A Statistical Analysis of Criminal Cases in Texas 2021-2025
A Deep Dive into Court Trends, Conviction Rates, and Case Outcomes in Five Major Counties
At Varghese Summersett, we believe that understanding the criminal justice system—how it actually functions, not just how it’s supposed to function—is essential for anyone facing charges in Texas. Our criminal defense attorneys defend clients in courtrooms across the state every day, and we know the difference between jurisdictions, courts, and prosecutors. This statistical analysis of criminal cases in Texas was designed to take an objective deep dive into publicly available datasets published by the Office of Court Administration and Texas A&M University along with the Public Policy Research Institute.
This analysis examines data from Texas’s five most populous counties: Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth), Bexar (San Antonio), and Collin (Plano/McKinney). We’ve analyzed court activity from January 2021 through November 2025, alongside indigent defense expenditure data from 2019 to 2023.
What we found confirms what experienced defense attorneys already know: justice in Texas is highly localized. Conviction rates, case processing speeds, sentencing patterns, and resource allocation vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next. For defendants, this means that where you’re charged can be just as important as what you’re charged with.
Caseload and Backlog Dynamics (2021-2025)
One of the most significant challenges facing Texas courts has been managing case backlogs—particularly those that accumulated during the pandemic. All five major counties have made substantial progress in reducing felony backlogs. The picture for misdemeanor courts, however, is more complicated.
Felony Caseloads: A Story of Backlog Reduction
Every county in our analysis successfully reduced its average pending felony caseload between 2021 and 2025. Harris County achieved the most dramatic reduction at 58.7%, while Tarrant County reduced its felony backlog by 55.8%.
These reductions represent thousands of cases moving through the system. For defendants, this generally means shorter wait times between arrest and resolution—though as we’ll explore later, speed isn’t always beneficial.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 12,881 | 11,048 | 9,512 | 8,431 | 7,998 | -37.9% |
| Dallas | 8,982 | 7,645 | 6,109 | 5,432 | 5,187 | -42.3% |
| Tarrant | 9,467 | 7,123 | 5,330 | 4,567 | 4,188 | -55.8% |
| Bexar | 5,892 | 5,678 | 5,401 | 5,311 | 5,220 | -11.4% |
| Collin | 3,559 | 2,890 | 2,145 | 1,987 | 1,898 | -46.7% |
Table 1: Average active felony cases by year
Bexar County’s relatively modest reduction (11.4%) stands out. While Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin all cut their backlogs by 40% or more, Bexar’s felony docket remained relatively stable throughout the period.
Visit our practice area pages: Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer, Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer, Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer, Fort Bend Criminal Defense Lawyer, Denton County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Misdemeanor Caseloads: A More Complex Picture
The misdemeanor picture is more varied. While most counties reduced their backlogs—with Tarrant County achieving a remarkable 60% reduction—Dallas County’s misdemeanor caseload actually grew by over 30% during this period.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 41,921 | 33,109 | 25,432 | 21,876 | 20,016 | -52.2% |
| Dallas | 16,462 | 18,987 | 20,111 | 21,034 | 21,730 | +32.0% |
| Tarrant | 20,875 | 15,432 | 10,987 | 9,011 | 8,293 | -60.3% |
| Bexar | 22,185 | 18,765 | 16,001 | 15,123 | 14,282 | -35.6% |
| Collin | 11,099 | 9,876 | 7,654 | 6,123 | 5,648 | -49.1% |
Table 2: Average active misdemeanor cases by year. Dallas County shows consistent year-over-year increases.
This divergence is significant for anyone facing misdemeanor charges in Dallas County. A growing backlog often means longer wait times, more court appearances, and extended periods of uncertainty for defendants.
Per Capita Analysis: Normalizing for Population
Raw case numbers can be misleading when comparing counties of vastly different sizes. Harris County (Houston) has a population of approximately 4.7 million, while Collin County has roughly 1.1 million residents. To accurately compare criminal justice activity, we normalized key metrics per 100,000 residents using 2023 population estimates.
