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Tarrant County Lawyer Assisting With the Criminal Process
Attorney Providing Guidance in Criminal Cases in Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Keller, Mansfield, and Across Tarrant County
When you are facing a criminal charge in Tarrant County, it may feel like you are stepping into a system that has its own language, deadlines, buildings, and rules. Understanding the criminal process followed in Tarrant County can help ensure that you will be able to defend against criminal charges successfully. At The Dameron Law Firm, our attorney can provide you with the representation you need during this process, answering any questions you may have and working to help you resolve your case successfully.
How the Tarrant County Criminal Process Usually Works
- Investigation, Stop, or Arrest: A case may begin with a traffic stop, a 911 call, an arrest warrant, a DWI investigation, an allegation of family violence, a drug crime investigation, a report of theft, or another reason for police contact. What you say and do early can affect the rest of your case.
- Booking and Jail Processing: After your arrest, you will be processed into jail. Booking may include identification, fingerprints, photographs, property inventory, and entry into jail and court systems.
- Magistration and Bond: A magistrate will inform you of the charges against you and your rights, and bond may be set. Bond can include conditions such as no contact, alcohol monitoring, the use of an ignition interlock device, travel restrictions, drug testing, or reporting to a probation officer or other official.
- Case Filing and Court Assignment: Prosecutors will review the case. Misdemeanors will generally be handled in county criminal courts. Felonies will generally be handled in criminal district courts.
- First Court Appearances and Negotiations: Early court appearances may address discovery, negotiations, bond condition issues, and scheduling of future court dates. Our defense attorney may begin reviewing police reports, videos, lab results, witness statements, and legal defenses.
- Motions, Plea Offers, Dismissal, or Trial: A case may be resolved through a dismissal, a reduction of charges, diversion programs, a plea agreement, deferred adjudication, probation, a bench trial, or a jury trial. The right strategy to take during each of these proceedings will depend on the evidence in your case and your goals.
Step 1: Arrest, Booking, and What to Do First
When you have been arrested in Tarrant County, your immediate concerns will usually be related to how you can be released from jail and the bond conditions that may apply. You will want to avoid making mistakes that could make the case worse. Do not discuss the facts of the case with police, jail staff, friends on recorded jail calls, or alleged victims. Ask for a lawyer.
Step 2: Magistration, Bond, and Release From Jail
At magistration, a judge or magistrate will address the accusations, advise you of your rights, and set release conditions. Family members who are looking to locate a person who has been arrested and make sure a bail bond can be paid can call the Tarrant County Jail Inmate Information Line at 817-884-3000, which can provide information about whether bond has been set and the bond amount. Bonds may be posted at the Bond Desk at the Tarrant County Corrections Center, located at 100 N. Lamar St., Fort Worth, TX 76196.
Common Tarrant County Bond Issues
- Cash bond, surety bond, or personal bond eligibility
- No-contact orders in assault or family violence cases
- Ignition interlock or alcohol monitoring after DWI allegations
- Drug testing or treatment requirements
- Firearm restrictions
- Travel and check-in requirements
- Bond reduction or modification requests
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Cases in Tarrant County
Class A and Class B Misdemeanors
Many adult Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Tarrant County are handled in county criminal courts. Examples may include DWI, assault causing bodily injury, theft, marijuana possession in certain amounts, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and violation of protective orders.
Felony Cases
Felonies are more serious, and they are generally handled through criminal district courts. Examples may include aggravated assault, intoxication assault, felony DWI, drug manufacturing or trafficking, robbery, burglary, sexual offenses, and repeat or enhanced charges.
Step 3: Court Hearings at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
The Tarrant County criminal courts are located at 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76196. Court hearings may include announcements, resets, docket calls, pretrial hearings, plea hearings, motion hearings, or trials depending on the court and stage of the case.
Missing a court date can result in a warrant, the forfeiture of a bond, new bond conditions, or a harder path to release. Before every hearing or court appearance, it is important to confirm the courtroom, time, dress expectations, parking plan, and whether your attorney needs you to be physically present.
