How Long Do Criminal Cases Take in Bexar County?

Bexar County Misdemeanor Timelines

Bexar County misdemeanor cases in the Courts at Law at Cadena-Reeves typically resolve in 3 to 12 months from arrest to final disposition. First-offense DWI cases with straightforward facts resolve toward the shorter end. Cases with contested Fourth Amendment issues, BAC evidence challenges, or SFST disputes take longer because they require suppression hearings before any plea or trial. Cases that proceed to trial take the longest.

Bexar County Felony Timelines

Felony cases in the Bexar County District Courts at Cadena-Reeves typically take 6 months to 2 years or longer. After arrest, the case must be presented to a Bexar County grand jury for indictment before proceeding. Grand jury presentation typically occurs within 90 to 120 days of arrest. After indictment, the case proceeds through pretrial hearings, motion practice, and ultimately trial or plea. Intoxication assault cases and felony DWI cases with multiple counts or serious injuries can take longer.

What Affects the Timeline in Bexar County

• Evidence complexity — SAPD bodycam, Bexar County Crime Lab results, and multiple witnesses each require complete review
• Suppression motions — Fourth Amendment challenges require briefing and a hearing at Cadena-Reeves
• Blood test results — Bexar County Crime Lab typically returns results in 60 to 90 days post-arrest
• Court docket — Cadena-Reeves carries significant caseloads; scheduling depends on court availability
• Trial — a contested trial typically adds months to the resolution timeline

The ALR Proceeding Runs on a Separate Timeline

For DWI cases, the Administrative License Revocation proceeding before SOAH runs completely separately from the Cadena-Reeves criminal case. ALR hearings are typically scheduled 60 to 120 days after the hearing request. The criminal case and the ALR proceeding run simultaneously. Our San Antonio DWI attorneys manage both timelines from day one.

Why Timeline Length Matters for Your Defense

A longer timeline is not necessarily bad. It provides more time for complete evidence review, SAPD open records production, and suppression motion preparation. Cases that rush to resolution often leave defense opportunities unexplored. The right timeline is the one that allows the defense to be fully prepared. See our San Antonio criminal defense page.