Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC | Commonly Charged Crimes in Tarrant County, Texas

Tarrant County, Texas is home to millions of people. It’s Texas’s third most populated county, and one of the most populated counties in the entire United States. Its cities include Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, Hurst, Bedford, Euless, Pelican Bay, and many more. This beautiful county’s economy is built on a diverse array of professions, from ranching and farming to aerospace engineering.

However, like everywhere else in the world, Tarrant County sees thousands of arrests for various crimes. Now, you may be the one facing charges.

Some crimes are more common than others, and you may be facing a complex criminal trial that impacts your finances, family, and financial status. If you are being investigated for one of these crimes, it would be a good idea to get a Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer retained so you know how to navigate the investigation.  

Drug Crimes | Possession of a Controlled Substance | Possession of Marijuana

The top two most common charged crimes described in Tarrant County’s 2021 Annual Crime Trends Report were possession of controlled substances and possession of marijuana.  Marijuana charges have been in decline with some states legalizing it, but it is still something we are dealing with because it is still illegal in the State of Texas. 

You can find a complete list of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and the penalties for possession, use, and intent to distribute on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.  

Some of the most common possession of controlled substance charges: 

  1. Various Possession of a Controlled Substance (i.e. under a gram, 1-4 grams, 4 to 200 grams, over 200 grams) – Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, THC, Fentanyl, and prescription drugs. 
  2. Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Enhances the charge by one degree) 
  3. Possession of a Controlled Substance in a School Zone (Enhances the charge by one degree)

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

The third most common crime revealed in the report was DWI (driving while intoxicated), with thousands of cases filed regarding this misdemeanor offense.

Anyone driving while intoxicated (lost of mental or physical faculties or with over 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level can be found charged with driving while intoxicated. Consequences of being convicted of a DWI include heavy fines, jail time, loss of license, and more, depending on the individual circumstances. 

Here are some of the common DWI charges: 

  1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class B 
  2. Driving While Intoxicated with an Alcohol Concentration above a 0.15, Class A 
  3. DWI Second, Class A 
  4. DWI with a Child Passenger, State Jail Felony 
  5. DWI Third, 3rd Degree Felony 
  6. Intoxication Assault, 3rd Degree Felony 
  7. Intoxication Manslaughter, 2nd Degree Felony 

Assault Bodily Injury | Physical Assault | Family Violence 

Assault causing bodily injury, especially in relation to family violence, was the fourth most common crime. Thousands of cases of this misdemeanor were filed recently.

Any unwanted physical contact, with or without bodily injury (for example, grabbing, pushing, hitting, or scratching), can be classified as domestic assault. Depending on the circumstance, domestic assault can be classified as a Class C misdemeanor, a Class A misdemeanor, a third-degree felony, or higher.

Consequences include being disallowed from owning a firearm and being disallowed from obtaining a hunting or fishing license in Texas. There may also be ramifications in regard to employment, divorce, and child custody cases.

Criminal Trespass

The fifth most commonly charged crimes reported in the annual findings was criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.

Criminal trespass is the act of entering property, knowing that the owner has not given consent to your presence. 

Sex Crimes 

Although not as common as the top 5 listed above, some of the most serious charges in Tarrant County, Texas relate to sex crimes.  Some of the common sex crimes we handle include: 

  1. Indecent Assault
  2. Indecency with a Child
  3. Online Solicitation of a Minor
  4. Sexual Assault (Adult or Child) 
  5. Continuous Sex Abuse of a Child  

Finding the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tarrant County

If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime in Tarrant County, Texas, don’t despair. Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC is ready to help you find the best path forward. With years of education and real-world experience, Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC has your back. Call 817-334-7900 today or fill out our convenient online form to get answers now.