United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas is one of four federal districts covering the state, the others being Southern Texas, Western Texas, and Eastern Districts.
The Northern District of Texas is the largest federal court district in the state, both in terms of land area and jurisdictional reach, spanning 100 counties and over 96,000 square miles.
As the jurisdiction of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, the largest metropolitan area in the state, the Northern District of Texas, holds a pivotal role in the federal court system. If you're accused of a federal crime in the North Texas area, you will likely face one of the judges in this district, underscoring its importance.
The Northern District of Texas consists of 100 of the state's 254 counties. Nine of its cities are among the twenty most populated in the state: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Lubbock, Garland, Irving, Amarillo, Grand Prairie, and Mesquite.
Geographically, the district encompasses the largest land area district in the country, except for those federal districts that encompass an entire state.
Understanding the court's structure and operations is crucial for making informed decisions about your defense strategy. This general overview will help you navigate the Northern District of Texas more effectively.
The Earle Cabell Federal Building, United States District Court, is located at 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242. It covers the counties of Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall.
The Eldon B. Mahon Courthouse, United States District Court, is located at 501 West 10th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102. It covers the counties of Comanche, Erath, Hood, Jack, Parker, Palo Pinto, Tarrant, and Wise.
The Abilene United States District Court is located at 341 Pine Street, Abilene, TX 79601. It covers the counties of Callahan, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Howard, Jones, Mitchell, Nolan, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, and Throckmorton.
The Amarillo United States District Court is located at 205 SE 5th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101. The Lubbock United States District Court is located at 1205 Texas Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79401.
The San Angelo United States District Court is located at 33 E. Twohig Avenue, San Angelo, TX 76903, and the Wichita Falls United States District Court is located at 1000 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.
Jurisdiction and Structure of the Northern District of Texas
Along with civil cases and constitutional matters, the Northern District of Texas adjudicates federal criminal cases that originate within its jurisdiction, for instance:
- Crimes involving interstate commerce,
- Crimes involving federal agencies,
- Financial institutions or infrastructure,
- Crimes against the U.S. government,
- Crimes that occur on federal or tribal lands, etc.
This district is separate from the Texas state court system, which handles violations of state law.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas represents the United States in civil and criminal litigation in the court.
The U.S. Court of Appeals hears appeals from this court for the Fifth Circuit, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit.
What are the Divisions in the District?
The Northern District of Texas consists of seven divisions, each with its courthouse and each covering a certain set of counties within the region:
- Dallas Division: This division includes the Dallas metropolitan area and surrounding regions and serves as the district's primary headquarters.
- Abilene Division: Serves the central-western part of North Texas.
- Amarillo Division: Covers the Texas Panhandle region.
- Fort Worth Division: Encompasses the Fort Worth area and nearby western regions.
- Lubbock Division: Serves the South Plains region of Texas.
- San Angelo Division: Covers the Concho Valley and surrounding areas.
- Wichita Falls Division: Includes the north-central part of Texas near the Oklahoma border.
The Northern District of Texas is currently served by eleven active district judges who carry full caseloads, along with five senior district judges (i.e., older judges who have served their full tenure but stay on to handle minimal caseloads).
These judges, appointed by the President of the United States for life terms and confirmed by the Senate, bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the bench. They handle most of the federal criminal trials, ensuring a fair and just legal process.
In addition, nine magistrate judges are appointed to four-year terms by the district judges; these judges handle pretrial matters such as issuing warrants and setting bail.
Common Types of Criminal Federal Cases
The Northern District of Texas handles a wide range of federal offenses, ranging from financial crimes to serious offenses involving drugs and firearms. Common types of cases include:
- Drug Trafficking and Possession, Including offenses related to controlled substances such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
- Firearm Offenses: Illegal possession of firearms, firearms trafficking, and violations related to federal firearm regulations.
- White-Collar Crimes: Fraud cases, including wire fraud, mail fraud, healthcare fraud, and securities fraud, which are common in major cities within the district.
- Immigration Offenses: These include cases of illegal re-entry and other immigration-related violations that fall under federal jurisdiction.
- Child Exploitation: Including distribution and possession of child pornography and other offenses involving exploitation or harm to minors.
- Cyber Crimes: These include hacking, identity theft, and other online crimes that cross state or national boundaries.
- Public Corruption: Cases involving government officials or public figures who engage in corrupt practices, bribery, or other related offenses.
- Money Laundering: Financial transactions that involve the proceeds of criminal activity, often linked to organized crime or drug trafficking.
Importance of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney with Federal Court Experience
Navigating a federal criminal case in the Northern District of Texas requires an attorney who is familiar with federal law and the specific practices and preferences of this court.
Federal court procedures and sentencing guidelines can be complex, and understanding the nuances of this particular district can significantly benefit a defendant.
An experienced federal criminal defense attorney in the Northern District of Texas offers the following advantages:
- Knowledge of Local Court Procedures: Familiarity with the unique procedures, judges, and staff of the Northern District can provide a strategic edge in handling motions, evidence, and overall case management.
- Effective Plea Bargaining: Most federal criminal cases are resolved before going to trial, typically through plea deals. An experienced attorney will have established relationships with federal prosecutors, which can be advantageous when negotiating plea deals or reduced charges.
- In-depth Understanding of Federal Sentencing: Federal sentencing guidelines are notoriously strict, but a seasoned attorney can argue for mitigating factors that may reduce the sentence.
- Skilled in Pretrial Motions: Motion practice can be crucial in federal court. Attorneys with experience in this court know the motions that judges are likely to grant and can use them to suppress evidence or even dismiss charges.
- Insight into Jury Selection: A lawyer who understands the demographics and attitudes of potential jurors in the Northern District of Texas can be strategic in selecting a jury likely to be sympathetic to the defense.
For additional information, contact our federal criminal defense law firm, Eisner Gorin LLP, based in Los Angeles, California.
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