Collin County Criminal History Records
Collin County criminal history records are maintained by the District Clerk, County Clerk, and Sheriff's Office in McKinney. You can search felony and misdemeanor cases online, request certified copies, or look up arrest and booking records from the county jail. Collin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas and operates a busy court system serving over a million residents across the Dallas northern suburbs. This page covers how to find, access, and request criminal history records for Collin County.
Collin County Overview
Collin County District Clerk Records
The Collin County District Clerk is the official keeper of all felony criminal case records in the county. The office handles filings, stores case documents, and gives the public access to court records. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. The District Clerk's office is located at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney.
Felony criminal records at the District Clerk include grand jury indictments, sentencing orders, judgments, motions, and all documents filed in district court criminal cases. The District Clerk coordinates with the Texas DPS Crime Records Service to report all felony convictions to the state criminal history database. This means felony cases in Collin County show up in statewide record checks.
You can access records through the Collin County website at collincountytx.gov/districtclerk. Certified copies of court records are available upon request. Fees follow the schedule set under Texas Government Code. The office also provides e-filing services for attorneys and keeps permanent archival records of all felony convictions.
| Office | Collin County District Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2100 Bloomdale Rd, McKinney, TX 75071 |
| Website | collincountytx.gov/districtclerk |
Misdemeanor Records in Collin County
The Collin County Clerk maintains records for the County Courts at Law. This office handles Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal case files. If you need to look up a misdemeanor case, the County Clerk is where you start. You can search by case number, defendant name, or date of offense.
Records kept by the County Clerk include criminal complaints, judgments, fines, community supervision orders, and full case disposition information. The office reports all misdemeanor convictions to DPS for the statewide criminal history database. Certified copies of court documents are issued with statutory fees. The Collin County Clerk's office is reachable at collincountytx.gov/countyclerk.
Collin County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Collin County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest reports, incident reports, and jail booking records for all arrests made in the county. The office runs the Collin County Jail and keeps detailed records of every person booked in, including charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Booking photos and inmate classification records are part of the system as well.
The Sheriff transmits all arrest and booking data to the Texas DPS Crime Records Service for the state criminal history database. You can request law enforcement records under the Texas Public Information Act. Active warrant records, warrants served, and recall documentation are also maintained. The Sheriff's Office participates in both NCIC and TCIC for sharing criminal information across agencies. Visit collincountytx.gov/sheriff for current jail roster and inmate search.
The Sheriff's Office also handles civil process records, traffic citations, and accident reports. These are kept according to state records retention schedules.
The office at collincountytx.gov processes public information requests through the county Public Information Office.
Collin County District Attorney
The Collin County District Attorney's Office handles prosecution of all felony cases and misdemeanor cases appealed from county courts. The office keeps prosecution files including case records, witness statements, evidence documentation, and plea agreements. Victim services staff maintain records of victim notifications and restitution orders.
The DA's office works with law enforcement agencies throughout the county to screen cases for prosecution. It reports case dispositions to the court clerks, which in turn sends that data to DPS for the statewide criminal history database. Grand jury records, including indictments and no-bills, are maintained for all felony cases presented. The office has specialized units for family violence, child abuse, and economic crimes. Public access to prosecution files is limited under the Texas Public Information Act to protect witness identities. You can reach the DA's office at collincountytx.gov/districtattorney.
How to Search Collin County Criminal Records
You have a few ways to search criminal history records in Collin County. Online portals are the fastest option. You can also visit the courthouse in person or submit a written request by mail.
For court records, start with the District Clerk's online search at collincountytx.gov/districtclerk. You can search by name or case number. The statewide re:SearchTX system also lets you find Collin County court records along with cases from other Texas counties. Both systems show party names, docket entries, and case status. For the most complete record, a certified copy from the clerk's office is the way to go.
For a full criminal history that includes records from all Texas counties and state agencies, the Texas DPS Crime Records Service provides official state background checks. The Texas Courts system at txcourts.gov also has useful information about court structure and how to request records.
The following information is useful when searching:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth
- Case number, if known
- Approximate year of the offense or filing
- Type of offense (felony vs. misdemeanor)
Texas Law and Collin County Criminal Records
Criminal history records in Texas are governed by several laws. Texas Government Code Chapter 411 sets the rules for the state criminal history database and who can access it. The DPS Crime Records Service runs this database and provides both public access and agency access depending on the type of request.
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 66 covers the criminal history record system itself, including what agencies must report and how records are maintained. The Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552) governs access to public records, including criminal records held by county offices. The Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division handles disputes and rulings about public records access.
Penalties for criminal offenses in Texas are spelled out in Texas Penal Code Chapter 12. Knowing the offense level helps you understand what type of record a charge would generate. Felonies go to the District Court; misdemeanors go to the County Court at Law or JP Court depending on the class.
Note: Records of offenses that have been expunged or sealed under a nondisclosure order are not available through public searches.
State Correctional Records
When someone is convicted of a felony in Collin County and sent to state prison, their records move to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The TDCJ offender search lets you look up current and former Texas state inmates. This is separate from county jail records. TDCJ records show conviction information, sentence length, and parole or discharge status.
The Texas Association of Counties also provides useful information about how county criminal justice systems work across Texas, which can help you understand where to go for the specific type of record you need.
Collin County Record Sources
The Collin County official website is the central hub for criminal justice record access, with links to the District Clerk, County Clerk, Sheriff, and DA offices all in one place.
The county website provides direct links to court search portals, public information request forms, and agency contact information for all departments handling criminal records.
The Collin County Sheriff's Office maintains the jail roster and booking records system. You can search current inmates and review arrest information through the Sheriff's online tools.
The Sheriff's Office updates the jail roster regularly and provides online access to current inmate information, including charges and bond status.
Cities in Collin County
Collin County includes several large cities. All felony criminal cases go through the Collin County District Court system regardless of which city the offense occurred in.
Other communities in Collin County include Wylie, Prosper, Celina, Lovejoy, Murphy, and Sachse. All criminal cases from these areas are handled by the Collin County court system.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Collin County. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check which county the address falls in.