If you’ve been arrested for a felony in Texas, these are the top five things you need to know about the case process and steps involved. My name is Justin Wilson. I’m the owner and founding attorney at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer, a criminal defense firm based in Frisco, Texas. Before starting the firm, I served as a prosecutor in the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, where I handled cases at every one of the stages below.
Every felony arrest in Texas goes through a similar series of steps from arrest to final disposition. And we can fight the allegations against you at every one of those steps in the process.
1. Police Send the Case File to the District Attorney
Once police have concluded their investigation, they will send your case file to the district attorney’s office in the county where the offense allegedly occurred.
2. Prosecutors Present the Case to a Grand Jury
Prosecutors will present your case to 12 people on the grand jury.
3. The Grand Jury Decides Whether to Indict
If the grand jury confirms probable cause, it will issue a true bill of indictment.
4. Your Case Is Assigned to a District Court
Your case will then be assigned to a district court, where your attorney will meet with prosecutors at multiple court settings and may have occasional hearings.
5. Agreement or Trial
After months of negotiations, evidence review, and hearings, the court will expect you to reach an agreement with prosecutors or set your case for trial.
Facing a Felony Charge? We Fight at Every Step
If you’ve been arrested for a felony charge, call My Dallas Criminal Lawyer. We’ll guide you through the process and fight for you every step of the way. From our Frisco office we defend felony cases across Collin, Denton, and Dallas Counties. Call (214) 764-5535 to book your consultation today.
Related reading: Is a DWI a Felony in Texas? See also our criminal defense timeline and process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens first after a felony arrest in Texas?
Once police conclude their investigation, they send the case file to the district attorney’s office in the county where the offense allegedly occurred.
What does the grand jury do in a Texas felony case?
Prosecutors present the case to 12 people on the grand jury. If the grand jury confirms probable cause, it issues a true bill of indictment, which moves the case forward.
What happens after a felony indictment?
The case is assigned to a district court, where your attorney meets with prosecutors at multiple court settings and may have occasional hearings.
How does a Texas felony case end?
After months of negotiations, evidence review, and hearings, the court will expect you to reach an agreement with prosecutors or set your case for trial. A defense attorney can fight the allegations at every step along the way.
