Our Fort Worth Criminal Defense Team Features Board Certified Specialists and Former Prosecutors
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, or are under investigation, who you hire matters. Our team is made up of criminal practitioners who have put decades into honing their craft. We are home to five Board Certified specialists in criminal law — three Board Certified in Criminal Law specifically and two Board Certified in Juvenile Law. This is the highest designation afforded to lawyers in Texas who handle these cases, held by fewer than 10% of Texas attorneys in any specialty.
All of our partners in the criminal division have served as prosecutors previously — specifically in Tarrant County. We came up in the ranks alongside the current judges. We are in these courtrooms every day.
Fort Worth is Our Turf: A Criminal Defense Team at Home in Tarrant County
Varghese Summersett is located at 300 Throckmorton Street in downtown Fort Worth, just two blocks from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and seven blocks from the Eldon B. Mahon Federal Courthouse. When you’re facing criminal charges in Tarrant County, proximity to the courthouse matters. Our attorneys walk to court. They know what every judge is looking for, the weaknesses of every prosecutor, and every hallway in the buildings where your case will be decided.
Our downtown Fort Worth headquarters puts us where decisions are made. Our criminal defense team works steps away from where cases are filed, bonds are set, and trials are held. This isn’t just convenient; it’s strategic. We’re in the courthouse before court starts, building relationships and staying current on local practices that can make or break your case.
Board Certified in Criminal Law: What It Means for Your Case
Varghese Summersett has five attorneys who have earned Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an achievement held by fewer than 10% of Texas lawyers in any specialty. Three are Board Certified in Criminal Law: Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett, and Letty Martinez. Two are Board Certified in Juvenile Law: Lisa Herrick and Audrey Hatcher.
Board Certification isn’t just a title. It designates these attorneys as legal experts in criminal defense under Texas law. They have demonstrated substantial experience, passed rigorous specialty examinations, maintained continuous legal education, and earned peer recognition for their competence and ethics. When you hire a Board Certified criminal defense lawyer, you’re hiring someone the State Bar of Texas has verified as an expert — not merely a practitioner who handles criminal cases among other work.
No other Fort Worth criminal defense firm can match this concentration of certified expertise. When the stakes include your freedom, your career, and your record, that distinction matters.
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Former Prosecutors — We Know How the Other Side Builds Cases
Our team has worked the other side — both at the state and federal level. That experience doesn’t just look good on a résumé. It fundamentally changes how we approach your defense.
Every criminal case starts with a theory the prosecution is building toward. They select which evidence to present, which witnesses to call, and which facts to emphasize to make their narrative stick. Our former prosecutors built those same narratives for years. They know exactly how prosecutors sequence evidence to create the impression of guilt, which weaknesses get buried in discovery, and which arguments land with local juries versus which ones fall flat in a Tarrant County courtroom.
When our attorneys review your case, they aren’t just looking for what helps you — they’re simultaneously stress-testing the prosecution’s case the way a senior prosecutor would before trial. That dual perspective catches things single-track defense attorneys miss: a witness statement that doesn’t match the timeline, a chain of custody gap in forensic evidence, an affidavit that misrepresents what the officer actually observed.
Our former prosecutors also have relationships. They know the prosecutors currently handling felony dockets in Tarrant County — not from across the aisle, but from working alongside them in the same offices. They understand how individual prosecutors approach negotiations, which supervisors have to approve what kinds of deals, and when pushing back is more likely to get results than accepting an initial offer.
When you’re facing criminal charges, you want attorneys who have been on both sides of the courtroom. That perspective is earned, not taught.
Recognized Excellence in Fort Worth Criminal Defense
Varghese Summersett has been named to Best Law Firms for Criminal Defense: General Practice in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2022, 2023, and 2026, a peer-reviewed ranking that specifically recognizes the firm’s criminal defense work in this region. Best Lawyers has designated the firm as “Top Listed in Fort Worth – Criminal Defense,” indicating that more attorneys from Varghese Summersett are listed for Fort Worth criminal defense than any other firm.
Multiple attorneys are individually listed in Best Lawyers in America for criminal defense and white-collar defense, including founding partner Benson Varghese. The firm’s criminal defense lawyers have earned Super Lawyers and Rising Stars recognitions, and 17 firm attorneys were named to Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Attorneys list in 2025. 360 West Magazine has also recognized firm attorneys in its peer-reviewed Top Attorneys designation for criminal defense.
