A Guide to Tarrant County Diversion Programs and Specialty Courts

Facing criminal charges can be life-altering, but in Tarrant County, diversion programs and specialty courts provide an opportunity for rehabilitation and a second chance. These programs not only help eligible individuals avoid convictions but some also open the door to expunction or sealing of records after completion. This guide covers everything from eligibility requirements, the difference between these and deferred adjudication probation, along with insights to navigate your applicable criminal charges in Tarrant County.

What Are Diversion Programs?

Diversion programs in Tarrant County are designed to rehabilitate offenders, especially first time offenders, by diverting their cases away from traditional prosecution. These programs provide an alternative path for individuals willing to take responsibility for their actions and commit to self-improvement. Some diversion programs are only for first-time offenders. Other specialty courts are designed for particular defendants whom would have otherwise been recommended by the District Attorney’s office to be sent to prison.

Benefits of Diversion Programs and other Specialty Courts:

Avoiding a permanent criminal conviction.
The structure, rehabilitation, and accountability of probation, some without being placed on probation.
A program designed specifically for people in the position of the defendant.
Some allow for the immediate expunction under 71.011 Texas Government Code and Art. 55.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Programs like the Tarrant County First Offender Drug Program (FODP) and the Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP) empower individuals to avoid traditional sentencing and focus on long-term rehabilitation.

Summary Table of Tarrant County Diversion Programs and Specialty Courts

Program Name	Eligibility Requirements	Benefits
First Offender Drug Program (FODP)	Defendants whom have no other pending cases aside from certain drug charges, have never been convicted or have received probation on any case other than class C misdemeanors.	Case dismissal, immediate expunction eligible.
Deferred Prosecution Program (DPP)	Young, first-time offenders, with no prior juvenile adjudications, and have charges stemming from only one criminal episode. No gang-related offenses, or placed anyone in danger.	Case dismissal, immediate expunction eligible,
DIRECT Program	Not a diversion program – it’s a highly structured and intense drug court program for non-violent offenders who need additional monitoring to remain accountable in sobriety.	Shortened probation, or alternative to prison.
Felony Alcohol Intervention Program	Not a diversion program. Repeat DWI offenders (3+ offenses).	Sobriety-focused rehabilitation; 4-year period of probation, and alternative to prison.
Mental Health Diversion Program	Offenders with certain diagnosed mental health conditions. Guilty plea required.	9 month to 2 year period of program. Immediate expunction eligible after completion.
Veteran’s Court Diversion Program (VDP)	Veterans or active-duty service members facing prosecution. Diagnosed mental health issue related to their military service.	8 month to 2 year program. Dismissal of case. Immediate expunction eligible after completion.
Public Safety Employee Treatment Court	Public safety employees facing prosecution. Largely drug-related.	8 month to 2 year program. Dismissal of case.
Youthful Offender Diversion Alternative (YODA)	First-time offenders aged 17–25 charged with simple assault against non-intimate family members.	Case dismissal and immediate expunction eligible upon completion.
First Offender Drug Program (FODP)	Defendants whom have no other pending cases aside from certain drug charges, have never been convicted or have received probation on any case other than class C misdemeanors.	Case dismissal, immediate expunction eligible.

Expunction and Record Sealing after Completion

One of the most significant advantages of many diversion programs in Tarrant County is the potential for expunction or sealing of criminal records after successfully completing a program. This differs from deferred adjudication probation insofar as people who are convicted of a crime or accept a period of deferred adjudication probation are never eligible for an expunction in Texas. Some of the specialty courts run alongside a period of deferred adjudication probation, and in those cases, the defendant completing it may be eligible for a non-disclosure.

What is Expunction?

Expunction allows individuals to obtain an order from the court ordering the government to destroy records of the arrest and court case, making it as if the offense never occurred, since even the government would no longer have records of the arrest and charges. This can avoid problems with employment, housing, and other opportunities.

