Harris County County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 is a misdemeanor court located on the 10th Floor of the Harris County Criminal Justice Center at 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, TX 77002. The Criminal Justice Center houses all sixteen County Criminal Courts at Law, the felony district courts, the District Attorney's Office, and the criminal sections of the District and County Clerks, so nearly every step of a Harris County misdemeanor case happens in this one building. Our office at 310 Main, Suite 201 is a two-block walk away.
Jurisdiction of County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
Misdemeanor Criminal Cases
County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 is a statutory county court with jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors filed in Harris County. Class C misdemeanors are heard in the justice of the peace and municipal courts and come to a County Criminal Court at Law only on appeal. Felonies are heard in the district courts on the upper floors of the same building.
Common types of cases heard in County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
- Driving While Intoxicated — First Offense (Class B) and DWI with a BAC of 0.15 or more (Class A)
- Driving While Intoxicated — Second Offense (Class A)
- Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces (Class B) and 2 to 4 ounces (Class A)
- Theft $100 – $750 (Class B) and $750 – $2,500 (Class A)
- Assault Family Member and Assault Causing Bodily Injury (Class A)
- Criminal Trespass, Evading on Foot, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Solicitation of Prostitution appeals, and Protective Order violations
Most Harris County misdemeanor cases begin with an arraignment setting a few weeks after arrest, followed by pretrial settings while the State produces the offense report, body-camera video, and lab results. Many settings can be handled by your attorney without you present, but each court's own rules control and we tell every client exactly when they must appear. Many Harris County misdemeanor courts also offer pretrial diversion and deferred adjudication that can keep a first offense off your record — we explain every option before you decide.
Parking for County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
The Criminal Justice Center sits at the corner of Franklin and San Jacinto in downtown Houston. Paid surface lots and garages surround the building along Franklin, Congress, and Caroline, and the METRORail Red Line stops at Preston two blocks away. Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early: the security line at the Franklin Street entrance and the elevator wait to the 10th Floor can both be long on docket mornings. Weapons and pocket knives are not allowed in the building.
Judge of County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
Judge Genesis Draper
Judge Genesis Draper presides over Harris County County Criminal Court at Law No. 12. A county criminal court at law judge interprets the law, rules on motions to suppress evidence and other pretrial matters, sets and modifies bond conditions, accepts pleas, and presides over misdemeanor jury trials. A judge may only interact with you about your case when the other side is present, so all communication with the court should go through your attorney.
Court Staff of County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
Crystal Kennerson — Court Coordinator
The court coordinator manages the court's docket and can confirm your court date, whether a court-appointed attorney has been assigned, and whether a reset has been granted. If you have a lawyer, your lawyer should be the one calling. If you are unrepresented, keep any call strictly to scheduling — court staff cannot give legal advice and anything you say about the facts of your case can be repeated.
Elondria Young — Court Reporter
The court reporter creates the official verbatim record of hearings and trials. That record is what the Court of Appeals reviews if the case is appealed, which is why we make sure objections and rulings are stated clearly on the record.
Rules About Contacting the Court
Judges cannot speak with you about your case over the phone or in the hallway. Canon 3, Section B(8) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications — communications about a pending case made outside the presence of the other party. Do not write letters to the judge, do not try to explain your side to court staff, and do not contact the prosecutor on your own. Have an attorney handle these matters.
Contact for County Criminal Court at Law No. 12
(832) 927-3375 Court Coordinator / Main Line
(832) 927-3395 Fax
10th Floor, Harris County Criminal Justice Center, 1201 Franklin Street, Houston, TX 77002
Court hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with dockets usually called at 9:00 a.m. Case information and settings are available online through the Harris County District Clerk's website (hcdistrictclerk.com).
Charged with a Case in County Criminal Court at Law No. 12?
Brian Foley and Luis Baez are former Harris County prosecutors who tried cases in this building for years before founding Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC. Brian is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and served as a Felony Chief Prosecutor; Luis is a former Trial Bureau Chief. If you have a court date in County Criminal Court at Law No. 12, call or text (713) 703-1718 for a free, confidential consultation before you go.
See all Harris County criminal courts.