Criminal cases in McLennan County
Felony cases in McLennan County are heard in the state district courts, including the 19th and 54th District Courts. Most misdemeanor cases are heard in County Courts at Law Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Class C misdemeanors, such as many traffic and fine-only offenses, are handled in justice of the peace and municipal courts. The 19th and 54th District Courts share the county's felony docket and sit at the McLennan County Courthouse, 501 Washington Avenue, Waco.
- The McLennan County Criminal District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in the county.
GFA LAW practices Innocent Defense. Our approach is to prepare each criminal case as if it will go to trial, investigate the facts, and never assume the police report is the whole story. Learn about Innocent Defense.
Civil rights lawsuits
When an officer or official in McLennan County violates your constitutional rights, a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. 1983 can hold them accountable. These cases are usually filed in federal court. Cases arising in McLennan County belong to the Waco Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, whose clerk's office is at 800 Franklin Avenue in Waco.
The agencies people in McLennan County most often deal with include the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, Waco Police Department, Hewitt Police Department, Woodway Public Safety Department, Robinson Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. We handle claims for unlawful arrest, excessive force, illegal searches, and retaliation for speech, filming police or carrying a firearm. Learn about Section 1983 lawsuits.
Clearing your record
Most expunction petitions are filed in district court, through the McLennan County District Clerk, and some cases, such as acquittals and certain Class C matters, can be handled by the trial court. The petition must list every agency that may have records of the arrest. An order of nondisclosure for a case that ended in deferred adjudication goes back to the court that granted the deferred adjudication: the district court for a felony or the county court at law for a misdemeanor. Eligibility depends on the offense, how the case ended and your other history. Learn about expunction and firearm rights.
Firearm rights
If police in McLennan County seized your firearm, Texas law gives you a way to ask for it back once the case ends. People barred from firearms by federal law can now apply to the Department of Justice to restore their federal rights. Learn about federal firearm rights restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live near Temple to hire GFA LAW?
No. We represent clients throughout McLennan County and appear in its courts for hearings and trial.
Where do I file an expunction in McLennan County?
Most expunction petitions are filed in district court, through the McLennan County District Clerk, and some cases, such as acquittals and certain Class C matters, can be handled by the trial court. The petition must list every agency that may have records of the arrest. We prepare the petition, list every agency that must be notified, and attend the hearing if one is set.
Which federal court hears civil rights cases from McLennan County?
The Waco Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
How do I start?
Requesting a case review is free. If we can help, the consultation is $350. Call 254-405-1726 or request a case review online.
This page is general information and is not legal advice for your situation. Court assignments and procedures can change, and every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.