Sealing of Records (Non-Disclosure Orders)

In some cases where expunction is not available, individuals may petition for a non-disclosure order to seal their records. While the record isn’t erased, it becomes inaccessible to the general public and certain employers.

Eligibility for Expunction After Diversion Programs

Completion of a pre-trial diversion program, such as FODP or DPP.
No additional arrests or charges during the program period.
Meeting all court requirements, such as fines, counseling, or rehabilitation.

The basic requirements to obtain an expunction later down the road are that: (1) the case was never filed or dismissed; and (2) the applicant for the expunction was not placed on deferred adjudication for the case and arrest that the applicant seeks to expunge, unless the case was only a Class C misdemeanor.

Texas law allows for the immediate expunction of cases where an applicant for the expunction has successfully completed a diversion program. In practice, this can sometimes result in a faster expunction than if the case had never been filed, because the most common expunction in Texas is when the case had never been filed or indicted, or was dismissed, and the statute of limitations has passed.

About the Jails in the Cities within Tarrant County

Tarrant County is one of the largest counties in our Lone Star State. It encompasses a diverse range of cities and municipalities. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes crimes that occur in all of the below municipalities, anyone accused of committing a crime in the following cities will most likely be transported to the Tarrant County Jail.

Fort Worth: The county seat and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, it’s also where all of the criminal courts in Tarrant County are located.
Arlington: Known for its entertainment district, including AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas. People arrested in Arlington may first be transported to the Arlington City Jail.
Grapevine: Overlapping with Dallas County and Tarrant County, Grapevine is a historical city featuring wineries and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. People arrested in Grapevine may first be transported to the Grapevine Detention Center.
Southlake: A suburban area offering highly rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods. People arrested in Southlake may first be transported to the Keller Regional Detention Center due to Southlake’s partnership with Keller, which also provides jail services for Colleyville, Roanoke, and Westlake.
Mansfield, Keller, and Hurst: Smaller municipalities with tight-knit communities. People arrested in Mansfield may be transported to the Mansfield city jail. And people in Hurst may first be transported to the Euless City Jail.

Each person arrested on view after being accused of criminal activity may be transported to a different city jail initially upon arrest, but all Texas crimes that are class B misdemeanors or above that happen in Tarrant County will be prosecuted by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

About the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office plays a critical role in the local criminal justice system, handling everything from felony prosecutions to diversion program enforcement.

Who is the Tarrant County District Attorney?

As of 2025, the elected District Attorney is Phil Sorrels, who won his election in November of 2022. He campaigned on a platform of supporting the police in Tarrant County, detaining undocumented residents until deportation, curbing violent crime, and initiating an Election Integrity Task force to prosecute people seeking to cheat in our election process.

Core Responsibilities of the DA’s Office

Prosecution of criminal offenses, including felonies and misdemeanors.
Oversight of specialty courts and diversion programs.
Collaboration with law enforcement agencies across Tarrant County’s municipalities.

Help Handling your Criminal Charges

Legal Representation

Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is essential for navigating eligibility in diversion programs and speciality courts, negotiating with prosecutors when there is a high degree of discretionary to admit a defendant into a program, understanding your rights, and protecting your future.
If you are not eligible for a specialty court or diversion program, it will be necessary to hire skilled criminal defense lawyers who are willing to fight for you.

Why People Choose Pantheon Legal Group, PLLC as their Criminal Defense Lawyers in Tarrant County

Our lawyers are experienced in all manner of cases in Tarrant County. From first time misdemeanors, to habitual offenders with serious criminal charges, Pantheon Legal Group, PLLC has successfully defended clients accused of crimes by the State of Texas.

Our criminal defense law firm boasts almost a perfect satisfaction score by all online review metrics as a testament to our dedication to providing a zealous defense of each and every one of our clients, with active communication, and attention to the concerns of our clients.

Our firm has an office located in Downtown Fort Worth, located at:

1020 Macon Street, #5, Fort Worth, TX 76102

Consultation is free. Contact us to see why so many people are happy choosing Pantheon Legal Group, PLLC as their criminal defense team in Tarrant County.