Denton County Court Guide

Location & Contact

About This Court

Denton County has several district courts with felony jurisdiction (16th, 158th, 211th, 367th, 393rd, 431st, 442nd) plus multiple county courts at law handling misdemeanor matters. Denton County is known for aggressive DWI prosecution and a well-developed pre-trial diversion program.

Typical Cases

• Traffic citations (speeding, stop sign, red light)
• Parking violations
• City ordinance violations (noise, animal control)
• Class C misdemeanors (theft under $100, simple assault by contact)
• Minor in possession / alcohol violations
• Truancy matters

What to Expect at Your First Appearance

1. Check in at the counter with your citation and ID
2. Review plea options — guilty, no contest, not guilty (sets trial date)
3. Consider defensive driving — eligible under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 45.0511 for most moving violations
4. Consider deferred disposition — art. 45.051 allows probationary dismissal
5. Pay or set for trial

Defensive Driving Eligibility

You can take defensive driving in lieu of conviction under art. 45.0511 if:

• You haven't taken it within the previous 12 months
• Your license is non-commercial (not CDL)
• The offense wasn't in an active construction zone
• Your speed wasn't 25+ mph over the limit

Deferred Disposition

Under art. 45.051, the court can defer adjudication for up to 180 days. Completion (no new offenses, any required fees paid) results in dismissal.

Hiring an Attorney

Even Class C cases benefit from defense counsel. Convictions appear on your permanent record and affect employment, licensing, and immigration. L and L Law Group handles Denton County court cases routinely. Call (214) 466-1398 for a free consultation.