Criminal Courts
Tarrant County criminal courts handle criminal cases at both the felony and misdemeanor levels, providing court services, case information, records access, payment options, and specialty programs for eligible defendants. This article explains how the criminal court system is organized, which office handles different types of cases, how to locate court information, how to request records, and what information users should prepare when contacting a court office.
Criminal Court Structure
Tarrant County has separate courts for different levels of criminal cases. The county’s criminal court system includes 11 district courts that handle felony-level criminal matters and 10 county criminal courts that handle misdemeanor-level criminal matters. The Criminal Courts information page provides access to court divisions, records information, payment services, specialty programs, and other criminal court resources.
Felony cases and misdemeanor cases are handled by different court systems, and the correct office depends on the type of charge and the stage of the case. Using the correct court division helps prevent delays when requesting information, contacting a coordinator, or seeking records.
Felony Court Cases
Felony criminal matters are handled by the Tarrant County district courts. These courts operate through the Criminal District Court system located at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. Felony courts provide services related to felony criminal cases, including court proceedings, local rules, dockets, appointed counsel information, and other court documents.
The Felony Courts page lists the individual district courts, judges, locations within the Criminal Justice Center, and court telephone numbers. When contacting a felony court, users should have available information such as the court number, case details, or other identifying information connected to the criminal matter.
Misdemeanor Court Cases
County criminal courts handle misdemeanor-level criminal matters. These courts are responsible for Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases filed in the county criminal court system. The County Clerk’s Criminal Section maintains records for these courts.
The Misdemeanor Courts page provides information about the individual county criminal courts, judges, locations, and phone numbers.
Finding the Correct Court
The type of criminal charge determines which court handles the case. Felony matters generally belong to district courts, while misdemeanor matters belong to county criminal courts. Checking the court division before requesting information can help users contact the appropriate office.
For questions about a current criminal case, users may need information from the specific court handling the matter. The criminal courts system also provides access to court coordinator information for current cases through the criminal court administration resources.
Case Information Details
Having accurate case information is important when contacting a court office. Criminal court records, payment questions, and court scheduling requests may require specific information connected to the case.
Useful details may include:
Case number
Court number
Type of criminal case
Names connected to the case
Date or other information shown on court paperwork
Different offices maintain different records. Felony records and misdemeanor records are handled by separate offices, so contacting the correct department can help users receive the right information.
Criminal Docket Searches
The criminal docket search system allows users to look up available criminal docket information through Tarrant County’s official system. The Criminal Docket Search allows searches using information such as last name, first name, CID number, court, and date ranges.
When searching for a criminal docket, users should enter information as accurately as possible. Different spellings, incomplete information, or incorrect identifiers may prevent a search from returning the expected results.
Preparing Search Information
Before using a criminal docket search, users should gather the information available from court paperwork or other official documents. The search system provides fields for specific identifiers, so having complete information can make the process easier.
Users should remember that docket information and official court records serve different purposes. When legal reliance on information is required, official county records should be consulted.
Criminal Records Requests
Criminal record requests are handled according to the type of case. Felony criminal records and misdemeanor criminal records are maintained by different offices within the county court system.
For felony criminal records, the District Clerk handles records connected to district court cases. For misdemeanor criminal records, the County Clerk’s Criminal Section handles records for the county criminal courts.
Felony Records
The District Clerk maintains custody, care, and control of documents filed in district courts. Requests for copies of felony criminal case documents require case information, including the case number. Without a case number, a records research fee may apply.
The District Clerk copies information explains the information required for obtaining copies and the available copy options for court records.
Misdemeanor Records
The County Clerk’s Criminal Section maintains records for the 10 County Criminal Courts where Class A and B misdemeanor cases are filed. Users requesting misdemeanor criminal records should contact the County Clerk’s Criminal Department for assistance.
Requests for misdemeanor criminal court documents require information that identifies the case. Providing the case number and other available details can help the office locate the correct record.
Court Payments And Fines
Criminal court payment procedures depend on the type of case. The County Clerk accepts full or partial payments for county criminal court fines and traffic fines. Payment information should be reviewed using the payment schedule, which includes the due date, case number, and amount due.
The cashier’s office for county criminal court fines is located at the Tim Curry Justice Center. Payments may also be made online. Online payments may require the case number, and users should allow time for payments to be posted to the court case.