Felony Metrics Per Capita
When adjusted for population, a different picture emerges. Dallas County has the highest rate of active felony cases per capita (656 per 100,000 residents), significantly higher than Harris County (405 per 100,000). Tarrant County leads in felony convictions per capita.
| County | Active Cases | Filings | Dispositions | Convictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 656 | 42 | 78 | 14 |
| Harris | 405 | 35 | 64 | 16 |
| Tarrant | 335 | 35 | 67 | 20 |
| Bexar | 227 | 25 | 48 | 12 |
| Collin | 215 | 28 | 32 | 9 |
Table 3: Felony court metrics per 100,000 residents (2023)
Misdemeanor Metrics Per Capita
In misdemeanor courts, Collin and Dallas counties have the highest rates of pending cases per capita. Bexar County files the most new misdemeanor cases relative to its population, while Tarrant County again leads in conviction rate.
| County | Active Cases | Filings | Dispositions | Convictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin | 768 | 69 | 74 | 21 |
| Dallas | 707 | 73 | 89 | 22 |
| Harris | 605 | 87 | 99 | 21 |
| Bexar | 604 | 99 | 125 | 26 |
| Tarrant | 503 | 93 | 110 | 39 |
Table 4: Misdemeanor court metrics per 100,000 residents (2023)
Jury Trials and Defense Spending Per Capita
Normalizing trial rates and spending reveals which counties invest the most resources and utilize jury trials most frequently.
| County | Jury Trials per 100k | Indigent Defense Spending per Capita |
|---|---|---|
| Collin | 9.1 | $6.71 |
| Dallas | 7.7 | $14.05 |
| Tarrant | 6.8 | $12.41 |
| Harris | 6.6 | $23.43 |
| Bexar | 6.5 | $9.41 |
Table 5: Felony jury trials and indigent defense spending per capita
Collin County has the highest rate of felony jury trials per capita, contrasting with raw numbers where Harris County leads in total trials. Harris County spends nearly 3.5 times more per capita on indigent defense than Collin County—a disparity we’ll explore in the context of conviction rates.
Case Processing and Clearance Rates
Clearance rate—the ratio of cases disposed to cases filed—indicates whether a court system is keeping pace with incoming cases. A rate above 100% means the court is disposing of more cases than are being filed, thereby reducing its backlog.
Felony Clearance Rates
All five counties have maintained felony clearance rates well above 100% since 2021. Dallas County’s 2024 and 2025 rates exceeding 230% are particularly notable—indicating an aggressive push to resolve pending cases.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 120.6% | 172.7% | 183.8% | 172.1% | 176.6% |
| Dallas | 175.0% | 157.0% | 188.0% | 231.6% | 237.6% |
| Tarrant | 154.5% | 160.1% | 193.7% | 171.7% | 179.7% |
| Bexar | 154.7% | 184.6% | 193.3% | 147.4% | 142.4% |
| Collin | 162.6% | 173.8% | 116.4% | 146.7% | 181.0% |
Table 6: Felony clearance rates by year
For defendants, high clearance rates can mean both faster resolutions and increased pressure to accept plea deals. When prosecutors are aggressively moving cases, the pressure to resolve—rather than litigate—intensifies.
Misdemeanor Clearance Rates
Misdemeanor clearance rates show more variation. Harris County’s rate has fluctuated significantly, dipping to 90.6% in 2025, which aligns with its slower backlog reduction in recent periods.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | 102.4% | 87.3% | 114.3% | 106.4% | 90.6% |
| Dallas | 117.3% | 141.9% | 122.1% | 111.0% | 110.7% |
| Tarrant | 126.4% | 120.2% | 117.3% | 118.1% | 104.7% |
| Bexar | 99.4% | 136.0% | 125.2% | 112.8% | 128.7% |
| Collin | 137.2% | 123.4% | 107.4% | 114.2% | 117.4% |
Table 7: Misdemeanor clearance rates by year
Time to Justice: How Long Cases Take to Resolve
The speed at which cases are resolved is a critical measure of court efficiency—and a major factor in the defendant experience. An analysis of case age at disposition reveals significant variations in the pace of justice across counties.
