

Whether a criminal case can ultimately be dismissed, reduced, resolved through a diversion or other program, or successfully contested depends on the specific charge, evidence, criminal history, eligibility requirements, prosecutor’s decisions, and other facts unique to the case.A criminal defense lawyer can evaluate those issues after reviewing the actual allegations and evidence.

What Should I Do After Receiving a Cite and Release Citation?

First, do not ignore the citation or miss the required court appearance.

Keep the citation and any other paperwork you received. Avoid posting details about the alleged incident on social media or discussing the facts unnecessarily with people who could later become witnesses.

You should also consider speaking with a Tarrant County criminal defense attorney before your court date. Getting legal advice early gives your lawyer an opportunity to understand what happened, identify potential evidence, and begin evaluating possible defenses or resolutions.

Tarrant County Cite and Release FAQs

What is cite and release in Tarrant County?

Cite and release allows law enforcement, under qualifying circumstances, to issue a citation requiring a person accused of certain misdemeanor offenses to appear before a magistrate rather than making an on-site custodial arrest.

Does cite and release mean I was not charged?

You can still face prosecution for a crime even though you were released instead of being transported to jail.

Can I still be prosecuted after cite and release?

Cite and release is an alternative to an on-site arrest; it does not prevent the State from prosecuting the underlying criminal charge.

Where is the Tarrant County Cite and Release Docket?

Tarrant County currently lists the docket in Trial Room D on the seventh floor of the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap Street in Fort Worth.

Should I hire a criminal defense attorney after cite and release?

Because you still face a criminal charge, you have the right to seek legal representation. An attorney can review the evidence, advise you regarding defenses and potential resolutions, and represent you throughout the criminal proceedings.

Talk to a Tarrant County, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

Receiving a citation rather than being taken to jail can make a difficult encounter with law enforcement less disruptive, but cite and release should not be mistaken for the end of your criminal case.

The Dameron Law Firm represents people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Attorney Craig Dameron has practiced criminal defense for more than 20 years and represents clients facing drug possession, theft, criminal mischief, and other criminal charges.

If you received a Tarrant County cite and release citation, we can review the charge, explain the court process, examine the evidence against you, and discuss your available defense options. Contact The Dameron Law Firm at 817-222-0624 to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth, Texas criminal law attorney.