1. Bruce Ashworth, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with exclusive focus on defending rights of North Texans, including DUI/DWI, drug offenses, assault, theft, and other criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, drug possession and distribution, assault, theft, domestic violence, weapons charges, and traffic offenses.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, arraignment representation, motion practice, plea negotiations, and post-conviction representation.
Background: Bruce Ashworth is a third-generation attorney and lifelong resident of Arlington. He has over 30 years of experience defending criminal cases. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a designation held by only about 10% of Texas attorneys practicing criminal law. He has been selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers from 2004-2007 and 2009-2024. He holds an AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He meets personally with clients to discuss cases and explain the legal situation in everyday language.
Location: Arlington, TX
Contact: https://www.bruceashworth.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability.
2. The Dameron Law Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense including DWI, drug crimes, weapons offenses, assault, theft, and record expungement throughout Tarrant County and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI (including repeat offenses and felony DWI), drug possession and distribution, firearms offenses, assault, theft, domestic violence, and criminal record expungement.
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, DMV/ALR hearings, record expungement petitions, and post-conviction representation.
Background: Craig Dameron has over 20 years of experience representing clients accused of criminal offenses across Tarrant County and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He works with clients to determine strategy and advocates for charge reduction or dismissal. The firm serves clients throughout Tarrant County in Arlington, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Hurst, Bedford, Keller, Euless, North Richland Hills, Azle, Crowley, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Watauga, Southlake, and Colleyville.
Location: 1515 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104 (serves Arlington and Tarrant County)
Contact: (817) 222-0624 | https://www.dameronlawfirm.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability.
3. The Meza Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with over 400 positive reviews from clients throughout Texas, handling assault, domestic violence, DWI, drug offenses, and other criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, assault (simple and aggravated), domestic violence, DWI, drug possession and distribution, theft, weapons offenses, and probation violations.
Legal Services: Trial defense, arraignment representation, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and client guidance through the criminal justice process.
Background: The Meza Law Firm provides one-on-one guidance to fight serious criminal charges. The firm takes time to understand individual circumstances and defends clients to the fullest extent of the law. The firm serves clients throughout Tarrant County including Arlington, Fort Worth, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Euless, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Southlake, Watauga, Weatherford, and White Settlement.
Location: 300 Burnett Street, Fort Worth, TX (serves Arlington and Tarrant County)
Contact: (817) 732-6392 | https://www.mezalawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
4. Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with attorneys who include former prosecutors, providing representation for felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile offenses, and sex crime allegations.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, drug offenses, assault, domestic violence, theft and property crimes, juvenile offenses, sex crimes, sexual assault, weapons charges, and white collar crimes.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, grand jury representation, motion practice, plea negotiations, juvenile defense, and sex crime defense.
Background: Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys has over 100 years of combined criminal law experience among its attorney team. Many attorneys are former prosecutors who bring insight into prosecution tactics and strategies. The firm handles cases ranging from misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies including sexual assault and aggravated assault charges.
Location: Fort Worth, TX (serves Arlington and Tarrant County)
Contact: (817) 877-5200 | https://www.criminalattorneyfortworth.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
5. Labovitz Law Firm
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with over 16 years of experience representing clients throughout Arlington, Haltom City, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, drug offenses, assault, domestic violence, theft, weapons charges, probation violations, and traffic offenses.
Legal Services: Trial defense, arraignment representation, motion practice, plea negotiations, sentencing advocacy, and client counseling throughout the criminal justice process.
Background: Labovitz Law Firm has over 16 years of experience handling criminal defense cases in Tarrant County. The firm provides personalized assistance and takes time to understand unique details of each case. Attorneys are available to answer questions and provide guidance on rights and legal options. The firm promptly returns calls and keeps clients informed of case developments.
Location: Arlington, TX (serves Tarrant County and surrounding areas)
Contact: (817) 210-6369 | https://www.labovitzlawtx.com
Consultation: Free in-person consultation available.
Criminal Defense Regulations in Texas
Texas attorneys must be admitted to the State Bar of Texas to practice law. The Texas Bar Exam is administered in February and July. Applicants must pass the bar examination and undergo a character and fitness evaluation by the Board of Law Examiners. Texas is expected to adopt the NextGen bar examination in 2028.
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers Board Certification in Criminal Law. To become board certified, attorneys must have substantial experience in criminal law (at least 5 years of practice with at least 30% devoted to criminal law), pass a comprehensive examination, and receive favorable evaluations from other attorneys and judges. Only about 10% of Texas attorneys who practice criminal law are board certified.
Texas requires all active attorneys to complete 15 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) each year. Of these hours, at least 3 must be in legal ethics, and 1 must be in substance abuse or mental health awareness.
