Collin County Criminal Records

What Is Collin County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Collin County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records document the complete criminal history of individuals who have been arrested, charged, or convicted of criminal offenses in Collin County, Texas. Pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.082, criminal history record information includes arrests, prosecutions, and the disposition of criminal charges.

Several key distinctions exist within the criminal records system:

• Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. It is important to note that an arrest does not necessarily lead to a conviction.

• Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment in state facilities for periods exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by county jail terms of less than one year and/or fines.

• Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 17 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (under 17) are typically sealed and confidential under Texas Family Code § 58.003.

• Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Collin County:

Collin County Sheriff's Office
4300 Community Avenue
McKinney, TX 75071
972-547-5100
Collin County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.

Collin County District Clerk
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132
McKinney, TX 75071
972-548-4320
Collin County District Clerk

The District Clerk maintains felony case records and dispositions.

Collin County Clerk
2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2104
McKinney, TX 75071
972-548-4185
Collin County Clerk

The County Clerk maintains misdemeanor case records and dispositions.

Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Service
PO Box 4143
Austin, TX 78765
512-424-2000
Texas DPS Crime Records

Comprehensive criminal records typically include information about charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation/parole status. The Collin County case information system provides a centralized database for accessing many of these records.

Are Criminal Records Public In Collin County

Criminal records in Collin County are generally considered public information under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Texas Public Information Act states that "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body." This provision ensures that members of the public have reasonable access to criminal records maintained by county agencies.

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:

• Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.

• Sealed Cases: Records that have been sealed by court order are not available to the public. This includes cases that have been expunged or non-disclosed under Texas Government Code § 411.081.

• Juvenile Records: As previously noted, records involving individuals under 17 years of age are generally confidential under Texas Family Code.

• Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information is typically redacted from public records.

Adult conviction records and court proceedings are generally public and accessible through the Collin County District Clerk's office for felony cases and the County Court at Law Clerk's office for misdemeanor cases.

The Texas Public Information Act also provides mechanisms for requesting records that are not readily available online. Government bodies must respond to requests promptly, typically within 10 business days, though they may seek an extension in certain circumstances.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Collin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Collin County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for record retrieval, both online and in person.

To conduct a criminal records search in Collin County:

1. Online Case Information System: Access the Collin County case information portal, which serves as a comprehensive search engine for court cases. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number to locate records for both active and closed cases.

2. Sheriff's Office Records: Submit an open records request to the Collin County Sheriff's Office for arrest records, incident reports, and jail records. Requests may be submitted:

   • In person at 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, TX 75071
   • By email to sheriff.openrecords@collincountytx.gov
   • By mail to the Sheriff's Office address

3. District Clerk Records: For felony criminal cases, contact the District Clerk's office. Records may be requested:

   • In person at 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132, McKinney, TX 75071
   • Through the online portal
   • By mail with a written request

4. County Clerk Records: For misdemeanor cases, contact the County Clerk's office. Records may be requested:

   • In person at 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2104, McKinney, TX 75071
   • Through the online portal
   • By mail with a written request

5. Police Department Records: For records from specific municipalities within Collin County, contact the appropriate city police department. Each department maintains its own records and has specific procedures for requests.

6. Texas Department of Public Safety: For statewide criminal history information, submit a request through the Texas DPS Criminal History Search. This requires the payment of a fee and provides a more comprehensive background check.

When requesting records in person, requestors should be prepared to present identification and complete any required forms. For mail requests, include a clear description of the records sought, contact information, and any applicable fees.

How To Find Criminal Records in Collin County Online?

Collin County offers several online portals that provide access to criminal records. These digital resources allow members of the public to search for and retrieve information without visiting county offices in person.

The primary online resources include:

1. Collin County Case Information System: The county's centralized case information portal serves as a comprehensive search engine for court cases. This system allows users to:

   • Search by defendant name, case number, or citation number
   • Access both active and archived cases
   • View case status, charges, court dates, and disposition information
   • Search across multiple case types, including felonies and misdemeanors

2. Inmate Information System: The Sheriff's Office inmate information portal provides:

   • Current jail roster of individuals incarcerated in the Collin County Detention Facility
   • Information on inmates released within the past 24 hours
   • Booking information, charges, and bond amounts
   • Visitation eligibility and scheduling information

3. District Clerk Online Records: The District Clerk's criminal records database contains:

   • Felony cases filed from 1988 to the present
   • Case information including charges, court dates, and dispositions
   • Document indexes (note that viewing actual documents may require registration and fees)

4. County Court at Law Records: The County Court at Law criminal records system provides:

   • Class A and B misdemeanor cases
   • Class C appeals
   • Case status, bond information, and document indexes

Some important considerations when using these online systems:

• Registration requirements vary by system. While basic case information searches typically do not require registration, accessing document images often requires creating an account and may involve fees.
• Not all records are available online. Older records, sealed cases, and certain document types may only be available through in-person requests.
• The information provided online is for reference only and is not certified. For official copies, users must contact the appropriate office directly.
• Search functionality may be limited. Users should try different search variations if initial searches do not yield expected results.

