Criminal defense for Terrell cases
In short: Class C tickets from Terrell go to the Terrell Municipal Court at 1100 N. State Highway 34, Terrell 75160. DWI, family violence, drug and felony cases go to the Kaufman 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 Terrell, but we defend people charged in Terrell and across Kaufman County.
Which court will hear my Terrell case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Terrell Municipal Court (Terrell Police Headquarters), 1100 N. State Highway 34, Terrell 75160 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | the Kaufman County Courts at Law | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the 86th, 422nd and 489th 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 Terrell is not a municipal court case. It goes to the Kaufman County courts at the Kaufman County Justice Center, 1902 E. US Hwy 175, Kaufman 75142. The Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney's Office, on the second floor of the Justice Center, prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies.
What happens after an arrest in Terrell?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond and conditions. Whether an arrest happens in Forney, Terrell or Kaufman, county-level criminal cases are heard at the Justice Center in Kaufman.
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 Kaufman County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Terrell cases
A protective order from a Terrell incident is usually filed in Kaufman County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read the Kaufman 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 Terrell?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Terrell and the rest of Kaufman County.
Is a DWI in Terrell handled by the municipal court?
No. The Terrell Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor, so it goes to the Kaufman County courts.
Where is the Terrell municipal court?
Terrell Municipal Court (Terrell Police Headquarters), 1100 N. State Highway 34, Terrell 75160.
Where is a protective order from Terrell 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 Kaufman 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.