Award-Winning Legal Excellence
Fort Worth Criminal Defense Firm: Awards & Community Recognition
Our commitment to Fort Worth extends beyond the courtroom. In 2023, Varghese Summersett received the Fort Worth Chamber Small Business of the Year award at the Mayor’s State of the City event, recognizing exemplary entrepreneurship and business practices. The firm has been named Best Company to Work For in Fort Worth by Fort Worth Inc. multiple years running and recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents for family-friendly workplace policies.
Community recognition includes the Richard L. Knight Rotary Minority Business Award (1st Place) from Fort Worth Rotary for minority-owned business excellence and the TVAS Pro Bono Law Firm Partner Award from Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services for our commitment to serving those who cannot afford representation. We’ve earned DFW Favorites Gold Winner status from regional readers who know the firm’s reputation firsthand.
Founding partner Benson Varghese was named a 2025 Entrepreneur of Excellence by Fort Worth Inc., and partner Anna Summersett has received Forty Under Forty and Entrepreneur of Excellence finalist honors from Fort Worth business publications. These aren’t just awards. They’re proof that our firm is deeply rooted in Fort Worth’s business and civic community.
What Do Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?
Our criminal defense lawyers represents people accused of crimes, from the moment of arrest through trial and appeal if necessary. But for us the job involves far more than showing up in court. A skilled criminal defense attorney investigates the facts independently, challenges the prosecution’s evidence, negotiates with prosecutors, and protects the constitutional rights that stand between an accused person and the full power of the government.
Our goal in every case is to outwork the prosecution. The work includes analyzing police reports for constitutional violations, reviewing body camera and surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, hiring expert witnesses when needed, filing motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, and preparing cases for trial.
The Importance of a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer
The difference between a good criminal defense lawyer and an average one can be the difference between freedom and prison, between a clean record and a conviction that follows you forever. Criminal cases are not places to cut corners.
A good criminal defense lawyer brings experience that translates into pattern recognition. They’ve seen how cases like yours typically unfold. They know which arguments work with which judges. They understand how local prosecutors approach negotiations. They can spot issues that less experienced lawyers miss entirely.
The best criminal defense lawyers also bring resources. Complex cases require investigation, expert witnesses, and extensive preparation. A lawyer who handles serious criminal cases regularly has the infrastructure to mount a real defense, not just go through the motions.
Perhaps most importantly, a good criminal defense lawyer provides honest counsel. They tell you when the evidence is strong against you and when the state’s case has holes. They help you make informed decisions about whether to fight or negotiate. They prepare you for what’s coming so nothing in the process catches you off guard.
The stakes in criminal cases are simply too high for anything less. A felony conviction can cost you your job, your professional license, your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and years of your life. Even misdemeanor convictions create permanent records that show up on background checks for decades. The cost of good representation pales compared to the cost of a conviction that could have been avoided.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett for a Criminal Case in Fort Worth
Choosing a criminal defense firm in Fort Worth comes down to three factors: expertise, local knowledge, and resources. Varghese Summersett leads in all three.
Expertise: Five Board Certified attorneys means you’re hiring lawyers the State Bar of Texas has verified as experts. Three are Board Certified in Criminal Law. Two are Board Certified in Juvenile Law. This level of certified expertise is unmatched by any other Fort Worth criminal defense firm. Add the former prosecutors on staff who know how the other side thinks, and you have a team that understands criminal law from every angle.
Local Knowledge: Our office sits two blocks from the Tarrant County courthouse. Our attorneys appear in these courts daily. They know the judges’ preferences, the prosecutors’ tendencies, and the local practices that vary from courtroom to courtroom. This isn’t knowledge you can get from a book or a CLE seminar. It comes from years of practicing in these specific courts, which our team has done for over a decade.
Resources: With 70+ team members, we have the infrastructure to handle cases properly. We don’t farm out investigation or lean on overworked staff. We have dedicated investigators, experienced paralegals, and the technology to review voluminous discovery efficiently. When your case requires expert witnesses, forensic analysis, or extensive preparation, we have the capacity to deliver.
Our track record confirms the approach works. Over 700 jury trials. More than 1,600 dismissals. Recognition from Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and every major legal ranking organization. But the real measure is what happens for individual clients facing individual charges in Tarrant County courts. That’s where our preparation, expertise, and local knowledge translate into outcomes that change lives.
