Criminal defense for Fort Worth cases
In short: Class C tickets from Fort Worth go to the Fort Worth Municipal Court at 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth 76102. DWI, family violence, drug and felony cases go to the Tarrant 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 Fort Worth, but we defend people charged in Fort Worth and across Tarrant County.
Which court will hear my Fort Worth case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Fort Worth Municipal Court (A.D. Marshall Public Safety and Courts Building), 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth 76102 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | the Tarrant County Criminal Courts | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the Tarrant County Criminal 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 Fort Worth is not a municipal court case. It goes to the Tarrant County courts at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies.
Fort Worth is the Tarrant County seat. County-level criminal cases are heard downtown at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap St.
What happens after an arrest in Fort Worth?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond and conditions. Tarrant County operates a post-plea Misdemeanor DWI Court program through County Criminal Court No. 4. It is a treatment-focused program for eligible people after a plea, not a dismissal program.
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 Tarrant County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Fort Worth cases
A protective order from a Fort Worth incident is usually filed in Tarrant County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read the Tarrant 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 Fort Worth?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Fort Worth and the rest of Tarrant County.
Is a DWI in Fort Worth handled by the municipal court?
No. The Fort Worth Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor, so it goes to the Tarrant County courts.
Where is the Fort Worth municipal court?
Fort Worth Municipal Court (A.D. Marshall Public Safety and Courts Building), 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth 76102.
Where is a protective order from Fort Worth 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 Tarrant 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.