Criminal records in Collin County, Texas, can be accessed through several channels. CollinCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Beyond that, the county's official court search portals, the District Clerk's office, the County Clerk's office, and the Collin County Sheriff's Office all provide access to criminal records. The Texas Department of Public Safety also maintains a statewide criminal history database.
How to Search Criminal Records in Collin County
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Collin County, depending on the type of record you need and how you want to access it.
Online Searches
- CollinCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by name or case number.
- Collin County Courts Records Inquiry (Odyssey) — The county's official public access portal. Select "Criminal Courts" to search district and county court criminal case records by defendant name or case number. This system includes jail records and bond records as well.
- Collin County Case Information — A unified search tool covering active and historical cases across District Courts, County Courts at Law, and Justice Courts. You can also check active warrants through this tool.
- Texas DPS Criminal History Name Search — For statewide criminal history reports. This is a name-based search through the Texas Department of Public Safety's Crime Records Division.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Search — Browse or search for individuals currently incarcerated in the Collin County Jail, including those released within the past 24 hours.
In Person
- Visit the Collin County District Clerk's office for felony case records. The District Clerk maintains criminal cases filed from 1988 to the present.
- Visit the County Court at Law Clerks' office for Class A and B misdemeanor records and Class C appeals.
- Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse for self-service lookups.
By Mail or Written Request
- District Clerk: Use the District Clerk Record Request Form and submit by mail or email.
- County Clerk: Use the County Clerk Record Request Form for misdemeanor A/B criminal records.
- Sheriff's Office: Submit open records requests through the Sheriff's Office Open Records page under the Texas Public Information Act.
- Texas DPS: Written requests for statewide criminal history can be submitted to the Crime Records Division.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (for traffic-related cases)
Search Collin County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. In Texas, criminal case numbers typically follow a format assigned by the court where the case was filed. The structure varies by court level:
- District Court cases — Generally begin with a county or court identifier followed by a sequential number and the year of filing (e.g., 219-81234-2024). The first digits often correspond to the district court number.
- County Court at Law cases — Usually carry a prefix indicating the county court at law number, followed by a sequential case number and filing year.
Enter the case number exactly as it appears on court documents. On the Collin County Courts Records Inquiry portal, select "Criminal Courts" and enter the case number in the appropriate field. The system will return the matching case with all associated docket entries, charges, and hearing dates.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Collin County
Criminal case records in Collin County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Texas Penal Code or Health & Safety Code section the defendant is charged under |
| Charge Description | Plain-language description of the offense |
| Severity | Felony (capital, 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree, state jail) or Misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C) |
| Amended Charges | If the original charge was modified through plea negotiation or prosecutorial discretion, the amended charge appears separately |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case is filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently proceeding through the court |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.) |
| Closed | All obligations fulfilled; case is administratively closed |
Hearings
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea
- Pre-trial hearing — Motions, discovery issues, and plea discussions are addressed
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes punishment after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the prosecution or court |
| No Bill | Grand jury declined to indict (felony cases) |
| Deferred Adjudication | Defendant placed on community supervision; if completed, no final conviction is entered |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Collin County
Certified copies carry an official seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes. The office you contact depends on the case type.
Felony Records — District Clerk
The District Clerk's criminal division handles all felony case records. Requests can be made in person or by mail/email using the District Clerk Record Request Form.
Misdemeanor Records — County Clerk
The County Clerk's office maintains Class A and B misdemeanor criminal records. Submit requests using the County Clerk Record Request Form online or contact the office directly.
Sheriff's Office Records
For arrest records, offense reports, mugshots, and dispatch logs, submit an open records request to the Collin County Sheriff's Office under the Texas Public Information Act.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Texas criminal history report, contact the Texas DPS Crime Records Services. You will need the individual's full name and date of birth. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for certain authorized purposes under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Sufficient identifying information about the subject (full name, DOB, case number)
- Written authorization may be required if requesting another person's records through DPS
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Collin County
Sheriff's Office Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inmate Mugshot Photo | $5.00 |
| Offense Report | $5.00 |
| Dispatch Incident Log | $3.00 |
Additional fees may apply for other record types. A full fee schedule is available through the Sheriff's Office open records page.
Texas DPS Criminal History
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name-based criminal history search (public) | $3.00 per name |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history (authorized requestors) | Varies by purpose |
Court Record Copies
| Item | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per page plus certification fee |
Exact fees for certified court documents should be confirmed with the District Clerk or County Clerk, as they may vary based on document length and type. The District Clerk accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for criminal filing fees, fines, and court costs.
Processing Times
- Online searches: Immediate results for case information available in the public access system
- In-person requests: Often same-day for standard copies, though certified copies may take longer
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- Texas DPS name search: Online results are usually immediate after payment
- Sheriff's Office open records: The Texas Public Information Act requires a response within 10 business days