If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in Denton County, understanding how the court system works is one of the first steps toward protecting your rights. This guide provides a complete overview of every criminal court in Denton County, the judges who preside over them, where they are located, and how the criminal process moves through the system.
At Deandra Grant Law, our Denton office at 1317 E McKinney Street, Ste. 101A is just across the street from the Denton County Courts Building. Our attorneys appear in the Denton County courts regularly. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedures in every courtroom.
"Deandra Grant Law – Criminal & DWI Defense handled my case with diligence and professionalism. Deandra Grant's reputation is stellar and now I know why. She has a team of individuals who provide quality service."
- N. Coulter
"Deandra Grant Law – Criminal & DWI Defense fights hard for their clients and is always willing to go above and beyond. They are the best firm for DWI cases in DFW and beyond. Definitely hire them to represent you in any pending cases."
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Denton County Courts Building
Address: 1450 E McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209
Main Phone: (940) 349-2012
All criminal cases in Denton County, from Class B misdemeanors to capital murder, are heard at the Denton County Courts Building. This facility houses all 5 County Criminal Courts (misdemeanor courts) and all 12 District Courts (felony courts), along with the Denton County District Attorney’s Office, the District Clerk’s Office, and the County Clerk’s Office.
The building is organized across four floors.
County Criminal Courts (Misdemeanor Courts)
Denton County’s 5 County Criminal Courts handle all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases. These include first-offense DWI, DWI with BAC 0.15+, marijuana possession under 2 ounces, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass, and other misdemeanor offenses.
An important distinction in Denton County: the County Criminal Courts also have felony jurisdiction concurrent with the district courts over intoxication offenses arising by grand jury indictment. This means felony DWI cases (third or subsequent offense) may be heard in either the County Criminal Courts or the District Courts.
| Court | Judge | Location | Phone |
| County Criminal Court 1 | Judge Lauri Ragland | 1st Floor | 940-349-2200 |
| County Criminal Court 2 | Judge Susan Piel | 2nd Floor | 940-349-2210 |
| County Criminal Court 3 | Judge Forrest Beadle | 2nd Floor | 940-349-2220 |
| County Criminal Court 4 | Judge Chance Oliver | 2nd Floor | 940-349-2230 |
| County Criminal Court 5 | Judge Coby Waddill | 2nd Floor | 940-349-2240 |
What to Expect in Misdemeanor Court
Misdemeanor cases in Denton County move at a moderate pace compared to other North Texas counties. After your first court appearance, your attorney will receive the State’s evidence and begin negotiating with the assigned prosecutor. Denton County’s prosecution team is well-organized and generally aggressive, particularly in DWI, family violence, and drug cases.
For DWI cases, Denton County courts typically require ignition interlock devices for BAC results of 0.15 or higher and for defendants with prior alcohol-related contacts. The County Criminal Courts’ concurrent felony jurisdiction over intoxication offenses means that felony DWI cases may stay in County Criminal Court 5 rather than being transferred to a district court which is a procedural distinction that can affect defense strategy.
District Courts (Felony Courts)
Denton County’s 12 District Courts handle all felony criminal cases, including state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. These courts hear cases ranging from felony drug possession and THC vape pen charges to aggravated assault, sexual assault, murder, and capital murder.
Felony cases are presented to a grand jury before proceeding to trial. If the grand jury returns a True Bill of Indictment, the case is assigned to a District Court. Not all District Courts handle criminal matters exclusively — some are primarily assigned to civil or family law dockets.
| Court | Judge | Location | Phone |
| 16th District Court | Judge Sherry Shipman | 3rd Floor | 940-349-2310 |
| 158th District Court | Judge Steve Burgess | 3rd Floor | 940-349-2320 |
| 211th District Court | Judge Brody Shanklin | 2nd Floor | 940-349-2330 |
| 362nd District Court | Judge Bruce McFarling | 3rd Floor | 940-349-2340 |
| 367th District Court | Judge Brent Hill | 3rd Floor | 940-349-2350 |
| 393rd District Court | Judge Karen Alexander | 4th Floor | 940-349-2360 |
| 431st District Court | Judge Jim Johnson | 2nd Floor | 940-349-4370 |
| 442nd District Court | Judge Tiffany Haertling | 2nd Floor | 940-349-4380 |
| 462nd District Court | Judge Lee Ann Breading | 4th Floor | 940-349-2110 |
| 467th District Court | Judge Derbha Jones | 4th Floor | 940-349-2100 |
| 477th District Court | Judge Michael Dickens | 3rd Floor | 940-349-2100 |
| 481st District Court | Judge Crystal Levonius | 4th Floor | 940-349-2100 |
What to Expect in Felony Court
Felony cases in Denton County follow a structured process: arrest and bond, grand jury presentation, indictment, arraignment, pretrial hearings, plea negotiation or trial, and (if convicted) sentencing. Denton County prosecutors are well-prepared and aggressive. The District Attorney’s Office has dedicated divisions for specific case types, and investigators assigned to complex cases. Having a defense attorney who understands how the Denton County DA’s Office operates is a significant advantage.
