Harris County

Harris County is located in the southeastern region of Texas. It is currently the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the nation. As of 2016, Harris County takes up 16 percent of Texas’s population with 4,652,980 people.

In addition to a booming population in Texas, there is also a thriving economy. Texas is a leader in the energy industry, particularly oil. The city of Houston is particularly successful and was ranked #1 for paycheck worth by Forbes in 2012.

The elements of a prosperous economy and a growing population do increase crime in Harris County, Texas. Consequently, this means law enforcement is always on high alert. Arrest and criminal charges wait for those violating Texas laws and regulations.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Harris County, it is crucial that you gain trusted legal representation.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Harris County, Texas

Have you been arrested for a crime in the Harris County area? Are you unsure on what to do next? If so, it is important that you seek an experienced criminal defense attorney. Do not be idle in this process. Call the attorneys at The Benken Law Firm today.

Brian Benken at The Benken Law Firm has years of experience practicing Texas criminal law. He is passionate about defending the rights of our clients. Attorney Brian Benken is dedicated to his client’s needs, and will exhaust all resources to obtain the best possible result for your case. Contact Brian Benken at The Benken Law Firm to speak to a knowledgeable attorney today.

Be proactive with your defense. The Benken Law Firm practices law throughout every part of Harris County including Houston communities such as Meyerland, Magnolia Park, and Westchase.

Call Brian Benken at (713) 223 - 4051 for a free consultation.

Overview for Harris County in Texas

Common Offenses Committed in Harris County, Texas

Harris County is growing at a massive rate, both in population and economy. This means that law enforcement constantly on the lookout for potential offenders. If you have been charged with a crime, it is important that you are prepared what may happen. With the assistance of an attorney, you can formulate a strong defense for your case.

Some common crimes a person can be charged in Harris County include:

Crime Statistics in Harris County, Texas

Harris County’s law enforcement is always on the lookout for crime. Police officers are trained to spot any signs of potential offenses and arrest with probable cause. You must have legal representation if you are charged with a crime in the greater Houston area.

The following is some arrest data collected by the Department of Public Safety through their Uniform Crime Reporting program in 2015.

  • In 2015, law enforcement officers made 829,051 arrests
  • Out of all those arrested, 6.3 percent were 16 years old or younger
  • Theft accounted for 62.6 percent of all criminal arrests
  • 67,358 aggravated assaults were reported in 2015
  • Residential burglaries accounted for 69 percent of all reported burglaries
  • 67,081 people were arrested for motor vehicle theft
  • Police officers reported 194,872 family violence incidents
  • 18,636 sexual assaults were reported by law enforcement in 2015

Texas Court Resources

Harris County Criminal Courts – One of 16 County Criminal Courts at law, Harris County Criminal Court presides over Class A and B misdemeanors. The County Court is presided over by a Presiding Judge who is elected every six months to chair administrative meetings. You can locate the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law at 1201 Franklin Street in the Houston, Texas.

Harris County District Courts – Texas District courts have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, but also handles other types of cases such as civil matters of at least $200. Harris County is home to 60 district courts, and each is considered a separate court. You can locate your nearest court location on their website.

Harris County District Clerk – Chris Daniel is the current District Clerk for Harris County, Texas. He heads an office staffed by approximately 550 people and oversees a 36 million budget for the court. The District Clerk maintains records and runs jury service. You can locate Chris Daniel at 201 Caroline Street in suite 420 in Houston.

First Court of Appeals – Cases that are appealed from district and county courts go to the Texas Court of Appeals. The court is composed of a chief justice, eight justices, and a clerk. Each justice is selected for a six-year term and clerks are appointed for four-year terms. You can locate the First Court of Appeals at 201 Fannin Street room 208 in the city of Houston, Texas.

Harris County District Attorney – Kim Ogg is the present Harris County District Attorney and prosecutes criminal cases in Harris County. The District Attorney’s office is comprised of 329 prosecutors, 90 investigators, and 277 support personnel. You can locate Kim Ogg at 500 Jefferson Street in Houston, Texas.

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals– The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal cases. The court is composed of a Presiding Judge and eight judges. This court of criminal appeals is located in Austin, Texas near the state capital.

Texas Supreme Court – The highest court in the state of Texas is the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice and eight justices, and they handle all last resort legal issues. You can locate the Texas Supreme Court at 201 W. 14th Street, room 104 in the city of Austin.

Texas Law Enforcement Resources

Harris County Sheriff – Ed Gonzalez is the current Sheriff for Harris County. The Harris County Sheriff is the largest sheriff’s office in the state of Texas. Currently 4,600 personnel and 200 reservists who are devoted to ensuring the safety of Harris County residents employ the office. You can locate the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 1200 Baker Street in Houston, Texas.

Houston Police Department – Art Acevado is the current Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department. The Houston Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Houston and some surrounding areas. You can locate the Houston Police Department at 1200 Travis Street in Houston, Texas.

Texas Highway Patrol – The Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety that is responsible for overseeing rail, aviation, and public transportation systems. Additionally, they are the law enforcement for drivers on the highways of Texas.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) regulates and manages the prisons, state jail, and other detention facilities in Texas. The department runs programs to promote the efficiency of law enforcement such as the Board of Criminal Justice and rehabilitative programs for released felons.

Texas Department of Public Safety – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) protects and serves Texas by enhancing public safety through state programs. DPS is also responsible for the supervision of law enforcement and regulation of vehicles.

Additional Resources

Texas Statutes – Visit the official website for the Texas laws and regulations. Here you can access state laws that are organized by subject area code. All statutes are updated annually by laws that create, repeal, transfer or amend statutory material.

Texas Criminal Justice Process – Visit a citizen’s guide to the Texas Criminal Justice Process created by the State Bar of Texas Criminal Justice Section. Find more information about statutory penalties, criminal procedures, and rights of defendants.

Criminal Defense Lawyer for Harris County, Texas

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in the Harris County area, it is in your best interest to gain trusted legal representation. With the assistance of an attorney, you may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges.

Attorney Brian Benken has represented numerous people charged with crimes in the greater Houston area. He understands that the criminal pre-trial and trial process is confusing. That is why he wants to help you. Brian Benken will work tirelessly on your case to help you obtain the best possible results. Get ahead of the prosecution and start your defense today. Call attorney Brian Benken at (713) 223 - 4051.

The Benken Law Firm represents clients throughout every part of Harris County such as Alief, Brays Oaks, Westchase, and Magnolia Park.

This article was last updated on October 4, 2018.

(713) 223 - 4051
Benken Law