Step 4: Discovery, Negotiations, Motions, and Trial
A strong defense starts with the evidence. Depending on the charge, that may include body camera footage, dash camera footage, 911 calls, police reports, witness statements, forensic tests, breath or blood test results, lab reports, phone records, photos, medical records, and prior criminal history allegations.
Possible Options for Defense
- Dismissal: If the prosecutor cannot prove the charge, a witness is unavailable, or evidence is unreliable, the case may be dismissed.
- Reduction: A charge may be negotiated to a lower offense or a lower punishment range.
- Diversion or Deferred Adjudication: Some defendants may qualify for outcomes designed to avoid a final conviction if they complete certain conditions.
- Suppression Motion: Our lawyer may ask the judge to exclude evidence that was obtained through an unlawful stop, detention, search, seizure, or interrogation.
- Trial: Our attorney will provide a defense and take steps to demonstrate that the prosecution cannot prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Step 5: Sentencing, Probation, and Conditions
If a case results in a plea, a finding of guilt, deferred adjudication, or a conviction, the next issue to address will be the appropriate punishment. Sentencing can include jail or prison time, fines, court costs, community supervision, classes, evaluations, treatment, community service, the use of an ignition interlock device, no-contact orders, restitution, or other conditions.
If you are required to serve probation, this may help you avoid jail time, but you will need to meet certain requirements. Violations of the conditions of probation can trigger motions to revoke probation, require you to serve jail time, or convict you of a criminal offense. Before agreeing to a plea agreement that may include probation, it is important to understand the exact consequences you may face, the conditions that will apply, and any immigration concerns, license issues, firearm implications, or effects on your criminal record.
After the Case: Expunctions and Nondisclosures
After a dismissal, acquittal, the completion of diversion, or certain deferred adjudication outcomes, you may want to explore whether your criminal record can be cleared or sealed. Texas record-clearing rules are technical, and waiting periods may apply. Our attorney can help you understand your options for clearing your record through an expunction or nondisclosure order.
Serving Clients Across Tarrant County
The Dameron Law Firm represents people facing criminal charges throughout Tarrant County, including:
- Fort Worth
- Arlington
- Grapevine
- Keller
- Southlake
- Colleyville
- Bedford
- Hurst
- Euless
- North Richland Hills
- Grand Prairie
- Mansfield
- Azle
- Crowley
- Haltom City
- Watauga
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tarrant County Criminal Process FAQs
Answer: You can use the official Tarrant County inmate search or call the jail inmate information line at 817-884-3000. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready.
Answer: It is important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Early legal help can make sure issues such as bond conditions, statements to police, evidence preservation, communication with prosecutors, and first court hearings will be handled correctly.
Answer: That depends on the alleged offense, the facts of the case, the severity of any injuries, the amount or weight of drugs that were found, your criminal history, and other factors. Our lawyer can evaluate the classification of your charges and identify possible challenges while working to build an effective defense strategy.
Answer: Sometimes. Our defense attorney may request a bond reduction or modification when conditions are unnecessary, overly burdensome, impossible to follow, or are interfering with your work, family, treatment, or daily life.
Answer: In many cases, you will be required to appear for every hearing or court proceeding. Your requirements may depend on the court, the type of hearing, and your attorney's instructions. Never miss court unless your lawyer has confirmed that you do not have to appear.
Answer: Bring bond paperwork, court notices, police paperwork, protective orders, videos or photos, names of witnesses, information about prior criminal history, driver's license documents, and any messages or documents related to the allegations.
Answer: Some cases may be dismissed because of weak evidence, witness issues, the suppression of evidence, the completion of diversion programs, or negotiations with prosecutors. The ability to obtain a dismissal will depend on the facts of a case and the prosecution's ability to prove the charge.
Contact Our Tarrant County Criminal Defense Attorney
At The Dameron Law Firm, our attorney can provide the guidance you need throughout the entire criminal process. To get legal help with your case, contact our Tarrant County criminal defense lawyer at 817-222-0624 and schedule a free consultation.
1515 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
817-222-0624