Payment Information
Before making a payment, users should confirm they are using the correct case information. Payment processing and posting times may affect when a payment appears on the court case record.
Credit and debit card payments include a convenience fee charged by the card processor. The County Clerk’s Office does not receive this processing fee.
Magistration Services
Magistration services are part of the criminal court process and involve judicial review of certain information after an arrest. The Central Magistration system provides information about magistrate courts, judges, and procedures connected with magistration.
During magistration, judges consider factors related to the alleged offense, possible pre-trial risk, financial assessments, and an arrestee’s history of appearing in court when making individualized assessments.
The Central Magistration page provides additional information about magistration services and related court questions.
Attorney Appointment Services
The Office of Attorney Appointments assists criminal judges with implementing and maintaining Tarrant County’s indigent defense plan. The office supports procedures for appointing attorneys to eligible defendants who require appointed representation.
The Office of Attorney Appointments page provides information about attorney appointment procedures, approved appointed attorneys, and related forms.
Appointment Information
Individuals seeking information about appointed counsel services should use the official court resources connected with their criminal case. The appropriate process depends on the type of case and court handling the matter.
Specialty Court Programs
Tarrant County Criminal Courts offer specialty programs designed for specific cases and circumstances. These programs include diversion and treatment-focused court programs available through the criminal court system.
Programs listed by the Criminal Courts include:
Felony Alcohol Intervention Program
Veterans Treatment Court
Mental Health Diversion Court
Reaching Independence through Self-Empowerment (RISE)
Public Safety Employee Treatment Court
Youthful Offender Diversion Alternative (YODA)
Domestic Violence Diversion Program
First Offender Drug Program
DIRECT Court Program
Some programs have application requirements and deadlines. For example, eligible participants in certain diversion programs must complete applications within 60 days of case filing.
Contacting Court Offices
Criminal court questions should be directed to the office responsible for the specific type of case or service needed. Felony records, misdemeanor records, docket questions, and court administration matters may involve different departments.
The Criminal Courts Administration office provides management support for criminal court operations and assists with questions related to court administration, records contacts, and court coordination resources.
Common Contact Needs
Felony records questions: District Clerk resources
Misdemeanor records questions: County Clerk Criminal Section
Current case scheduling information: Criminal court resources
Court administration questions: Criminal Courts Administration
Criminal Courts Offices
Criminal District Court No. 1
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 5th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196-7213
817-884-1351
Criminal District Court No. 2
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 6th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0214
817-884-1347
Criminal District Court No. 3
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 7th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0215
817-884-1356
Criminal District Court No. 4
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 8th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0216
817-884-1362
County Criminal Court No. 1
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 5th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0256
817-884-1337
County Criminal Court No. 2
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center - 6th Floor
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-1338
Criminal Courts Administration
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
817-884-3857
Office of Attorney Appointments
401 W. Belknap 5th Floor, Room 5043
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
817-884-2370
Magistrate Court
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-2812
Criminal Courts FAQs
How can I check my criminal court date in Tarrant County?
You can check available criminal court docket information through the official Tarrant County Criminal Docket Search. The search system allows users to look up information using details such as a name, CID number, court, and date range. If you are reviewing a current case, use the information shown on your official court paperwork to help locate the correct record.
Where can I find information about my felony or misdemeanor court?
The court handling a criminal case depends on the type of case. Tarrant County provides separate pages for felony courts and misdemeanor courts, including court listings and related information. Reviewing the correct court division can help you find the appropriate case information and avoid searching in the wrong section.
How do I find information about criminal court programs?
Tarrant County offers several specialty programs connected with criminal courts, including diversion and treatment-focused programs. Eligibility and application requirements vary by program. The official Specialty Programs information page provides details about available programs, including application deadlines that may apply to certain programs.
Where can I learn about magistration after an arrest?
The Central Magistration page explains information considered during magistration, including factors related to the alleged offense, financial assessments, court appearance history, and community safety considerations. The page also includes answers to common questions about magistration procedures.
How do I find information about appointed attorneys?
The Office of Attorney Appointments provides information about attorney appointment procedures for eligible defendants. The office supports the criminal courts’ appointment process and maintains information related to approved appointed attorneys and related forms.