Harris County Criminal Defense Attorney

Harris County is the largest county in Texas, and a criminal charge filed anywhere in it goes through the same courthouse. Andrew Salinas defends felony and misdemeanor cases in Harris County from our office at 4101 Greenbriar Drive, Suite 240, Houston, in English and Spanish. Hablamos español: llame al (832) 202-8409.

One courthouse for the whole county

Whether the arrest happened in Houston, Pasadena, Humble, Spring, Cypress or Tomball, the case is filed at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, TX 77002. Felony cases go to the district courts and misdemeanors go to the county criminal courts at law. Both are in that building.

The jail

The Harris County Jail is at 1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002. Someone arrested by any agency in the county can end up there, so a family member trying to find a person who was just arrested should start with the Harris County Sheriff's Office inmate search.

Looking up a Harris County case

Keep two numbers handy: the cause number, which is the case number, and the SPN, which is assigned at booking. Both are on the bond paperwork. The Harris County District Clerk has a criminal tab where you can search by name and date of birth or by cause number, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Records Inquiry is usually the fastest way to see the next court setting. Online records lag and contain errors, so call us to confirm anything that matters. Pretrial Services, at (832) 927-3520, answers questions about personal bonds.

How a Harris County case moves

Most court settings are short resets. Your name is called, a new date is set and you leave. The real work happens between settings.

• In the first two weeks we appear for you and ask for the State's evidence: reports, body cam, 911 calls and witness statements.
• Over the first three months the case resets roughly every 30 to 45 days, and felonies go to a grand jury that decides whether to indict.
• From month four we look for the weak points and may file motions to suppress or dismiss. Lab results often arrive here, and backlogs are common.
• Most cases resolve between months six and twelve, through dismissal, a diversion program or a plea. Some are set for trial, and serious felonies run longer.

Whether to accept any offer is always your decision. The client guide covers court day, bond conditions and what to say when people ask about your case.

Charged in Harris County and not a U.S. citizen

Tell us your exact immigration status before your first setting, including a green card, a visa or DACA. A Harris County plea that looks small on the criminal side can still cost you your status, and in Texas deferred adjudication is often still a conviction under immigration law. We do not accept any plea until the immigration consequences have been analyzed. Do not leave the country without talking to us. Read about the immigration consequences of criminal charges and our guide for non-citizens charged in Houston.

DIVERT for DWI charges

Harris County runs a DIVERT program that some DWI defendants can apply for. Our guide explains who qualifies: Harris County's DIVERT program.

The charges we handle in Harris County

• DWI and DWI defense
• Drug possession and other drug crimes
• Assault and family violence
• Firearms charges
• Federal crimes
• Juvenile cases

Questions from Harris County clients

Where is the Harris County criminal courthouse?

At 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, TX 77002. Confirm your floor before you go, and arrive an hour early.

How do I find out my next court date?

Search the Harris County District Clerk's criminal records by name and date of birth or by cause number, or use the Sheriff's Criminal Records Inquiry. Then call us to confirm.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Should I say so in court?

Talk to us first. Do not discuss your immigration status with police, prosecutors or anyone else before you have spoken to your lawyer.

Who do I call about a personal bond?

Harris County Pretrial Services, at (832) 927-3520, handles personal bond questions. Call us as well so we can look at your bond conditions.

Cities in the county

We take Harris County cases from Houston, Pasadena, Bellaire, West University Place, Humble, Spring, Cypress and Tomball.