Arlington sits at the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and its criminal courts see a high volume of cases across a wide range of charges. If you have been arrested or are facing criminal charges in Arlington, The Goolsby Law Firm is ready to help. Our Arlington criminal defense lawyer brings former prosecutor experience and more than 27 years of practice to every case.

Arlington is located in Tarrant County, so most felony criminal cases from Arlington are handled by the Tarrant County district courts in Fort Worth. Misdemeanor matters are processed through the Arlington Municipal Court or the Tarrant County Courts at Law. The jurisdiction and court assignment depends on the nature and severity of the charges.

Arlington also has its own police department — one of the largest in Texas — and APD is active in DWI enforcement, drug investigations, and domestic violence response. Cases that originate with APD tend to be well-documented and require a thorough review of the investigative process from the moment of first contact.

The Goolsby Law Firm defends Arlington residents and those arrested in Arlington facing charges including:

• DWI / Drunk Driving — Arlington is a major entertainment corridor with significant DWI enforcement activity, particularly near the stadiums and entertainment district. We challenge the stop, the sobriety testing process, and the accuracy of breath or blood results.
• Assault and Family Violence — Tarrant County prosecutors handle assault cases from Arlington aggressively. We address both the criminal charge and any emergency protective orders that may have been issued.
• Drug Possession and Drug Crimes — Whether the charge involves marijuana, prescription drugs, or controlled substances, we evaluate the circumstances of the stop and search and identify all available defenses.
• Theft and Property Crimes — Arlington has several major retail centers, and shoplifting and retail theft charges are common. We defend clients against misdemeanor and felony theft allegations.
• Probation Violations — If your community supervision is based in Tarrant County and you have been accused of a violation, quick legal action can protect you from revocation and incarceration.

Defending a criminal case effectively requires more than knowing the law. It requires understanding the people and the process — the way Arlington police write their reports, the standard charging decisions made by the Tarrant County DA’s office, and what arguments tend to be persuasive in local negotiations and hearings.

Mike Goolsby spent years as a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. That experience gives him a practical, realistic perspective on how cases move through the system and what it actually takes to achieve a favorable outcome for his clients in Arlington and throughout Tarrant County.

The Goolsby Law Firm represents clients in Arlington, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Irving, and throughout the broader Tarrant County area. We also serve clients in Dallas County and Collin County when cases arise across jurisdictional lines.

If you are facing criminal charges in Arlington, call us at (972) 394-2141 for a free in-person consultation.

The Goolsby Law Firm represents clients throughout Arlington, including the Entertainment District near AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, the University of Texas at Arlington area, South Arlington, Pantego, and Dalworthington Gardens. Arlington is one of the largest cities in Tarrant County and a major entertainment destination, which means DWI, assault, and public intoxication charges frequently stem from events, concerts, and postgame activity near the stadium corridors and surrounding venues. We handle criminal matters for clients arrested anywhere in Arlington, from routine traffic stops on I-20 or SH-360 to more serious allegations.

Arlington does not have its own felony or misdemeanor criminal courts. Class C matters are handled at Arlington Municipal Court at 101 W Abram Street. All Class A and B misdemeanors and felony charges arising from Arlington arrests are prosecuted in the Tarrant County Criminal Courts at Law and district courts in Fort Worth, at the Tarrant County Criminal Justice Center at 401 W Belknap Street. The Arlington Police Department makes the arrest, but the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes the case. Mike Goolsby knows the Tarrant County court system and maintains the familiarity with prosecutors and procedures needed to handle cases that originate in Arlington effectively.

AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Esports Stadium Arlington, and the surrounding entertainment area generate a specific category of criminal charges. DWI stops spike on game days. Altercations in parking lots or at nearby bars can lead to assault charges. Public intoxication arrests occur in concentrated numbers during major events. These cases often involve rushed law enforcement decisions in high-crowd environments, and procedural details matter. If you were arrested in or around the Arlington Entertainment District, a defense attorney can examine the circumstances of your arrest and identify any issues that may affect the outcome of your case.

Arrested or facing charges in Arlington? Call The Goolsby Law Firm at (972) 394-2141 for a free consultation. We defend clients throughout Arlington and Tarrant County.