Criminal defense for Garland cases
In short: Class C tickets from Garland go to the Garland Municipal Court at 1791 W. Avenue B, Garland 75042. DWI, family violence, drug and felony cases go to the Dallas 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 Garland, but we defend people charged in Garland and across Dallas County.
Which court will hear my Garland case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Garland Municipal Court (Brad Neighbor Municipal Court Building), 1791 W. Avenue B, Garland 75042 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | the Dallas County Criminal Courts | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the Dallas 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 Garland is not a municipal court case. It goes to the Dallas County courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies.
What happens after an arrest in Garland?
Arrests are usually booked at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, next to the Frank Crowley building, where a magistrate sets bond. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office runs pretrial diversion and specialty court programs, including the DIVERT substance-use court. Eligibility is decided case by case by the DA's office and the 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 Dallas County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Garland cases
A protective order from a Garland incident is usually filed in Dallas County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read the Dallas 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 Garland?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Garland and the rest of Dallas County.
Is a DWI in Garland handled by the municipal court?
No. The Garland Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor, so it goes to the Dallas County courts.
Where is the Garland municipal court?
Garland Municipal Court (Brad Neighbor Municipal Court Building), 1791 W. Avenue B, Garland 75042.
Where is a protective order from Garland 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 Dallas 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.