Speed of Resolution: County vs. Statewide Performance
The data shows a clear divide. Tarrant and Collin counties resolve cases much faster than the statewide average, while Harris County lags significantly behind.
| County | Resolved ≤ 6 Months | Resolved ≤ 12 Months | Taking > 12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 61.5% | 82.4% | 17.6% |
| Collin | 59.8% | 82.9% | 17.1% |
| STATEWIDE | 51.1% | 74.0% | 26.0% |
| Bexar | 51.1% | 71.8% | 28.2% |
| Dallas | 50.1% | 64.7% | 35.3% |
| Harris | 40.1% | 67.4% | 32.6% |
Table 8: Percentage of criminal cases disposed by age, comparing counties to the statewide average
Key Observations:
Efficiency Leaders: Tarrant and Collin counties are the most efficient, disposing of roughly 60% of their criminal cases within six months—approximately 10 percentage points faster than the statewide average.
The Harris County Backlog: Harris County is a significant outlier. Only 40% of its cases are resolved within six months, and nearly a third of disposed cases are more than a year old.
Dallas County’s Aged Cases: Over 35% of Dallas County dispositions involve cases pending for more than a year, well above the state average of 26%.
For defendants, these timelines have real consequences. Extended case pendency means prolonged uncertainty, ongoing bail conditions, potential employment difficulties, and continued legal expenses.
Conviction Rates: Where You’re Charged Matters
Perhaps the most striking finding in this analysis is the persistent disparity in conviction rates between counties. These differences have remained remarkably stable over the five-year period, suggesting they reflect fundamental differences in prosecutorial approach, court culture, or resource allocation rather than temporary fluctuations.
Felony Conviction Rates
Tarrant County consistently posts the highest felony conviction rates among the five counties, hovering near 79% in recent years. Harris County, despite being the state’s largest jurisdiction, maintains the lowest overall felony conviction rate at approximately 55%. This 24-percentage-point gap represents a significant difference in outcomes for defendants facing similar charges.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarrant | 76.6% | 77.1% | 78.5% | 78.9% | 79.1% |
| Collin | 71.7% | 64.8% | 66.5% | 63.6% | 66.8% |
| Bexar | 60.1% | 61.5% | 62.8% | 63.1% | 63.5% |
| Dallas | 61.8% | 62.1% | 62.5% | 62.0% | 61.9% |
| Harris | 53.1% | 54.0% | 54.9% | 55.2% | 55.5% |
Table 9: Felony conviction rates by year
Misdemeanor Conviction Rates
Collin County’s misdemeanor conviction rate is consistently the highest—often by a wide margin—reaching 65% in 2025. Harris County’s rate remains the lowest at approximately 31%.
| County | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin | 60.1% | 62.5% | 64.0% | 64.8% | 65.1% |
| Tarrant | 48.2% | 47.1% | 46.0% | 45.8% | 45.5% |
| Bexar | 35.5% | 37.1% | 38.9% | 39.5% | 40.1% |
| Dallas | 34.1% | 34.8% | 35.5% | 35.9% | 36.0% |
| Harris | 29.8% | 30.1% | 30.8% | 31.0% | 31.2% |
Table 10: Misdemeanor conviction rates by year
Offense-Specific Analysis: Not All Cases Are Created Equal
Aggregate statistics tell only part of the story. When we examine specific offense categories, we see that county-wide trends often mask significant variations in how different types of cases are handled.
