Charged With UCW in DFW? Texas Gun Laws Are Complicated — Your Defense Starts Now.
A UCW — Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon — charge in Texas can happen to good, law-abiding people who simply did not know where the line was. Since Texas passed Constitutional Carry in 2021, there is widespread confusion about what is still illegal — and law enforcement arrests people every day based on situations that may be fully defensible. RTM PLLC defends people charged with UCW and weapons offenses throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and fights to get charges reduced, dismissed, or defeated at trial.
⚠️ Texas Constitutional Carry Does NOT Mean You Can Carry Anywhere — Here Is What Is Still Illegal
Texas House Bill 1927 — which took effect September 1, 2021 — allows most Texans 21 and older to carry a handgun without a License to Carry. But constitutional carry has significant limits that many people do not fully understand. You can still be arrested and charged with UCW in Texas even under constitutional carry. RTM PLLC defends clients whose charges stem from confusion about where the law actually draws the line.
You Can Still Be Charged With UCW in Texas If:
- You are under 21 years old — constitutional carry only applies to those 21 and older
- You are a convicted felon — felons are prohibited from possessing firearms under Texas Penal Code §46.04
- You have a Class A or B misdemeanor conviction within the last five years
- You are subject to a protective order or family violence conviction
- You were carrying in a prohibited location — including schools, polling places, courts, bars, hospitals, amusement parks, places of worship, and government buildings
- You were intoxicated while carrying a handgun
- You were carrying a prohibited weapon — including illegal knives, brass knuckles, explosive weapons, and machine guns
- You were carrying a handgun in a manner designed to alarm others
- The business had proper 30.06 or 30.07 signage posted prohibiting carry
- You carried onto premises of a business that derived 51% or more of income from alcohol sales
What Are the Penalties for a UCW Charge in Texas?
A UCW conviction in Texas carries serious consequences that go far beyond fines and potential jail time. The long-term collateral consequences can affect your employment, housing, professional licenses, and gun rights for years. RTM PLLC fights hard to avoid a conviction on your record entirely.
- Class A Misdemeanor — up to one year in county jail and up to $4,000 in fines for most UCW charges
- Third Degree Felony — 2 to 10 years in prison if you have a prior felony conviction or were carrying on certain premises
- Loss of your right to possess firearms if convicted of a felony UCW charge
- Permanent criminal record affecting employment background checks
- Loss of professional licenses in certain fields
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens — including deportation risk
- Enhanced penalties on any future criminal charges
How RTM PLLC Defends UCW Charges in DFW
Every UCW case is different and the defense strategy depends entirely on the specific facts of your arrest. RTM PLLC reviews every detail — from the initial stop to the search to the arrest — to identify every available defense. Here are the most common and effective defenses in Texas UCW cases.
- Unlawful stop or detention — if law enforcement had no legal basis to stop you the evidence may be suppressed
- Illegal search and seizure — if the weapon was found during an unlawful search your Fourth Amendment rights were violated and the evidence may be thrown out
- Lack of knowledge — you did not know the weapon was present such as in a bag or vehicle belonging to someone else
- No intentional carry — the circumstances do not meet the legal definition of intentionally or knowingly carrying
- Location defense — the location where you were carrying was not actually a prohibited premises under Texas law
- Constitutional carry eligibility — you were legally permitted to carry under HB 1927 and the arrest was based on outdated or incorrect application of the law
- Prohibited sign defense — the required 30.06 or 30.07 signage was not properly posted or did not meet legal requirements
- Identity defense — you were not the person in possession of the weapon
A UCW Conviction Can Follow You for Life — Fight It Now
Many people make the mistake of thinking a UCW charge is minor and accept a plea deal without understanding the long-term consequences. A UCW conviction — even a misdemeanor — shows up on background checks and can cost you jobs, housing, and professional opportunities for years. RTM PLLC fights to get UCW charges dismissed, reduced to a non-conviction outcome, or defeated at trial to protect your record and your future.
RTM PLLC Handles UCW Cases in Courts Throughout DFW
- Dallas County Criminal Courts — including Dallas County Criminal Court at Law and Dallas County District Courts
- Tarrant County Criminal Courts — including Fort Worth Municipal Court and Tarrant County District Courts
- Collin County Criminal Courts — including McKinney and Plano courts
- Denton County Criminal Courts
- Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, and Johnson County courts
- Federal courts in the Northern District of Texas when federal weapons charges apply
Frequently Asked Questions — UCW Charges in Texas
I thought Texas was a constitutional carry state — why was I arrested for UCW? Constitutional carry allows most Texans 21 and older to carry without a License to Carry in most places — but there are significant exceptions for location, age, criminal history, and type of weapon. Law enforcement sometimes arrests people based on outdated interpretations of the law. RTM PLLC reviews exactly what happened in your case and challenges arrests that were not legally justified.
Can a UCW charge be dismissed in Texas? Yes — in many cases. Dismissal may be possible if your constitutional rights were violated during the stop or search, if the evidence does not support the charge, or if you qualify for a pretrial diversion program. RTM PLLC pursues every available path to dismissal before considering any other resolution.
Can I get a UCW charge expunged in Texas? If your UCW charge is dismissed or you are acquitted at trial you may be eligible for expunction — which completely removes the arrest from your record. If you receive deferred adjudication you may be eligible for a non-disclosure order. RTM PLLC discusses record clearing options with every client as part of the overall defense strategy.
What if the weapon was found in my car during a traffic stop? Vehicle searches are one of the most common sources of UCW charges in DFW. RTM PLLC scrutinizes the legality of every traffic stop and vehicle search — if law enforcement did not have legal justification to search your vehicle the evidence may be suppressed and the charge dismissed.
How quickly do I need to hire an attorney after a UCW arrest in Texas? Immediately. The prosecution begins building their case from day one. Early retention of RTM PLLC allows us to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, challenge the legality of the arrest, and engage with the prosecutor before positions become entrenched. Do not wait.
Charged With UCW in DFW? RTM PLLC Is Ready to Fight for You — Call Today.
A UCW charge is serious but it is not the end of the road. RTM PLLC fights hard to protect your rights, your record, and your future throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Call us today at (254) 421-4442 for a free confidential consultation. The sooner you call the more we can do for you.