If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in Collin County, understanding how the court system works is one of the first steps toward protecting your rights. This guide provides a complete overview of every criminal court in Collin County, the judges who preside over them, where they are located, and how the criminal process moves through the system.
At Deandra Grant Law, our attorneys appear in the Collin County courts regularly. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedures in every courtroom. This guide reflects the knowledge we bring to every case we handle in Collin County.
Russell A. Steindam Courts Building
Address: 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071
Main Phone: (972) 548-4100
All criminal cases in Collin County, from Class B misdemeanors to capital murder, are heard at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney. This facility houses all 7 County Courts at Law (misdemeanor courts) and all 15 District Courts (felony courts), along with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, the District Clerk’s Office, and the County Clerk’s Office.
The building is organized across three floors. Courtroom suite numbers indicate the floor: suites beginning with “1” are on the first floor, “2” on the second floor, and “3” on the third floor.
Security:
The following Items are NOT permitted in the Courthouse:
- Weapons and ammunition (firearms, knives, brass knuckles, stun guns, etc.)
- Sharp objects and tools (scissors, screwdrivers, multi-tools, hammers, etc.)
- Flammables or chemical irritants (lighters, pepper spray, aerosols, vapes, etc.)
- Personal and household items (needles, utensils, glass or metal containers, water bottles)
- Surveillance devices (cameras, smart glasses, recording devices, laser pointers)
- Any other item that could compromise courthouse security or proceedings
- Liquids (water, coffee, etc)
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County Courts at Law (Misdemeanor Criminal Courts)
Collin County’s 7 County Courts at Law handle all Class A and Class B misdemeanor criminal cases. These include first-offense DWI, DWI with BAC 0.15+, marijuana possession under 2 ounces, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass, and other misdemeanor offenses. The County Courts at Law also hear appeals from the Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts.
When you are arrested for a misdemeanor in Collin County, your case is assigned to one of these seven courts. The assignment is typically random, though some courts may have specialized dockets.
| Court | Judge | Location | Phone |
| County Court at Law 1 | Judge Corinne A. Mason | Second Floor | 972-548-3860 |
| County Court at Law 2 | Judge Barnett Walker | First Floor | 972-548-3820 |
| County Court at Law 3 | Judge Lance S. Baxter | First Floor | 972-548-3695 |
| County Court at Law 4 | Judge David Rippel | First Floor | 972-548-3840 |
| County Court at Law 5 | Judge Randy Johnson | Second Floor | 972-548-3850 |
| County Court at Law 6 | Judge Jay A. Bender | Third Floor | 972-547-1850 |
| County Court at Law 7 | Judge David Waddill | Third Floor | 972-548-5680 |
What to Expect in Misdemeanor Court
Misdemeanor cases in Collin County generally move faster than in other North Texas counties. After your first court appearance (where bond conditions are set and you enter a plea), your attorney will receive the State’s evidence and begin negotiating with the assigned prosecutor. Depending on the complexity of the case, resolution may come through negotiation, pretrial diversion, or trial.
For DWI cases specifically, the Collin County courts generally require ignition interlock devices for BAC results of 0.15 or higher, and for any DWI where the defendant has a prior alcohol-related contact. Your attorney should be prepared to address these conditions at the first appearance.
District Courts (Felony Criminal Courts)
Collin County’s 15 District Courts handle all felony criminal cases, including state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. These courts hear cases ranging from felony drug possession and felony DWI to aggravated assault, sexual assault, murder, and capital murder.
Felony cases in Collin County are presented to a grand jury before proceeding to trial. If the grand jury issues a True Bill of Indictment, the case is assigned to a District Court. If the grand jury issues a No-Bill, the case is dismissed at that stage. Not all District Courts handle criminal matters — some are primarily assigned to civil or family law dockets.
| Court | Judge | Location | Phone |
| 199th District Court | Judge Angela Tucker | First Floor | 972-548-4415 |
| 219th District Court | Judge Jennifer Edgeworth | Second Floor | 972-548-4100 |
| 296th District Court | Judge John Roach, Jr. | Second Floor | 972-548-4409 |
| 366th District Court | Judge Tom Nowak | Third Floor | 972-548-4570 |
| 380th District Court | Judge Benjamin N. Smith | Third Floor | 972-548-4762 |
| 401st District Court | Judge Kim Laseter | Third Floor | 972-548-4241 |
| 416th District Court | Judge Andrea Thompson | Second Floor | 972-548-4520 |
| 417th District Court | Judge Cynthia Wheless | Third Floor | 972-548-4658 |
| 429th District Court | Judge Jill Willis | First Floor | 972-547-5720 |
| 468th District Court | Judge Lindsey Wynne | Second Floor | 972-547-7260 |
| 469th District Court | Judge Piper McCraw | Third Floor | 972-548-5660 |
| 470th District Court | Judge Brook Fulks | Second Floor | 972-548-5670 |
| 471st District Court | Judge Bryan Gantt | Third Floor | 972-548-5680 |
| 493rd District Court | Judge Christine Nowak | First Floor | 972-548-4100 |
| 507th District Court | Judge Katheryn Pruitt | Second Floor | 972-548-4100 |
What to Expect in Felony Court
Felony cases in Collin County follow a structured process: arrest and bond, grand jury presentation, indictment, arraignment, pretrial hearings, plea negotiation or trial, and (if convicted) sentencing. The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case. A straightforward state jail felony may resolve in a few months. A capital murder case may take a year or more to reach trial.