Violent Felony Caseloads
Harris and Dallas counties carry the largest active caseloads for violent offenses, which is expected given their population. The table below shows average pending cases for major violent felony categories from 2023-2025.
| Offense Type | Bexar | Collin | Dallas | Harris | Tarrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Assault | 1,155 | 727 | 2,619 | 3,679 | 1,714 |
| Capital Murder | 52 | 17 | 150 | 319 | 136 |
| Family Violence Assault | 399 | 39 | 813 | 2,789 | 944 |
| Sexual Assault | 388 | 204 | 818 | 1,422 | 631 |
| Murder | 158 | 15 | 444 | 639 | 184 |
Table 11: Average active violent felony cases, 2023–2025
Changes in Violent Crime Backlogs (2021 vs. 2025)
Examining the change in backlogs for specific offenses reveals divergent patterns:
Harris County achieved major reductions in violent crime backlogs, including a 65.2% decrease in pending Family Violence Assault cases and a 48.7% decrease in Aggravated Assault cases.
Dallas County shows a notable and concerning divergence. While its overall felony backlog decreased, the number of pending Family Violence and Sexual Assault cases increased dramatically—163.7% and 175.3% respectively. This means victims of these crimes in Dallas County are waiting longer for resolution, and defendants face extended periods of uncertainty.
Tarrant, Bexar, and Collin counties generally saw reductions across most violent crime categories.
Conviction Rates by Offense Type
Conviction rates vary dramatically not just by county but by the type of offense. Murder cases consistently see high conviction rates across all jurisdictions—typically 70% or higher. However, rates for Aggravated Assault and Sexual Assault cases show much wider variation.
| Offense | Bexar | Collin | Dallas | Harris | Tarrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 83.6% | 75.6% | 77.7% | 69.2% | 72.5% |
| Aggravated Assault | 45.6% | 35.2% | 51.9% | 40.6% | 62.0% |
| Sexual Assault | 39.4% | 27.2% | 40.4% | 32.4% | 50.7% |
Table 12: Average felony conviction rates for select offenses, 2023–2025
Tarrant County’s conviction rates for aggravated assault (62.0%) and sexual assault (50.7%) are notably higher than other jurisdictions. Collin County, despite its high overall conviction rate, has the lowest conviction rate for sexual assault cases (27.2%).
Misdemeanor Case Distribution
The composition of misdemeanor dockets also differs by county. Theft and DWI cases represent a large portion of the caseload in most jurisdictions.
| Offense | Bexar | Collin | Dallas | Harris | Tarrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assault – Other | 795 | 315 | 1,513 | 1,247 | 514 |
| DWI – Second Offense | 409 | 281 | 581 | 938 | 334 |
| Drug Possession – Marijuana | 244 | 736 | 460 | 210 | 916 |
| Theft | 876 | 1,361 | 1,803 | 1,468 | 871 |
Table 13: Average active misdemeanor cases by offense type, 2023–2025
Notable here is the variation in marijuana possession cases. Tarrant County (916) and Collin County (736) have significantly more pending marijuana cases than Harris County (210), despite Harris County’s much larger population. This suggests different enforcement and prosecution priorities.
Sentencing Patterns: Incarceration vs. Community Supervision
An examination of sentencing data reveals fundamental differences in how justice is administered across jurisdictions, with wide disparities in the use of incarceration versus community supervision.
| County | Incarceration Rate | Community Supervision Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Collin | 60.0% | 38.0% |
| Dallas | 57.0% | 30.0% |
| Tarrant | 55.0% | 59.0% |
| STATEWIDE | 47.0% | 48.0% |
| Harris | 42.0% | 60.0% |
| Bexar | 40.0% | 28.0% |
Table 14: Comparison of sentences involving incarceration vs. community supervision
Key Observations:
Incarceration-Heavy Counties: Collin and Dallas counties have the highest incarceration rates, sentencing a significantly larger percentage of defendants to prison or state jail compared to the statewide average. In Collin County, 60% of sentences result in incarceration.
Community Supervision Leaders: Harris and Tarrant counties rely most heavily on community supervision, with around 60% of their sentences involving probation or deferred adjudication—well above the state average of 48%.
Bexar County’s Unique Pattern: Bexar County has the lowest rate of both incarceration (40%) and community supervision (28%) among the major counties, suggesting a greater reliance on other disposition types.
Indigent Defense Funding: The Resource Gap
The resources allocated to indigent defense—legal representation for those who cannot afford an attorney—vary dramatically across Texas counties. This variation correlates with meaningful differences in case outcomes.
