New Report Reveals Top Crimes Charged in Tarrant County in 2022

 Posted on December 16, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Despite what the news would have people believe, crime has been on a downward trend in the United States in recent years. Fewer crimes are being committed, fewer arrests are made by law enforcement, and fewer people are convicted of criminal offenses. However, this does not mean that crime has been completely eradicated or that those who commit crimes will go unpunished. In Tarrant County alone, tens of thousands of people are arrested and charged with crimes each year. Recently, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney released a report detailing some statistics related to crimes that were prosecuted over the past year. This report provides an indication of the types of offenses that are most likely to lead to arrests and criminal charges. Those who are facing these or other charges can seek representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney to determine the best approach to take during their cases.

Top 3 Criminal Charges in Tarrant County in Fiscal Year 2022

For the fiscal year of 2022, which covered the time between October 2021 and September 2022, the following types of charges resulted in the most criminal cases:

• Felony drug possession - 2,462 people were charged with possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance. Even though this is only a minuscule amount of drugs, an arrest for possession of a controlled substance can result in serious charges. For drugs that are included in Penalty Group 1 or 2 as detailed in the Texas Controlled Substances Act, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, possession of less than one gram is a State Jail Felony. A conviction on these charges will result in a minimum sentence of 180 days in a state jail and a maximum sentence of two years. A person who is convicted may also be fined as much as $10,000.

• Marijuana possession - 2,271 people were charged with possession of less than two ounces of marijuana. While marijuana has been legalized in multiple other states throughout the U.S., it is still considered to be an illegal controlled substance in Texas. The lowest-level offense for possession of marijuana is charged as a Class B misdemeanor, and a conviction can result in a jail sentence of up to 180 days and/or a maximum fine of $2,000.

• Misdemeanor assault - 2,040 people were involved in family violence cases that resulted in charges of assault causing bodily injury. An assault charge may be considered to be family violence if assault was allegedly committed against a family member or someone else who lives in a person's household, as well as a former spouse or romantic partner, a person who is or was previously in a dating relationship with the alleged offender, or the other parent of a person's child. This offense is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, and if convicted, a person may be sentenced to up to one year in jail, fined up to $4,000, or both. 

The other most common charges filed in Tarrant County in 2022 included criminal trespassing and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. While driving while intoxicated (DWI) had previously been one of the top offenses, it fell out of the top five most commonly charged crimes in 2022.

Contact Our Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are arrested in Tarrant County and charged with one of the crimes listed above or any other criminal offense, it is crucial to seek legal representation from an experienced criminal law attorney. At The Dameron Law Firm, our lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, investigate the circumstances surrounding your case, and work to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, Attorney Craig Dameron may be able to negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors, or he may inform you of your options for taking your case to trial. To get the legal help you need for charges such as drug possession or domestic assault, contact our Fort Worth criminal defense attorney today at 817-222-0624 and schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://access.tarrantcounty.com/content/dam/main/Criminal-District-Attorney/annual-cda-reports/2022%20CDA%20Annual%20Report%20OPT.pdf

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.481.htm