Criminal defense for Decatur cases
In short: Class C tickets from Decatur go to the Decatur Municipal Court at 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234. DWI, family violence, drug and felony cases go to the Wise County courts. Protective orders can be filed where either person lives or where the violence allegedly happened, and the hearing is generally within 14 days.
Our office is in downtown Dallas. We do not have an office in Decatur, but we defend people charged in Decatur and across Wise County.
Which court will hear my Decatur case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Decatur Municipal Court, 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | Wise County Court at Law No. 1 in Decatur | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the 271st District Court | County or district prosecutor (see below) |
The municipal court only hears offenses punishable by fine only. A DWI, assault, drug possession or protective order violation from Decatur is not a municipal court case. It goes to the Wise County courts at the Wise County Courthouse, 101 N. Trinity St., Decatur 76234. Wise County splits prosecution: the Wise County Attorney (Courthouse, Suite 300) prosecutes misdemeanors and the District Attorney (Suite 200) prosecutes felonies.
This city is also the county seat, so the county courts are in town.
What happens after an arrest in Decatur?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond and conditions. The County Attorney and District Attorney split matters. A first or second DWI goes through the County Attorney and County Court at Law No. 1; a felony DWI goes through the District Attorney and the 271st District Court.
For a DWI, the 15-day deadline to request an ALR hearing starts when you get the notice, no matter which city made the arrest. Read the Wise County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Decatur cases
A protective order from a Decatur incident is usually filed in Wise County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read our full Texas protective order guide.
How do I get started?
The first consultation is free. It is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney. Call (214) 239-2013. Phones are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
Do you have an office in Decatur?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Decatur and the rest of Wise County.
Is a DWI in Decatur handled by the municipal court?
No. The Decatur Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor, so it goes to the Wise County courts.
Where is the Decatur municipal court?
Decatur Municipal Court, 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234.
Where is a protective order from Decatur filed?
In the county where the applicant lives, where the respondent lives, or where the family violence allegedly happened (Family Code 82.003). For most incidents in the city, that is Wise County.
How soon is the protective order hearing?
Generally within 14 days after the application is filed (Family Code 84.001). A temporary ex parte order can last up to 20 days and be extended.
Do not wait for your court date to get help. Call (214) 239-2013.
Phones are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.