Cost Per Case
The gap between Harris and Dallas counties is particularly striking. Harris County spends over $1,100 per felony case on indigent defense; Dallas County spends approximately $378—less than one-third as much.
| County | Type | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | Felony | $785 | $851 | $1,286 | $1,162 | $1,192 |
| Dallas | Felony | $497 | $462 | $326 | $332 | $378 |
| Harris | Misdemeanor | $278 | $376 | $427 | $494 | $639 |
| Dallas | Misdemeanor | $113 | $109 | $96 | $104 | $107 |
Table 15: Cost per case comparison, Harris vs. Dallas counties
The Spending-Conviction Correlation
Our analysis reveals a consistent pattern: counties that spend more per case on indigent defense tend to have lower conviction rates. Harris County, which leads in per-case felony defense spending, also has the lowest felony conviction rate. Conversely, counties with more moderate per-case expenditures tend to have higher conviction rates.
This correlation does not establish causation—there are many variables at play. However, it does underscore the importance of adequate defense resources in the criminal justice system. When defense attorneys have more resources to investigate cases, hire experts, and prepare for trial, outcomes tend to be more favorable for defendants.
What This Means for Defendants
If you’re facing criminal charges in Texas, this data highlights several critical realities:
Location matters significantly. The same charge can result in dramatically different outcomes depending on which county prosecutes your case. A felony defendant in Tarrant County faces a 79% conviction rate; the same defendant in Harris County faces a 55% rate. That 24-point difference is substantial.
Speed varies widely. If you’re charged in Tarrant or Collin County, there’s a 60% chance your case will be resolved within six months. In Harris County, that drops to 40%, with a third of cases taking over a year.
Sentencing philosophy differs by jurisdiction. A conviction in Collin County is more likely to result in incarceration (60%) than one in Harris County (42%). Tarrant County balances high conviction rates with high rates of community supervision.
Experience in local courts is invaluable. An attorney who understands the specific tendencies, policies, and culture of the courts where your case will be heard has a meaningful advantage. At Varghese Summersett, our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys appear in Tarrant, Dallas, and surrounding county courtrooms daily, giving us insight into local practices that general statistics cannot capture.
Aggregate statistics don’t predict individual outcomes. While county-wide conviction rates provide useful context, every case is unique. A skilled defense attorney examines the specific facts, evidence, and circumstances of your case—not just the statistical averages.
Conclusion
This analysis of nearly five years of Texas court data reveals a criminal justice system that is highly variable across jurisdictions. While all five major counties have made progress reducing felony backlogs, significant disparities persist in conviction rates, case processing times, sentencing patterns, and resource allocation.
The data shows that:
Tarrant County resolves cases fastest but has the highest felony conviction rate. Collin County has the highest incarceration rate and misdemeanor conviction rate. Harris County moves slowest but has the lowest conviction rates and highest community supervision rate. Dallas County’s misdemeanor backlog continues to grow while certain violent felony backlogs have increased dramatically.
For anyone facing criminal charges, these differences underscore the importance of working with defense counsel who understand not just the law, but the specific courts and prosecutors handling your case. At Varghese Summersett, our team of former prosecutors and board-certified criminal defense attorneys brings that localized expertise to every case we handle.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Tarrant County, Dallas, or anywhere in Texas, contact our office for a consultation. Understanding the system is the first step toward the best possible outcome.
Methodology and Data Sources
This analysis is based on publicly available data from the Texas Office of Court Administration and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. Court activity data covers January 2021 through November 2025. Indigent defense expenditure data covers fiscal years 2019 through 2023. Population data uses 2023 estimates from the Texas Demographic Center.
Important limitations: Case categories are broad (“felony” and “misdemeanor”) and mask variations in complexity. Disposition data does not provide context for outcomes—dismissals, for example, can occur for many reasons including witness issues, evidence problems, or successful completion of diversion programs. Sentencing percentages may not total 100% due to other disposition types not captured in the primary categories.
