Which court will my Montgomery County charge be heard in?

Cases are heard at the Montgomery County courthouse complex in downtown Conroe, the county seat, in a county court at law for misdemeanors or a district court for felonies.

How quickly must I see a magistrate after arrest?

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.17 requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, generally within 48 hours.

What is the punishment range for a first DWI in Texas?

A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor, punishable under Texas Penal Code chapter 12 by up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000, plus separate license consequences.

Can a Conroe case be cleared from my record?

Sometimes. Expunction under chapter 55A generally applies to dismissals and acquittals, while a completed deferred adjudication may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on the offense.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Conroe, TX

Winfrey Law Firm, PLLC defends people charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in Montgomery County. Conroe is the county seat of Montgomery County, so cases from Conroe are filed and heard at the Montgomery County courthouse complex in downtown Conroe rather than in Houston. We take calls 24/7.

Montgomery County criminal cases are handled in Conroe

Conroe is the county seat of Montgomery County, so cases from Conroe are filed and heard at the Montgomery County courthouse complex in downtown Conroe rather than in Houston. Arrests made by the Conroe Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and DPS troopers working I-45 are booked into the county jail and set for magistration in Conroe.

The first 48 hours

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.17 requires that a person arrested be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, and generally within 48 hours. At that appearance the magistrate gives the statutory warnings, sets bail, and may impose bond conditions such as an ignition interlock in a DWI case or a protective order in an assault case. Article 17.15 requires bail to be set in an amount that is not oppressive and that accounts for the accused's ability to pay.

Charge levels in Texas

Penalty ranges come from Texas Penal Code chapter 12. A Class B misdemeanor, which includes a first DWI, carries up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. A Class A misdemeanor carries up to a year. Felonies range from a state jail felony (180 days to two years) to a first-degree felony (five to 99 years or life). Driver's license consequences in a DWI run on a separate administrative track with a short deadline to request a hearing.

Deferred adjudication, expunction and nondisclosure

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure chapter 42A allows deferred adjudication community supervision in many cases, which avoids a final conviction if the term is completed — but a deferred is not automatically erased. Sealing usually requires an order of nondisclosure, and full expunction under chapter 55A is generally limited to dismissals, acquittals and certain arrests that never led to charges. DWI is expressly excluded from deferred adjudication in some circumstances, so the eligibility analysis matters early.

Get help with a Conroe charge

See our statewide criminal defense practice area, our Texas statute of limitations tool, or contact us. Call (713) 300-0545 — we take calls 24/7.

This is general information, not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Conroe Criminal Law FAQ

Which court will my Montgomery County charge be heard in?: Cases are heard at the Montgomery County courthouse complex in downtown Conroe, the county seat, in a county court at law for misdemeanors or a district court for felonies.
How quickly must I see a magistrate after arrest?: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 15.17 requires an arrested person to be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, generally within 48 hours.
What is the punishment range for a first DWI in Texas?: A first DWI is generally a Class B misdemeanor, punishable under Texas Penal Code chapter 12 by up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000, plus separate license consequences.
Can a Conroe case be cleared from my record?: Sometimes. Expunction under chapter 55A generally applies to dismissals and acquittals, while a completed deferred adjudication may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on the offense.

Call Winfrey Law Firm, PLLC at (713) 300-0545 — we take calls 24/7.