How long will it take to resolve my case if I am charged with an offense in Dallas county?

While it is hard to generalize, cases in Dallas County often take quite awhile to resolve. Often your case will be “passed for announcement” a few times to give the defense and the state a chance to investigate the case and see if the case can be resolved without a trial. It is up to the individual judge whether you will be required to appear in court for “announcement” settings. If the case is eventually set for a trial, it may be reset several times. Older cases and cases where the person is incarcerated will usually be given priority.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declared Texas’ Speedy Trial Act unconstitutional. Therefore, there is no right to a speedy trial under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. A defendant in a criminal case has a limited right to a speedy trial under the United States Constitution.