McLennan County Criminal Courts Guide
McLennan County is a law-and-order jurisdiction with a population exceeding 260,000. If you are facing criminal charges in Waco, Hewitt, Woodway, Bellmead, Robinson, or anywhere else in McLennan County, this guide covers every court you may appear in, every judge who may hear your case, and the key resources you need.
At Deandra Grant Law, our Waco office at 605 Austin Ave., Suite 5 (Woolworth Office Building) is located in downtown Waco, walking distance from the McLennan County Courthouse. Managing Partner Deandra Grant brings a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Science, the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist credential, 17 published law books, and 30+ years of experience to every McLennan County case.
McLennan County Courthouse
Address: 501 Washington Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
Main Phone: (254) 757-5000
The McLennan County Courthouse and its Annex building house all criminal courts, the District Attorney’s Office, the District Clerk’s Office, and the County Clerk’s Office. A $50 million justice center expansion (remodeling the former county jail) is underway and expected to add courtrooms by 2027.
District Courts (Felony Criminal)
McLennan County has 6 District Courts. The 19th and 54th District Courts handle the felony criminal docket. The remaining district courts handle civil, family, and juvenile matters.
| Court | Judge | Criminal? | Phone |
| 19th District Court | Judge Thomas West | YES — Felony | (254) 757-5081 |
| 54th District Court | Judge Susan Kelly | YES — Felony | (254) 757-5051 |
| 74th District Court | Judge Peter Rusek | Civil/Family | (254) 757-5075 |
| 170th District Court | Judge Jim Meyer | Civil/Family | (254) 757-5045 |
| 414th District Court | Judge Ryan Luna | Civil/Family/CPS | (254) 757-5053 |
| 474th District Court | Judge Alan Bennett | Juvenile | (254) 757-5047 |
What to Expect in Felony Court
Felony cases in McLennan County follow the standard process: arrest and bond, grand jury presentation, indictment, arraignment, pretrial hearings, plea negotiation or trial, and sentencing. McLennan County is known for high prison sentence plea offers and juries that assess significant sentences. This makes skilled defense counsel essential from the earliest stages of a case.
County Courts at Law (Misdemeanor Criminal)
McLennan County’s 3 County Courts at Law handle all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases, including first-offense DWI, misdemeanor assault, theft, and drug possession.
| Court | Judge | Phone |
| County Court at Law No. 1 | Judge Vik Deivanayagam | (254) 757-5030 |
| County Court at Law No. 2 | Judge Brad Cates | (254) 757-5030 |
| County Court at Law No. 3 | Judge J. Patrick Atkins | (254) 757-5030 |
Important: McLennan County has a unified DA’s office. There is no separate County Attorney. DA Josh Tetens and his prosecutors handle both felony and misdemeanor cases.
McLennan County District Attorney’s Office
District Attorney: Josh Tetens
Address: 219 N 6th Street, Suite 200, Waco, TX 76701
Phone: (254) 757-5084
DA Tetens was elected in 2022 after working as a criminal defense attorney in McLennan County since 2006. His office is unified, meaning it handles both felony and misdemeanor prosecution. The DA’s office is located in the Courthouse Annex and is accessed via the skywalk from the main courthouse.
McLennan County Jail
Address: 3201 E Highway 6, Waco, TX 76705
Phone: (254) 757-5095
Inmate Search: Available at mclennan.gov
Visitation Center: Shepherd Mullens Correctional Visitation Center, 3421 Martin Hwy, Waco, TX 76705
After arrest, individuals are booked at the McLennan County Jail.
Federal Court — Western District of Texas, Waco Division
Address: 800 Franklin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701
Federal criminal cases originating in McLennan County are heard in the Waco Division of the Western District of Texas. Federal cases carry significantly harsher penalties than state cases and require attorneys with specific federal court experience. At DGL, Attorney James Lee Bright is our dedicated federal defense specialist.
Key Law Enforcement Agencies
- Waco Police Department — (254) 750-7500
- Hewitt Police Department — (254) 666-6272
- Woodway Department of Public Safety — (254) 772-4470
- Bellmead Police Department — (254) 799-0251
- Robinson Police Department — (254) 662-1040
- McLennan County Sheriff’s Office — (254) 757-5095
- Baylor University Police — (254) 710-2222
- Texas DPS — Conducts traffic enforcement on I-35 and state highways
Cities Served
All criminal cases from the following McLennan County cities are heard at the McLennan County Courthouse: Waco, Hewitt, Woodway, Bellmead, Robinson, McGregor, Lorena, West, Beverly Hills, Lacy Lakeview, Crawford, Bruceville-Eddy, Mart, Moody, and China Spring (unincorporated).
How Deandra Grant Law Defends Clients in McLennan County
Our Waco office at 605 Austin Ave., Suite 5 is located in the historic Woolworth Office Building in downtown Waco. Our team includes:
- Deandra Grant, Managing Partner — Master’s in Pharmaceutical Science, ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, author of 17 law books, Super Lawyer since 2011, 30+ years of experience
- Douglas Huff, Partner and Criminal Division Chief, ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, Garrett Discovery digital forensics training
- James Lee Bright, Senior Federal Defense Attorney
No other McLennan County firm offers this combination of pharmaceutical science credentials, forensic lawyer-scientist designation, published authority, federal defense, and digital forensics training.
Call (214) 225-7117 or schedule an appointment online at texasdwisite.com.
Which county your case is filed in changes how it is charged, who prosecutes it, and which court hears it.
Deandra M. Grant, JD, GC, MS, ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist
She holds a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Toxicology, both from the University of Florida. She is the author of The Texas DWI Manual and has defended Texas DWI cases since 1994.
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