Understanding Tarrant County Bonds: Our Deep Dive Into Local Data
Most law firms tell you they know the local courts. We prove it. Varghese Summersett conducted an extensive analysis of 52,320 bonds set in Tarrant County from January through December 2025 to understand exactly how magistrates handle different offenses. This research helps us advise clients accurately about what to expect and how to prepare.
Across all 52,320 cases, the average bond in Tarrant County was $8,790.72, but that number can be misleading. The median bond was just $1,500, and the most commonly set bond amount was $500. While serious felonies drive up the average, most people arrested in Tarrant County face bonds they can reasonably post. Expand any offense category below for a full breakdown.
Drug Offense Bonds
Drug charges account for the largest category of arrests in Tarrant County, with 11,629 cases in our dataset. The most common drug offense is possession of marijuana under 2 ounces (3,153 cases), where the typical bond is just $500 and the average is $622. Possession of a controlled substance (penalty group 1, under 1 gram) accounts for 2,496 cases with bonds typically set at $1,500. As quantities increase, so do bonds: possession of 4 to 200 grams of a penalty group 1 substance averages $20,105 with bonds commonly set at $10,000.
DWI & Intoxication Bonds
DWI and intoxication offenses represent 6,015 cases. First-offense DWI bonds average $3,178, with the most common bond being $500. This relatively low bond reflects that most DWI defendants are employed, have community ties, and pose minimal flight risk. However, felony DWI (third offense or with a child passenger) and intoxication assault or manslaughter carry significantly higher bonds.
Assault & Violent Crime Bonds
Assault and violent crime cases (6,481 total) carry higher bonds, averaging $20,346 with a typical bond of $10,000. Simple assault cases see lower bonds, while aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence cases trigger higher amounts. Continuous violence against the family (361 cases) averages $13,178 with bonds typically set at $5,000.
Theft & Property Crime Bonds
Theft and property offenses (6,958 cases) vary widely based on value. Theft of property valued $100–$750 (1,920 cases) typically carries a $500 bond. Burglary of a habitation averages $25,974 with bonds commonly set at $10,000. Aggravated robbery (257 cases) averages $87,169 with $50,000 being the most common bond amount.
Sexual Offense Bonds
Sexual offenses (846 cases) carry the highest average bonds after homicide, averaging $69,920 with typical bonds of $10,000. These cases receive heightened scrutiny from magistrates, and bonds often include conditions restricting contact with alleged victims and limiting internet access.
Murder & Homicide Bonds
Murder charges (71 cases) average $445,000 with bonds most commonly set at $100,000. Capital murder cases involving multiple victims or committed during another felony average over $1 million. One capital murder case involving a child under 10 years old carried a $10 million bond.
Why This Bond Data Matters
Understanding bond patterns helps us serve clients better. When someone calls from jail at 2 AM, we can tell them realistically what bond to expect based on actual Tarrant County data, not guesswork. We know which magistrates tend toward lower bonds, which grant personal bonds more frequently, and how bond amounts have shifted throughout the year. This knowledge translates into better advice and faster release times for our clients.
What to Expect If You Have a Criminal Case in Tarrant County
Our analysis extends beyond bond data. We’ve studied Tarrant County court statistics from 2021–2025 to help clients understand realistic timelines and what factors affect how long cases take. In 2025 alone, Tarrant County processed approximately 26,023 misdemeanor cases and 24,643 felony cases, totaling over 50,000 criminal cases per year.
Misdemeanor Case Timelines
If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge in Tarrant County, here’s what the 2025 data shows:
- 27.7% of cases (about 7,200 cases) resolved within 30 days. These are typically simple cases with plea agreements, often involving first-time offenders or defendants who accept deferred adjudication quickly.
- 51.1% of cases resolved within 90 days. This includes straightforward cases with clear evidence and defendants who have legal representation.
- 48.9% of cases (nearly 12,700 cases) took more than 90 days. These include complex cases, cases going to trial, and cases with multiple court settings or continuances.
Realistic expectation for most misdemeanors: 3–6 months from arrest to resolution, with 3–5 court appearances and multiple opportunities for plea negotiations.
Felony Case Timelines
Felony cases in Tarrant County move faster than many people expect:
- 53.5% of felony cases (over 13,000 cases) resolved within 90 days. This often involves plea agreements in cases with strong evidence where defendants accept responsibility.
- 75.6% of cases resolved within 6 months, including most straightforward felony cases with completed discovery.
