Travis County Criminal Courthouse Location and Parking
It is very common to be confused about basic matters such as the location of the Travis county courthouse in Austin, Tx, where to park for a court appearance, and where specific Travis county criminal courts are located. The Travis County Criminal Court System is comprised of eight District Courts, a District Magistrate Court, seven County Courts at Law, and one Drug Court that hear criminal cases in Travis County. All Travis county criminal cases—both felony and misdemeanor--are handled at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center
509 West 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
County Websites For Checking Court Dates and Inmate Information
Arriving and Parking in Downtown Austin Near the Courthouse
If you're traveling by personal vehicle, please remember that the busy area around the Blackwell-Thurman Center provides paid-only parking, and you will not be reimbursed for parking expenses. You may need to allow extra time to locate space at a meter or garage. Parking meters around the courthouse are plentiful and accept quarters and/or visa/mastercard. You should plan to walk several blocks from your parking spot to the courthouse. Hourly parking costs slightly more than $1/hr, and can be paid at the meters or through various smartphone parking apps. Daily parking costs usually run between $10-$18, and can be paid with a credit card or exact dollar amount. Some garages accept payment at a kiosk in lieu of an attendant. For those without access to a car, alternate transportation may be available—check out the Capital Metro's website at Capital Metro to get information on available bus or train service in your area.
It's also best to arrive at least 15 minutes early at the building itself, so you can park your vehicle, walk to the courthouse, wait in the elevator line, and locate the court room and chat with your attorney about last-minute details. You can ensure that your appearance goes smoothly by following the courtroom conduct and clothing rules. Please note that you must enter the courthouse through a metal detector and x-ray machine which will scan all bags and coats. Certain items cannot be carried into the courthouse such as weapons and drug paraphernalia. Security personnel will confiscate them and they may not be returned even if the items themselves are ordinarily legal to possess.
Felony Courts in Travis County
The Travis County Criminal District Courts preside over felony cases. There are eight District courts and one District Magistrate Court dedicated to criminal matters. The District Courts are located on floors 2-3 and 7-9 of the Criminal Justice building as indicated below.
147th District Court
Judge Cliff Brown
7th Floor
167th District Court
Judge David Wahlberg
8th Floor
299th District Court
Judge Karen Sage
8th Floor
331st District Court
Judge David Crain
9th Floor
390th District Court
Judge Julie Kocurek
7th Floor
403rd District Court
Judge Brenda Kennedy
2nd Floor
427th District Court
Judge Tamara Needles
3rd Floor
450th District Court
Judge Brad Urrutia
9th Floor
460th District Court
Judge Geoffrey Puryear
2nd Floor
Magistrate Court
Judge Leon Grizzard
Varies
Misdemeanor Courts in Travis County
What Happens Next?
If you or a loved one has just been charged with a criminal offense, you may be wondering what happens next. Fortunately, while your case is unique, the criminal court process follows a predictable pattern. Your lawyer will likely attend multiple court appearances on your behalf before you ever have to appear before a judge. After a number of these settings in either misdemeanor or felony court in Travis county, you will probably eventually have to appear in court. These appearances will continue every month or so as your attorney works out a resolution and final disposition of the charges against you. You will also need to attend pre-trial and motion hearings and jury trial settings. Your attorney will let you know whether or not your appearance is required at any specific court setting.
Hire an Experienced Lawyer
Since the consequences for criminal charges can be severe, you shouldn't leave your situation to chance—never attend court appearances without skilled legal representation. If you're financially able, you'll want to hire a Travis County Criminal Defense Lawyer who understands the rules and laws affecting your case, as well as Travis County's unique court system. If you are experiencing financial hardship and meet eligibility requirements, the Travis County Courts Defense Act may provide representation at no cost to you. You can review the application for program assistance here.
Russ Hunt Jr. Frequently Represents Clients in Travis County Courts
Criminal defense is a complex area of law that deals with challenging legal and scientific issues. Criminal Defense Attorney Russell D. Hunt Jr. provides outstanding legal representation to individuals arrested and facing criminal charges in Travis county and throughout Central Texas. Please contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation.
The Central Texas communities below are served by Travis county courts
- Austin
- Bee Cave
- Cedar Park
- Creedmoor
- Elgin
- Jonestown
- Lago Vista
- Lakeway
- Leander
- Manor
- Mustang Ridge
- Pflugerville
- Rollingwood
- Round Rock
- Sunset Valley
- West Lake Hills
Russ Hunt, Jr. is known for powerful, intelligent representation.
Schedule your free no-obligation case evaluation.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT RUSS