Collin County prosecutors are generally well-prepared and aggressive. The District Attorney’s Office has dedicated divisions for specific case types, including a crimes against children unit, a DWI prosecution team, and investigators assigned to complex cases. Having a defense attorney who understands how the Collin County DA’s Office operates is a significant advantage.
Collin County Jail
Address: 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 547-5200
Inmate Search: Available online at the Collin County Sheriff’s website (apps.collincountytx.gov)
The Collin County Jail is operated by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. After arrest, individuals are booked and held at this facility until bond is posted or an attorney obtains release through an attorney writ bond. Some cities in Collin County (including Plano and Frisco) have their own holding facilities where arrestees may be held overnight before transfer to the county jail.
Getting Out of Jail: Posting a Bond
After arrest, a magistrate judge will set bond and bond conditions. You can post bond through a cash bond (paying the full amount) or a surety bond (through a bondsman, typically 10% of the bond amount).
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Collin County District Attorney’s Office
Address: 2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 20100, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 548-4323
The Collin County District Attorney prosecutes all felony cases and assists in the prosecution of misdemeanor cases in Collin County. The office is led by the elected District Attorney Greg Willis and staffed by assistant district attorneys organized into divisions.
Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, TX 75071
Phone: (972) 547-5100
The Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services throughout unincorporated Collin County and operates the county jail. Deputies also serve warrants, provide courthouse security, and conduct criminal investigations.
Key Law Enforcement Agencies in Collin County
Criminal cases in Collin County may be investigated by any of the following agencies, depending on where the offense occurred:
- McKinney Police Department — (972) 547-2700
- Plano Police Department — (972) 941-2211
- Frisco Police Department — (972) 292-6010
- Allen Police Department — (214) 509-4200
- Prosper Police Department — (972) 347-2226
- Celina Police Department — (972) 382-2726
- Melissa Police Department — (972) 838-1810
- Collin County Sheriff’s Office — (972) 547-5100
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) — conducts traffic enforcement on state highways, including DWI enforcement
The ALR Process: Protecting Your Driver’s License
If you are arrested for DWI in Collin County and either fail or refuse a breath or blood test, you have only 15 days from the date of notice of suspension to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety. If you do not request this hearing within 15 days, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended:
- 90-day suspension if you provided a specimen with a BAC of 0.08 or higher (first offense)
- 180-day suspension if you refused to provide a specimen (first offense)
- 1-year suspension for refusal with a prior alcohol-related contact
- 2-year suspension for providing a specimen of 0.08+ with a prior contact
The ALR hearing is a civil proceeding, separate from the criminal DWI case. It takes place before an administrative law judge, typically at a DPS office. This hearing is an important opportunity: it allows your attorney to cross-examine the arresting officer under oath, obtain testimony and evidence that may be useful in the criminal case, and fight to keep your license from being suspended. Do not miss the 15-day deadline.
Case Results
Online Court Resources
- Collin County Case Search: collincountytx.gov — search active and historical cases by name, case number, or citation
- Collin County Online Judicial Search: co.collin.tx.us — look up inmates, view mugshots, check bond amounts, view court records
- Court Calendars: Available through the Case Record Inquiry system — search by judicial officer to find hearing dates
- Collin County District Clerk: gov/Courts/District-Courts — felony case records and filings
- Collin County Clerk: gov/Courts/County-Courts-at-Law — misdemeanor case records and filings
Cities Served by the Collin County Criminal Courts
The following cities and communities fall within Collin County’s criminal jurisdiction. Cases arising from arrests in any of these locations are heard at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney:
Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, Celina (Collin County portion), Copeville, Fairview, Farmersville, Frisco (Collin County portion), Josephine, Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, McKinney, Melissa, Murphy, Nevada, New Hope, Parker, Plano (Collin County portion), Princeton, Prosper (Collin County portion), Royse City (Collin County portion), Sachse (Collin County portion), St. Paul, Weston, and Wylie (Collin County portion).
Note: Several cities straddle county lines. The portion of the city where the arrest occurred determines which county’s courts have jurisdiction. Frisco, Plano, Prosper, and Wylie each have portions in both Collin County and Denton County or Dallas County.
How Deandra Grant Law Defends Clients in Collin County
Our Allen office serves clients throughout Collin County and is conveniently located for access to the McKinney courthouse. Our criminal defense team includes:
- Douglas Huff, Partner and Criminal Division Chief — ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, senior trial attorney, advanced digital forensics training with Garrett Discovery
- James Lee Bright, Senior Federal Defense Attorney — handles federal cases in the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) and Northern District of Texas (Dallas Division)
- Deandra Grant, JD, MS, GC, Managing Partner — nationally recognized DWI trial attorney with 30+ years of experience, ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist
- Kevin Sheneberger, Criminal Trial Division
- Omar Sherif, Criminal Trial Division
- Jada Fairley, Criminal Trial Division
We handle cases in every criminal court in Collin County from Class B misdemeanor DWI in the County Courts at Law to capital murder in the District Courts.
Call (214) 225-7117 or schedule an appointment online at texasdwisite.com.
Note: Court assignments, judge names, and contact information are subject to change. This guide reflects information verified as of early 2026. Deandra Grant Law updates this resource periodically. For the most current information, contact the Collin County District Clerk at (972) 548-4100.
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