- 90% of cases resolved within one year, including cases with pre-trial motions and moderate complexity.
- Only 10% of cases (about 2,400 cases) took more than a year. These are very complex cases, trials, or cases with extensive evidence or multiple defendants.
Realistic expectation for most felonies: 6–12 months from indictment to resolution, with 4–8 court appearances, grand jury process, discovery, and plea negotiations.
The Numbers That Matter
Experience in criminal defense is measured in cases won, not years practiced. Our criminal defense team has completed more than 700 jury trials and secured over 1,600 case dismissals, much of it in Tarrant County courts. These numbers represent real people who kept their freedom, their jobs, and their futures because of the work done in this office.
With over 1,100 five-star Google reviews, our reputation is built on results and client experience. These reviews tell stories of people facing everything from first-time misdemeanors to capital murder charges who found attorneys who fought for them at every stage.
Comprehensive Criminal Defense Practice Areas
The criminal defense attorneys at Varghese Summersett handle every type of criminal charge in both state and federal court. Our practice includes DWI defense, sexual assault cases, drug charges, federal crimes, juvenile defense, theft, assault, aggravated assault, child sexual assault, online solicitation, white collar crimes, intoxication manslaughter, and improper relationships with students.
We also connect clients with Tarrant County diversion programs when applicable, helping first-time offenders avoid permanent criminal records through programs like DWI Court, Domestic Violence Diversion, and pre-trial intervention.
Protecting More Than Your Freedom
A criminal charge threatens far more than jail time. Varghese Summersett fights to protect clients’ reputations, careers, professional licenses, voting rights, and gun rights. We work to minimize disruption to families and employment while seeking outcomes that keep permanent marks off criminal records. Our defense extends beyond courtroom victories to address collateral consequences impacting housing, employment, and family relationships.
State and Federal Court Defense
Our attorneys hold licenses in all four federal districts in Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Whether facing charges at the Eldon B. Mahon Federal Courthouse or in Tarrant County Criminal Court, clients receive the same relentless representation from attorneys experienced in both systems.
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Criminal Defense Experience Throughout Fort Worth Neighborhoods
Varghese Summersett defends criminal cases throughout Fort Worth’s diverse neighborhoods and entertainment districts. Our clients come from every corner of Tarrant County — from exclusive estates to the bars and restaurants where a night out can turn into a criminal charge. Click any neighborhood below to learn more about criminal cases in that area.
Entertainment Districts & Nightlife
Downtown Fort Worth & Sundance Square
The heart of Fort Worth’s nightlife, dining, and entertainment. High-rise condos and lofts attract urban professionals who enjoy walkability to restaurants, bars, and offices. The concentration of nightlife means Downtown sees a high volume of DWI arrests, public intoxication charges, and assault cases stemming from bar altercations. If you were cited or arrested in the Sundance Square area, you are likely facing Tarrant County court proceedings at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center — two blocks from our office.
West 7th Street Corridor
One of Fort Worth’s most popular entertainment districts, packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs. The 7th Street area generates significant criminal defense work, particularly DWI cases as patrons leave venues late at night and assault charges from disputes inside or outside establishments. The area’s density of alcohol-serving establishments means TABC investigations and intoxication-related charges are common, and law enforcement presence on weekends is substantial.
Near Southside & Magnolia Avenue
An artsy, rapidly growing district anchored by the medical center and Magnolia Avenue’s mix of historic homes, new apartments, restaurants, and nightlife. The neighborhood’s popularity with young professionals means active nightlife and corresponding criminal cases, including DWI, minor in possession, drug possession, and assault. Residents who work in the nearby medical district sometimes face professional license consequences when charged with criminal offenses — a collateral consequence we work aggressively to address.
Stockyards
A National Historic District famous for Western heritage, daily cattle drives, honky tonks, and Billy Bob’s — the world’s largest honky tonk. The Stockyards blend cowboy culture, tourism, and authentic Fort Worth nightlife. The entertainment density results in DWI, public intoxication, and assault cases, particularly on weekends and during major events. Out-of-town visitors who pick up charges here often need an attorney who can handle the case locally without requiring them to return for every setting.
Clearfork
Fort Worth’s upscale mixed-use development along the Trinity River featuring high-end shopping, restaurants, and residential options. The area’s restaurants and bars attract an affluent clientele, and criminal charges here often involve professionals with significant careers at stake. A DWI or drug charge for someone with a professional license — a doctor, nurse, attorney, or CPA — carries consequences far beyond the criminal penalty itself. We handle those collateral professional licensing issues alongside the criminal defense.
