Criminal defense for Decatur cases
In short: Class C tickets from Decatur go to the Decatur Municipal Court at 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234. Class A and B misdemeanors and felonies go to the appropriate county or district court; confirm the county on your case documents. Protective orders can be filed where either person lives or where the violence allegedly happened, and the hearing is generally within 14 days.
Our office is in downtown Dallas. We do not have an office in Decatur, but we defend people charged in Decatur and across Wise County.
Which court will hear my Decatur case?
| Type of case | Where it is heard | Who prosecutes |
|---|---|---|
| Class C (fine-only) tickets and city ordinance cases | Decatur Municipal Court, 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234 | City prosecutor |
| Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs and family violence assaults | Wise County Court at Law No. 1 in Decatur | County prosecutor (see below) |
| Felonies | the 271st District Court | County or district prosecutor (see below) |
Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations and fine-only criminal offenses, including some Class C assault cases. Class A and B misdemeanors and felonies are handled by the appropriate county or district court. For conduct in the Wise County portion of Decatur, consult the Wise County court information below. Some cities cross county lines; use the county and court on your citation, bond papers or court notice. Wise County splits prosecution: the Wise County Attorney (Courthouse, Suite 300) prosecutes misdemeanors and the District Attorney (Suite 200) prosecutes felonies.
This city is also the county seat, so the county courts are in town.
What happens after an arrest in Decatur?
After an arrest, a magistrate explains the rights and addresses bail and conditions if allowed by law. Release is not automatic. The County Attorney and District Attorney split matters. A misdemeanor DWI goes through the County Attorney and County Court at Law No. 1; a felony DWI goes through the District Attorney and the 271st District Court.
For a DWI, check the suspension notice immediately. The ALR hearing deadline is generally 15 days after service, or 20 days after DPS mails a notice following blood-test results. DPS explains these notice deadlines. Read the Wise County DWI page for local DWI details.
Protective orders in Decatur cases
A protective order from a Decatur incident is usually filed in Wise County, but Family Code 82.003 also allows the county where either person lives. The hearing is generally within 14 days. Read our full Texas protective order guide.
How do I get started?
Criminal defense consultations are free. Call (214) 239-2013 or start a chat.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
Do you have an office in Decatur?
No. Our office is at 325 N St. Paul Street in downtown Dallas. We handle cases from Decatur and the rest of Wise County.
Is a DWI in Decatur handled by the municipal court?
No. The Decatur Municipal Court hears fine-only Class C cases. A DWI is at least a Class B misdemeanor. The correct county or district court depends on the charge and where the alleged offense occurred; check your case documents.
Where is the Decatur municipal court?
Decatur Municipal Court, 201 E. Walnut St., Decatur 76234.
Where is a protective order from Decatur filed?
In the county where the applicant lives, where the respondent lives, or where the family violence allegedly happened (Family Code 82.003). For most incidents in the city, that is Wise County.
How soon is the protective order hearing?
Generally within 14 days after the application is filed (Family Code 84.001). A temporary ex parte order can last up to 20 days and be extended.
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This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.