District Attorney

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office handles criminal prosecution, civil legal matters for county officials, victim services, and other justice-related functions for residents and the county government. This article explains the role of the District Attorney, the services provided by the office, the divisions that handle different matters, how to contact the correct department, and what information may be needed when seeking assistance.

District Attorney Office Role

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for enforcing criminal and civil laws while supporting public safety and public trust. The office’s mission is to enhance public safety through ethical, honest, and just enforcement of criminal and civil laws, encourage rehabilitation for appropriate offenders, maintain transparency, and assist victims of crime and other members of the public.

The office is led by Phil Sorrells, District Attorney. The office handles a wide range of legal matters throughout the county, including criminal cases and civil legal services for county officials and administrators. More information about the office mission, leadership, and structure is available through the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

Criminal prosecution is one of the office’s primary responsibilities. Each year, the District Attorney’s Office handles thousands of cases involving offenses ranging from serious felony matters to misdemeanor charges. These cases are assigned across felony and misdemeanor courts, where prosecutors represent the state in criminal proceedings.

Services Provided

The District Attorney’s Office provides several types of services through different divisions and specialized units. Residents may need to contact different areas of the office depending on the type of matter involved.

The office’s work includes:

Criminal prosecution of cases filed in county courts.
Civil legal support for Tarrant County elected officials and administrators.
Investigation and preparation of criminal cases.
Victim services and assistance for individuals affected by crime.
Programs and initiatives related to justice, rehabilitation, and public education.

The District Attorney’s Office also provides public information through publications, community programs, and trial information. These materials help residents understand current office activities and the criminal justice process.

Office Divisions

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office is organized into five main divisions: Criminal, Civil, Investigation, Operations, and Chief of Staff. Each division includes specialized units that handle different responsibilities within the office.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division handles prosecution-related matters involving criminal cases. Units within this division include felony, misdemeanor, narcotics, special victims, mental health, juvenile, gang, financial fraud, and other prosecution areas.

Because criminal cases vary significantly in type and complexity, the office assigns matters to specialized teams that focus on particular areas of criminal law. This structure allows prosecutors and support staff to handle cases involving different charges and legal requirements.

Civil Division

The Civil Division provides legal advice and representation for Tarrant County elected officials and appointed administrators. Attorneys in this division serve as general counsel for county government matters and provide guidance on a variety of legal issues affecting county operations.

Investigation Division

The Investigation Division supports the office’s legal work by assisting with investigative responsibilities related to criminal cases. Investigators work alongside prosecutors and other office staff during case preparation.

Other Office Units

The District Attorney’s Office includes additional units that support specific public safety and justice functions. These include Conviction Integrity, Deferred Prosecution Program, Grand Jury, Protective Orders, Victim Services, Worthless Checks, and other specialized areas.

A complete list of office divisions and units is available through the District Attorney divisions information.

Criminal Case Information

People looking for information about a criminal matter should understand that the District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution, while other county offices may maintain court records, case filings, or other official documents.

The District Attorney’s Office works with criminal cases after charges are filed and handles prosecution responsibilities. Questions about a specific criminal case may require information such as the defendant’s name, court information, or other identifying details connected with the case.

Residents should use the correct office for their specific need. The District Attorney’s Office may provide information about prosecution-related matters, while official court records and other legal documents are maintained through the appropriate county court offices.

Victim Services

The District Attorney’s Office assists victims of crime through services designed to provide information and support during the criminal justice process. The office includes a Victim Services unit that helps address needs connected with criminal cases.

Victims or family members seeking assistance should contact the District Attorney’s Office and provide available case information. Having details such as the case name, court information, or related documents may help staff identify the correct matter.

Trial Information

The District Attorney’s Office publishes information about upcoming trials through its trial information section. These listings provide details about selected cases scheduled for trial, including court information, charges, and case status information.

Trial schedules can change as cases move through the court process. Residents reviewing trial information should rely on current official information from the District Attorney’s Office and official court records when available.

The office’s current trial listings can be viewed through This Week’s Trials information.

Community Programs

The District Attorney’s Office provides community education programs designed to help residents better understand the criminal justice system. These programs include opportunities for members of the public to learn about prosecution, investigations, and court processes.

The Citizen Prosecutor Academy provides an educational program where prosecutors and investigators discuss topics related to criminal justice. The program is open to the public and provides information about how the justice system operates.

The office also offers Speakers on the Road, allowing community groups to request speakers on selected topics when available. Details about these programs are provided through the office’s community outreach programs.

Contacting The Office

The District Attorney’s Office provides several contact options depending on the type of question. General inquiries can be directed to the main office number, while specific divisions may have separate phone numbers for their responsibilities.

Before contacting the office, gather relevant information about the matter. Helpful details may include:

Name of the person involved in the case.
Case-related information available to the caller.
Court information or documents connected with the matter.
The reason for contacting the office.

Providing accurate information helps office staff direct questions to the appropriate division or unit.

Internship Information

The District Attorney’s Office oversees summer and post-bar internship opportunities for law school students. Interns may participate in legal activities such as trial preparation, reviewing case materials, observing trials, and learning about criminal justice operations.

Applicants must provide required application materials, including a cover letter, resume, official transcript, references, and an internship application form. Applications are submitted to the District Attorney’s Office internship committee.

Publications And Updates

The District Attorney’s Office publishes updates, press releases, annual reports, and newsletters to share information about office activities. These publications may include announcements about criminal cases, community initiatives, and other office matters.

Residents seeking official updates from the office can review the District Attorney publications.

Common Contact Mistakes

Many questions involving the criminal justice system involve multiple county offices. Contacting the wrong office may delay receiving the information needed.

Common mistakes include:

Using a court record system when seeking information about a District Attorney service.

Providing incomplete case details when asking about a specific matter.

Assuming all criminal records, court documents, and prosecution information are maintained by the same office.

Using outdated contact information instead of current official office information.

Identifying the type of assistance needed before contacting an office can help residents reach the correct department.

District Attorney Offices

Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office
Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 West Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76196
817-884-1400

District Attorney FAQs

How can I find information about a criminal case handled by the District Attorney’s Office?

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office provides prosecution-related information and publishes selected case updates through official county resources. If you are looking for current trial information, the office provides This Week's Trials information, which includes available details about scheduled cases. Court records and official filings may be maintained through other county offices, so the correct source depends on the type of information needed.

What divisions can help with different legal matters?

The District Attorney’s Office is organized into five divisions: Criminal, Civil, Investigation, Operations, and Chief of Staff. These divisions include specialized units that handle different responsibilities, including felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, mental health, financial fraud, narcotics, protective orders, and victim-related services. Residents can review the office structure through the official District Attorney divisions page to understand which area may relate to their question.

Where can victims find information and support during a criminal case?

The District Attorney’s Office provides victim-related assistance through its Victim Services unit. The office also shares public information about criminal justice topics, community programs, and case updates. Individuals seeking information connected with a criminal matter may need case details or other available information to help staff identify the appropriate service area.

How can residents learn about District Attorney community programs?

The office offers public education opportunities through programs such as the Citizen Prosecutor Academy and Speakers on the Road. These programs provide information about criminal justice operations and allow community members or groups to learn more about related topics. Details about available programs are listed on the official District Attorney community outreach programs page.