Denton County Jail
Address: 1060 E McKinney Street, Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-1700
Inmate Search: Available online at www.dentoncounty.gov
The Denton County Jail is operated by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. After arrest, individuals are booked and held at this facility until bond is posted or an attorney obtains release through an attorney writ bond. Some cities in Denton County (including Lewisville and Flower Mound) have their own holding facilities where arrestees may be held before transfer to the county jail.
Case Results
Getting Out of Jail: Bond
After arrest, a magistrate judge will set bond and bond conditions. You can post bond through a cash bond or a surety bond (through a bondsman).
Denton County District Attorney’s Office
Address: 1450 E McKinney Street, Suite 3100, Denton, TX 76209
Phone: (940) 349-2700
The Denton County District Attorney prosecutes all felony cases and assists in the prosecution of misdemeanor cases. The office is led by the elected District Attorney and staffed by assistant district attorneys organized into trial divisions, including a felony trial division and a misdemeanor trial division.
Denton County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 127 N Woodrow Lane, Denton, TX 76205
Phone: (940) 349-1600
The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated Denton County and operates the county jail. Deputies serve warrants, provide courthouse security, and conduct criminal investigations.
Key Law Enforcement Agencies in Denton County
Criminal cases in Denton County may be investigated by any of the following agencies:
- Denton Police Department — (940) 349-8181
- Lewisville Police Department — (972) 219-3600
- Flower Mound Police Department — (972) 539-0525
- Little Elm Police Department — (972) 377-3535
- The Colony Police Department — (972) 625-1887
- Highland Village Department of Public Safety — (972) 317-6551
- Corinth Police Department — (940) 498-7240
- Argyle Police Department — (940) 464-7254
- Denton County Sheriff’s Office — (940) 349-1600
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — conducts traffic enforcement on I-35E, I-35W, and state highways throughout the county
Online Court Resources
- Denton County Judicial Records Search: dentoncounty.gov/920 — search active and historical cases by name, case number, or citation
- Court Calendars: Available through the Denton County judicial records portal — search by court, judge, or date
- Denton County District Clerk: (940) 349-2012 — felony case records and filings
- Denton County Clerk — Criminal Division: (940) 349-2012 — misdemeanor case records and filings
- Inmate Search: dentoncounty.gov — look up current inmates, bond amounts, and charges
Cities Served by the Denton County Criminal Courts
The following cities and communities fall within Denton County’s criminal jurisdiction. Cases arising from arrests in any of these locations are heard at the Denton County Courts Building:
Argyle, Aubrey, Bartonville, Carrollton (Denton County portion), Celina (Denton County portion), Copper Canyon, Corinth, Cross Roads, Denton, Double Oak, Flower Mound, Frisco (Denton County portion), Hackberry, Haslet (Denton County portion), Hebron, Hickory Creek, Highland Village, Justin, Krugerville, Krum, Lake Dallas, Lakewood Village, Lewisville, Lincoln Park, Little Elm, Northlake, Oak Point, Pilot Point, Ponder, Prosper (Denton County portion), Providence Village, Roanoke (Denton County portion), Sanger, Shady Shores, The Colony, and Trophy Club (Denton County portion).
Note: Several cities straddle county lines. Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Carrollton, and The Colony each have portions in multiple counties. The portion of the city where the arrest occurred determines which county’s courts have jurisdiction.
How Deandra Grant Law Defends Clients in Denton County
Our Denton office at 1317 E McKinney Street, Suite 101A is located just blocks from the Denton County Courts Building. Our criminal defense team includes:
- Douglas Huff, Partner and Criminal Division Chief — ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, senior trial attorney, advanced digital forensics training with Garrett Discovery
- James Lee Bright, Senior Federal Defense Attorney — handles federal cases in the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) and Northern District of Texas (Dallas Division)
- Deandra Grant, Managing Partner — ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, nationally recognized DWI trial attorney and author with 30+ years of experience
- Kevin Sheneberger, Criminal Trial Division
- Omar Sherif, Criminal Trial Division
- Jada Fairley, Criminal Trial Division
We handle cases in every criminal court in Denton County from Class B misdemeanor DWI in the County Criminal Courts to capital murder in the District Courts. Our ACS-CHAL forensic science credentials, federal defense capability, and digital forensics training give our clients a defense that no other Denton County firm can match.
Call (214) 225-7117 or schedule an appointment online at texasdwisite.com.
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