Criminal defense for Denton cases
In short: Class C tickets from Denton go to the Denton Municipal Court at 601 E. Hickory St., Denton 76205. DWI, family violence, drug and felony cases go to the Denton 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 Denton, but we defend people charged in Denton and across Denton County.
Which court will hear my Denton case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Denton Municipal Court, 601 E. Hickory St., Denton 76205 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | Denton County Criminal Courts No. 1 through 5, through the Misdemeanor Trial Division | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the district courts at the Courts Building, which houses the 16th, 158th, 211th, 362nd, 367th, 393rd, 431st, 442nd, 462nd, 467th, 477th and 481st District Courts | 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 Denton is not a municipal court case. It goes to the Denton County courts at the Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney St., Denton 76209. The Denton County Criminal District Attorney's Office prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies.
What happens after an arrest in Denton?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond and conditions. Denton County has five county criminal courts for misdemeanors, so the specific court number on your paperwork tells you where your settings will be.
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 Denton County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Denton cases
A protective order from a Denton incident is usually filed in Denton County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read the Denton County protective order page or 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 Denton?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Denton and the rest of Denton County.
Is a DWI in Denton handled by the municipal court?
No. The Denton Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor, so it goes to the Denton County courts.
Where is the Denton municipal court?
Denton Municipal Court, 601 E. Hickory St., Denton 76205.
Where is a protective order from Denton 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 Denton 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.