Texas public defender services are provided through county public defender offices in larger counties and through court-appointed counsel systems in other counties. Tarrant County has a Public Defender’s Office that represents indigent defendants. Eligibility is determined based on financial need at the time of arraignment.
Attorney advertising in Texas is governed by the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Communications about services must not be false, misleading, or deceptive.
Texas maintains attorney-client privilege under the Texas Rules of Evidence, protecting confidential communications between attorney and client.
Texas classifies felonies into five categories: Capital felonies (punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole), First-degree felonies (5 to 99 years or life, plus fines up to $10,000), Second-degree felonies (2 to 20 years, plus fines up to $10,000), Third-degree felonies (2 to 10 years, plus fines up to $10,000), and State jail felonies (180 days to 2 years in state jail, plus fines up to $10,000). Misdemeanors are classified as Class A (up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fine), Class B (up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 fine), and Class C (fine only, up to $500).
Texas has the death penalty for capital murder. Capital cases require specialized defense attorneys.
Texas provides expunction (expungement) under Chapter 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure for cases where charges were dismissed, the defendant was acquitted, the case was no-billed by a grand jury, or the defendant was pardoned. Waiting periods apply: 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, 1 year for Class A and B misdemeanors, and 3 years for felonies. Convictions cannot be expunged (with limited exceptions). Texas also provides Orders of Nondisclosure under Government Code Chapter 411, which seal records from public view for certain defendants who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision. Certain serious offenses are not eligible for nondisclosure.
Texas has various mandatory minimum sentencing provisions, particularly for repeat offenders and offenses involving firearms. Texas habitual offender laws enhance sentences for defendants with prior felony convictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are criminal cases from Arlington heard?
Criminal cases arising in Arlington are heard in Tarrant County courts. Misdemeanor cases are heard in the Tarrant County Criminal Courts, located at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center at 401 W. Belknap Street in Fort Worth. Felony cases are heard in Tarrant County Criminal District Courts at the same location. Some municipal violations are handled in Arlington Municipal Court at 101 S. Mesquite Street in Arlington. The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center is the primary courthouse for criminal matters in Tarrant County.
How does bail work in Tarrant County for Arlington arrests?
Following an arrest in Arlington, you will typically be booked at the Arlington City Jail or transferred to the Tarrant County Jail (Lon Evans Corrections Center) at 100 N. Lamar Street in Fort Worth. Bail is set by a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. Factors considered include the nature of the offense, weight of evidence, defendant’s financial resources, ties to the community, character and mental condition, prior criminal record, and history of appearing for court dates. Texas law establishes a presumption of release on personal bond for certain offenses. You may post bail through a bail bond company (typically 10% of the bail amount), cash bond, or property bond. Personal bonds (release without payment) may be available for qualifying defendants.
What are the penalties for a first-time DWI in Texas?
A first-time DWI in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties include 72 hours to 180 days in jail (minimum 6 days if blood alcohol was 0.15% or higher), a fine up to $2,000 (up to $4,000 if blood alcohol was 0.15% or higher), driver’s license suspension for 90 days to 1 year, annual surcharge of $1,000 to $2,000 for 3 years to maintain driving privileges, and possible installation of ignition interlock device. DWI with a child passenger (under 15 years old) is a state jail felony even on a first offense. Pretrial diversion may be available for first-time offenders in some Texas counties.
Does Tarrant County offer diversion programs for criminal charges?
Tarrant County offers several intervention and diversion programs. First Offender Drug Program is available for certain first-time drug offenders. Pretrial Intervention Program provides diversion for qualifying non-violent offenders. Veterans Court serves veterans with service-related conditions. Mental Health Court handles cases involving defendants with mental health diagnoses. DWI Court provides intensive supervision for repeat DWI offenders. These programs may result in dismissal of charges upon successful completion. Eligibility depends on the offense charged, criminal history, and approval by the prosecutor. Deferred adjudication community supervision is another option where, upon successful completion, no final conviction is entered (though the arrest and deferred adjudication remain on record unless sealed by nondisclosure order).
How can I get my criminal record expunged or sealed in Texas?
Texas offers two main paths to limit access to criminal records. Expunction (Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure) is available if charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, the case was no-billed by a grand jury, you were pardoned, or charges were never filed and the statute of limitations has expired. Waiting periods apply: 180 days for Class C misdemeanors, 1 year for Class A and B misdemeanors, and 3 years for felonies. Expunged records are destroyed or returned to the defendant. Orders of Nondisclosure (Government Code Chapter 411) seal records from public view for defendants who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision. Waiting periods vary by offense. Certain serious offenses (murder, capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, family violence offenses) are not eligible. To petition for expunction, you file a Petition for Expunction in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred. For nondisclosure, you petition the court that handled the criminal case. Filing fees apply.