Residential Neighborhoods
TCU, Westcliff & Bluebonnet Hills
The neighborhoods surrounding Texas Christian University draw families, students, and faculty seeking a close-in residential feel. The mix of college students and families produces a range of criminal cases — from minor in possession and fake ID charges among students to more serious offenses. For TCU students, a criminal charge can also trigger university disciplinary proceedings that operate on a separate track from the criminal case. We handle both simultaneously to protect the student’s academic standing and criminal record at the same time.
Fairmount
Historic district just south of downtown with early-1900s homes, walkable to Magnolia Avenue restaurants and bars. Popular with young professionals and families, it’s one of the largest historic neighborhoods in the Southwest. Fairmount’s proximity to Magnolia Avenue nightlife makes it a common end point for nights that result in DWI stops, public intoxication charges, or domestic violence calls — the latter of which can result in arrest even when neither party requests it under Texas mandatory arrest policies.
Arlington Heights
West of downtown near the Cultural District with tree-lined streets, bungalows, and Tudor-style homes. Strong community feel, popular with professionals and families who value proximity to museums, parks, and restaurants. When criminal charges arise in Arlington Heights — whether domestic violence, drug possession, or a DWI coming home from the Cultural District — the impact on family life, employment, and community standing makes fast, effective representation especially important.
Tanglewood
South of I-30 along the Trinity Trails with larger homes, top-rated public schools, and abundant parks. One of Fort Worth’s most sought-after family neighborhoods. Criminal charges for Tanglewood residents — particularly white collar offenses, drug possession, or DWI — frequently involve professionals whose careers and community reputations are on the line. Protecting those interests alongside the criminal case is a priority we take seriously.
Monticello & Mistletoe Heights
Near the Cultural District and Medical District with older, well-kept homes walkable to parks and museums. With the Medical District nearby, many residents are healthcare workers whose professional licenses are directly affected by a criminal conviction — including charges that might seem minor in isolation, such as a Class A misdemeanor assault or a drug offense. We routinely work alongside professional license defense counsel when client careers are at risk.
Rivercrest
Historic luxury area near the River Crest Country Club with large estates and river views — one of Fort Worth’s priciest and most prestigious neighborhoods. Clients from Rivercrest often face charges where the collateral consequences — a firearms rights issue, a professional license, a security clearance, or a public reputation — dwarf the criminal penalty itself. Discretion, thoroughness, and the ability to handle high-profile cases without creating unnecessary exposure are qualities we bring to every case.
Westover Hills
Small, ultra-affluent enclave with large estates and heavy tree cover — one of Fort Worth’s most private and exclusive areas, home to some of the city’s most prominent residents. Criminal charges for Westover Hills residents frequently involve complex financial matters, regulatory issues, or high-profile circumstances where managing the investigation before charges are filed is as important as the defense itself. Our team handles pre-charge representation and federal investigation response in addition to traditional defense work.
Oakhurst
North of downtown with rolling hills and older homes — more affordable than some alternatives while remaining close in, with a tight-knit community feel. Criminal cases in Oakhurst often involve residents who are first-time offenders facing misdemeanor or lower-level felony charges. For those clients, the priority is often keeping the record clean through deferred adjudication, diversion programs, or dismissal — protecting future employment, housing, and background check results.
Our prime location at One City Place puts us within walking distance of Sundance Square Plaza and just three blocks from the Tarrant County Courthouse, perfectly positioned to serve clients throughout these neighborhoods and entertainment districts.
How to Get to Varghese Summersett Fort Worth
Get Directions to Varghese Summersett
Driving Directions from North Fort Worth
From Denton, Alliance, and Saginaw: Take I-35W South toward Fort Worth, merge onto TX-280 Spur toward Downtown, continue straight and take the exit toward Taylor Street, turn right onto Taylor Street, then right onto 3rd or 4th Street, and right onto Throckmorton Street. One City Place will be on your right.
Driving Directions from South Fort Worth
From Burleson, Crowley, and Mansfield: Take I-35W North toward Fort Worth, merge onto I-30 West toward Abilene, take Exit 15A and merge onto Houston Street northbound, turn right onto 3rd or 4th Street, then right onto Throckmorton Street. One City Place will be on your right.
