Drug Charge Defense in Denton County
Local court, prosecutor and program details for Denton County, from our office in downtown Dallas.
In short: Denton County drug cases are heard at the Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney St. Options include the First Offender Drug Program, which ends in dismissal and expunction eligibility, the DA's Pre-Trial Diversion, and a four-phase felony Drug Court in the 211th and 462nd District Courts.
This page covers drug cases in Denton 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 Denton County courts. For Texas-wide law, see our drug charges guide, and for other charges see the Denton County criminal defense page.
Which courts hear drug cases in Denton County?
Misdemeanor drug cases in Denton County go to County Criminal Courts No. 1 through 5, and felony drug cases to the district courts, all at the Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney St., Denton.
Who prosecutes drug cases in Denton County?
The Denton County Criminal District Attorney's Office prosecutes drug cases and screens them for its diversion program. Lab results often set the charge level, and early settings may pass while the lab works.
What happens after a drug arrest in Denton County?
After a drug arrest, booking is at the Denton County Jail, 127 N. Woodrow Ln., Denton, where a magistrate sets bond. Random testing is a common condition in drug cases.
What drug programs does Denton County run?
Denton County has three main paths for drug cases. First, the county's First Offender Drug Program diverts low-risk, first-time drug offenders to a court-supervised program, and the case is dismissed and eligible for expunction on completion. Second, the Denton County Criminal District Attorney's Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) program is for low-risk, true first offenders: a person cannot have had PTD, deferred adjudication or any other adult disposition before. The DA screens cases, and an approved person signs a contract with the office, which takes the case off the court's docket. Completion leads to dismissal and eligibility for expunction; a violation sends the case back to court. The DA lists marijuana possession among typical PTD cases. Third, the Denton County Drug Court is for high-risk felony offenders who show a genuine desire to stop using. It has four phases with random drug testing throughout, and the state registry lists it in the 211th and 462nd District Courts. A challenge to the stop or search can still come first.
What Texas drug law applies?
Most drug possession cases are charged under the Health and Safety Code chapter 481, and the level depends on the penalty group and the weight. For example, possessing less than one gram of a Penalty Group 1 substance is a state jail felony (Health and Safety Code 481.115). Marijuana possession of two ounces or less is a Class B misdemeanor (481.121). Charges can rise with larger amounts, a drug-free zone or an allegation of intent to deliver.
Common defense issues include whether the stop and search were legal, whether the substance was actually tested and weighed by a lab, and whether the State can prove you knowingly possessed it. Programs such as pretrial diversion and drug court can lead to a dismissal or a lighter outcome, but eligibility rules differ from county to county.
How is Penalty Group 1 possession graded?
| Amount (aggregate weight) | Level (Health and Safety Code 481.115) |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 gram | State jail felony |
| 1 to less than 4 grams | Third-degree felony |
| 4 to less than 200 grams | Second-degree felony |
| 200 to less than 400 grams | First-degree felony |
| 400 grams or more | Enhanced first-degree felony |
What should I do now?
- Keep every drug test and court date set as a bond condition.
- Write down how the stop and search happened: the reason given, whether you consented and who was present.
- Do not discuss the case on recorded jail calls or social media.
- Ask about program eligibility early, since some programs screen out people with prior supervision.
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
Does Denton County have a first offender drug program?
Yes. The First Offender Drug Program diverts low-risk first-time drug offenders, and the case is dismissed and eligible for expunction on completion.
Which courts run the Denton County Drug Court?
The state specialty court registry lists the 211th and 462nd District Courts.
How long is Denton County Drug Court?
It is divided into four phases, each of which must be completed before moving to the next, with random testing throughout.
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.