For comprehensive criminal history information beyond Collin County, the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History Search provides statewide records for a fee.

Can You Search Collin County Criminal Records for Free?

The Texas Public Information Act establishes the right of public access to government records, including criminal records. Under this law, members of the public may inspect records during normal business hours without charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.

Collin County provides several free options for accessing criminal records:

1. In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may visit the following locations to inspect records at no cost:

   Collin County District Clerk
   2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 12132
   McKinney, TX 75071
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
   972-548-4320

   Collin County Clerk
   2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2104
   McKinney, TX 75071
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
   972-548-4185

   Collin County Sheriff's Office
   4300 Community Avenue
   McKinney, TX 75071
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
   972-547-5100

2. Free Online Resources:

   • The Collin County Case Information System provides free access to basic case information, including defendant name, charges, case status, and court dates.
   • The Sheriff's Office Inmate Information portal offers free access to current jail roster information and recent releases.
   • Basic search functions on the District Clerk's criminal records database and County Court at Law records system are available without charge.

While basic searches are free, fees may apply in the following circumstances:

• Requests for certified copies of documents
• Requests requiring extensive staff time for research or redaction
• Requests for large volumes of records
• Access to document images through certain online portals
• Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety

The fee schedule for copies and other services is established in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act and is available from each respective office. Government agencies are required to provide a written estimate if fees will exceed $40.

What's Included in a Collin County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Collin County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records varies depending on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and any known aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Mugshot or booking photograph
• Last known address
• State Identification Number (SID)
• FBI number (if applicable)

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Booking number
• Initial charges filed
• Bail or bond amount
• Detention facility information

Court Case Information:

• Case number
• Court of jurisdiction (District Court for felonies, County Court at Law for misdemeanors)
• Filing date
• Formal charges and applicable statutes
• Classification of offense (felony or misdemeanor class)
• Plea information
• Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
• Court dates and appearances

Disposition Information:

• Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Sentencing details:
  • Type of sentence (incarceration, probation, deferred adjudication)
  • Length of sentence
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution requirements
  • Special conditions (community service, treatment programs)
• Appeal information (if applicable)
• Probation or parole status

Additional Information:

• Active warrants
• Protective orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/DWI offenses
• Traffic violations (if connected to criminal charges)
• Pending charges

The Collin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and jail information, while court records are maintained by the District Clerk for felony cases and the County Clerk for misdemeanor cases. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains records related to state prison sentences and parole.

It is important to note that certain information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, medical information, and information related to victims of certain crimes.

How Long Does Collin County Keep Criminal Records?

Collin County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's Local Government Retention Schedules. These schedules specify minimum retention periods for various types of records, though many records are kept permanently, particularly those related to felony cases.

The retention periods for common criminal record documents include:

• Felony Case Records: Permanently maintained by the District Clerk's office. This includes indictments, judgments, sentencing information, and court proceedings for all felony cases.

• Misdemeanor Case Records: Maintained by the County Clerk for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition. Cases of historical significance may be retained permanently.

• Arrest Records: The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for a minimum of 5 years after the arrest date. Records related to cases that result in convictions are typically kept longer, in accordance with the retention period for the corresponding case records.

• Jail Records: Booking and incarceration records are maintained for a minimum of 5 years after release from custody.

• Dismissed Cases: Records for cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal are typically kept for 5 years, though they may be eligible for expungement under certain circumstances as provided in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 55.01.

• Expunged Records: Once a court orders expungement, all agencies must destroy the records within the timeframe specified in the expungement order, typically within 60-90 days.

• Juvenile Records: These are subject to different retention requirements under the Texas Family Code and may be sealed or destroyed under specific circumstances.

The Collin County District Clerk's online system currently contains criminal cases dating back to 1988, demonstrating the long-term retention of these records in digital format.

It is important to note that even after the mandatory retention period has expired, many records continue to be maintained, particularly if they have been digitized. Additionally, information about criminal convictions may be reported by private background check companies indefinitely, even if the official government records are no longer available.

Lookup Criminal Records in Collin County

Sheriff's Office Open Records Requests

Collin County Case Information Search

Collin County Sheriff's Office

Police Records from Collin County Cities

Collin County Jail Inmate Information

County Court at Law Criminal Records

District Court Criminal Records

Texas DPS Criminal History Search

Texas Crime Records Services