Criminal defense for Richardson cases
In short: Class C tickets from Richardson go to the Richardson Municipal Court at 2100 E. Campbell Rd., Richardson 75081. 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 Richardson, but we defend people charged in Richardson and across Dallas County.
Which court will hear my Richardson case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Richardson Municipal Court, 2100 E. Campbell Rd., Richardson 75081 | 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 Richardson 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.
This city crosses county lines into Collin County. A case from that side goes to that county's courts, so check the county on your paperwork.
What happens after an arrest in Richardson?
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 Richardson cases
A protective order from a Richardson 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 Richardson?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Richardson and the rest of Dallas County.
Is a DWI in Richardson handled by the municipal court?
No. The Richardson 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 Richardson municipal court?
Richardson Municipal Court, 2100 E. Campbell Rd., Richardson 75081.
Where is a protective order from Richardson 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.