Driving Directions from East
From Arlington, Grand Prairie, and Dallas: Take I-30 West toward Fort Worth, use Exit 15A and merge onto Houston Street northbound, turn right onto 3rd or 4th Street, then right onto Throckmorton Street. One City Place will be on your right.
Driving Directions from West Fort Worth
From Weatherford, Aledo, and Benbrook: Take I-30 East toward Fort Worth, use Exit 12B for Forest Park Blvd, turn right onto Forest Park Blvd, left onto W. 5th Street, then right onto Throckmorton Street. One City Place will be on your right.
Once you arrive at One City Place, take the elevators to the 7th floor, Suite 700. Call (817) 203-2220 if you need assistance finding the office.
Meet Our Fort Worth Criminal Defense Team
Video Transcript
Areas Served Near Fort Worth
Varghese Summersett provides criminal defense representation throughout:
- Arlington
- Bedford
- Burleson
- Colleyville
- Fort Worth
- Grapevine
- Haltom City
- Keller
- Mansfield
- North Richland Hills
- Richland Hills
- Saginaw
- Sansom Park
- Southlake
- Trophy Club
- Watauga
- Westlake
- Westover Hills
The firm also handles cases throughout Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, Johnson, Parker, Wise, and Denton counties, plus significant cases in McClennan, Ellis, Jack, Montague, and Williamson counties.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
When you contact Varghese Summersett, you’ll speak with someone who understands criminal law within minutes. We offer free consultations for criminal defense matters, available 24/7 for urgent situations. During your consultation, an attorney will review the facts of your case, explain potential charges and penalties, discuss defense strategies, and outline next steps.
Clients receive direct access to their attorney’s cell phone, regular case updates, and honest assessments of their situation. Our team takes a proactive approach, using prosecutorial background to identify weaknesses in cases before they progress. Whether stopping an investigation in its tracks or preparing for trial, our former prosecutor perspective gives us advantages other defense firms simply don’t have.
Watch More Criminal Defense Videos
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Fort Worth Criminal Defense Video Playlist
What Our Clients Say
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Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Fort Worth
Have a question about your case or the criminal process in Tarrant County? We’ve answered the most common ones below.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Fort Worth?
Criminal defense fees in Fort Worth vary based on charge severity, case complexity, and whether the case goes to trial. Misdemeanor cases typically range from $3,000 to $10,000, while felonies can range from $7,500 to $50,000 or more for serious charges like murder or federal crimes. Most criminal defense attorneys offer free consultations to discuss fees for your specific situation.
What should I do if I’m arrested in Tarrant County?
If arrested in Tarrant County, exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately. Do not answer questions about the alleged offense without legal counsel present. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, even from jail. Avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer, including cellmates or family members on recorded jail phone lines.
Can a criminal charge be dismissed in Fort Worth?
Yes, criminal charges can be dismissed in Fort Worth through various means. An experienced attorney may identify constitutional violations, witness credibility issues, insufficient evidence, or procedural errors that warrant dismissal. Prosecutors may also dismiss charges when presented with compelling evidence of innocence or mitigating circumstances. Early attorney intervention often provides the best opportunity for dismissal.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and felony in Texas?
In Texas, misdemeanors are less serious offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000. Felonies are more serious crimes carrying potential state prison sentences ranging from 180 days to life imprisonment, depending on the degree. Felony convictions also carry more severe collateral consequences, including loss of voting rights and firearm possession.
How long does a criminal case take in Tarrant County?
Criminal case timelines in Tarrant County vary significantly. Simple misdemeanors may resolve in 2–4 months, while complex felonies can take 6–18 months or longer. Factors affecting duration include case complexity, evidence volume, witness availability, court schedules, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Cases resolved through plea agreements typically conclude faster than those going to trial.
Fort Worth Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Experienced criminal defense attorneys serving Tarrant County
Main Pages
Assault & Violent Crimes
Sex Crimes
DWI & Intoxication
Drug Crimes
Theft & Property
Fraud & White Collar
Other Offenses
Expunction & Record Clearing
Student Defense
(817) 203-2220
Contact a Fort Worth Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
When you’re facing criminal charges in Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, Grapevine, or anywhere in Tarrant County, you need attorneys who know these courts inside and out. Varghese Summersett is headquartered two blocks from where your case will be decided, staffed by Board Certified specialists and former prosecutors who have tried hundreds of cases in local courtrooms.
