Dallas County Criminal Lawyer

Why Does It Take So Long to Get Updates on My Criminal Case?

At Texas Defenders, we know how stressful it is to wait for news about your criminal case. Many of our clients ask why they aren't hearing regular updates or why it feels like nothing is happening. We want to assure you: we are working hard on your case every single day.

The reality is that criminal cases often move much slower than people expect. There are multiple steps that have to happen behind the scenes before your case can progress. This is true even if it feels like things are "stuck" or "silent."

What Happens After We Are Hired

• As soon as you hire Texas Defenders, we immediately file our Letter of Representation with the court.

• We then request the police reports, video evidence, and any other materials from the District Attorney's office.

• After those requests are made, we have to wait for the DA to respond and provide the evidence.

Unfortunately, this waiting period can take several months. Some counties are faster than others, but due to high caseloads and administrative delays, it is very normal for cases to move slowly.

Our Promise to You

We want you to know that even if you don't hear from us every week, we are actively monitoring your case. As soon as we receive discovery materials or substantive updates, we will contact you immediately.

Our typical client communication about updates sounds like this:

"There are no substantive updates on your case. We have filed everything on our end for your case. We are still awaiting responses from the DA. This process takes a long time, but as soon as we have the evidence on the case, we will let you know."

Common Reasons for Delays:

• The District Attorney's office takes time to prepare and release discovery.

• Court dockets are often overloaded.

• COVID-era backlogs still impact how quickly cases move through the system.

• Negotiations or case review discussions between prosecutors and defense counsel take time.

What You Can Expect Going Forward

We will:

• Notify you immediately when we receive evidence or important information.

• Keep track of every court setting and deadline for your case.

• Stay in constant communication with the DA's office to move your case forward as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, the best thing you can do is to be patient and trust that we are working hard behind the scenes. If you want to better understand the full criminal case process, you can read our detailed guide here: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Texas Criminal Case.

Final Thoughts

We understand how stressful it is to feel like you're waiting in the dark. But know this: at Texas Defenders, your case is never forgotten. We are constantly pushing for the best possible outcome and will keep you informed as soon as there are real developments.

If you ever have specific questions about your case status, feel free to call us at 214-306-9696. We are here to support you through every step of the process.