Texas judge dismisses James Harden misdemeanor gun charge

A Texas judge has dismissed a misdemeanor gun charge against NBA star James Harden, concluding a legal matter that began with his arrest in June. The dismissal was formally granted by a Harris County judge on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after Harden completed an alternative resolution program, according to court records.

The charge stemmed from an incident on June 13, when Houston police arrested Harden after finding a handgun in plain view in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Under Texas law, it is a misdemeanor to have a firearm visibly present in a vehicle without a license, an offense punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The specific violation cited was that the weapon was not in a holster. Harden was released on bail the same morning.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office moved to dismiss the case following Harden's completion of the alternative resolution agreement. Such programs typically involve community service and allow a defendant to avoid a criminal conviction. The exact terms of Harden's agreement were not detailed in public court documents.

Harden, a 36-year-old guard who finished the 2025-26 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is an 11-time...