Felony Defense in Dallas County
Local court, prosecutor and program details for Dallas County, from our office in downtown Dallas.
In short: Dallas County felonies are heard in the Criminal District Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, after booking at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. The DA runs a felony pretrial diversion program for adult first-time offenders, with a referral due within 120 days of indictment, and the county runs several specialty courts.
This page covers felony cases in Dallas County: where they are heard, who prosecutes them and the local programs the county and its prosecutors run. Our office is in downtown Dallas at 325 N St. Paul Street; we handle cases in the Dallas County courts. For Texas-wide law, see our felony charges guide, and for other charges see the Dallas County criminal defense page.
Which courts hear felony cases in Dallas County?
Felonies in Dallas County are heard in the Criminal District Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. The county's CSCD counts 17 felony courts. Your court is assigned when the case is filed and is shown on your bond paperwork and in the county's online case records.
Who prosecutes felonies in Dallas County?
The Dallas County District Attorney's Office prosecutes felonies. Most felony cases need a grand jury indictment before the case moves forward, and the prosecutor decides what to present. Before indictment there can be room to send the defense's side of the story to the prosecutor or to raise diversion.
What happens after a felony arrest in Dallas County?
After a felony arrest in Dallas County, booking usually happens at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center at 111 W. Commerce St., where a magistrate gives the warnings and sets bond. Felony bonds often come with conditions such as reporting, drug testing or travel limits. If you cannot make bond, ask about a bond reduction motion early, since the court can revisit the amount.
What diversion and specialty programs does Dallas County have?
The Dallas County District Attorney runs a felony pretrial diversion program aimed at adult first-time felony offenders, and its published checklist calls for a referral within 120 days of indictment. It excludes people with a prior felony conviction, probation, deferred adjudication or diversion, and excludes cases involving violence, sexual offenses and felony intoxication offenses. The Office of Court Administration's specialty court registry also lists Dallas programs such as DIVERT (Dallas Initiative for Diversion and Expedited Rehabilitation and Treatment), the S.T.A.C. Court, AIM, ATLAS, a Veterans court, an Intensive Intervention Program and a 4-C SAFPF re-entry court. Each has its own entry rules.
How does a felony move through a Texas court?
After arrest, a person must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17). The magistrate gives the legal warnings and sets bond using the factors in article 17.15. A felony case then generally needs a grand jury indictment before it goes forward in a district court. Texas felonies run from state jail felonies to first-degree and capital felonies, and the punishment range depends on the level and any prior convictions.
Many felony cases end with community supervision (probation) under Code of Criminal Procedure chapter 42A, either as regular probation after a conviction or as deferred adjudication, which can avoid a conviction if completed. Whether a program, a reduction or a trial is the better path depends on the evidence, which is why early review of the police reports, video and lab results matters.
What are the Texas felony punishment ranges?
| Level | Prison range | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| First degree | 5 to 99 years or life | $10,000 |
| Second degree | 2 to 20 years | $10,000 |
| Third degree | 2 to 10 years | $10,000 |
| State jail felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail | $10,000 |
What should I do now?
- Note your court number and every setting, and keep your bond paperwork.
- Do not discuss the facts with anyone except your lawyer, including on jail phones, which are recorded.
- Collect records that show who you are: work, school, treatment and family responsibilities.
- Ask early about diversion deadlines, since some run from the first appearance or indictment.
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 or start a chat. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
Where are Dallas County felony cases heard?
In the Criminal District Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas.
Does Dallas County have felony pretrial diversion?
Yes. The District Attorney runs a program for adult first-time felony offenders, with a referral due within 120 days of indictment. Violent, sexual and felony intoxication cases are excluded.
Where will I be booked after a felony arrest in Dallas?
Usually at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, 111 W. Commerce St., where a magistrate sets bond.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. The first consultation is free and is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney.
Do not wait for your court date to get help. Call (214) 239-2013.
Phones and chat 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.