Collin County DWI and DUI Records

Collin County DUI and DWI records are on file with the District Clerk and County Clerk offices in McKinney, Texas. As one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, Collin County processes a large volume of DWI cases each year through its multiple district and county courts. This page covers where those records are kept, how to search them, and what Texas law says about DWI charges, penalties, and license consequences in Collin County.

Collin County Clerk Offices

The Collin County District Clerk at 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney handles all felony criminal records including felony DWI cases. Twelve district courts serve Collin County, each handling a portion of the felony caseload. DWI third offense, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter all go through the District Clerk. Reach the District Clerk at (972) 548-4320. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys through eFileTexas.gov.

The County Clerk at 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 2106, McKinney at (972) 548-4185 keeps all misdemeanor DWI records. Five County Courts at Law handle Class A and B misdemeanor DWI cases in Collin County. First and second offense DWI, as well as DWI with BAC of 0.15 or more, go through county court. The online case search at collincountytx.gov allows public access to case information.

How to Search Collin County DWI Records

Collin County offers online case search at cijis.collincountytx.gov/CriminalCaseSearch for criminal case lookups. You can search by defendant name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows case summaries, docket entries, and document information. This tool covers both felony and misdemeanor cases filed in Collin County courts.

For in-person visits, both clerk offices are at the Collin County Courthouse Complex in McKinney. Bring a government-issued ID. Staff can pull case files and assist with searches for older cases not in the online system. Documents are available for purchase at $1.00 per page. Certified copies require an additional $5.00 per document.

The Collin County Sheriff at 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney, (972) 547-5100, handles arrest records and jail records. Their website at collincountytx.gov/sheriff includes an online inmate search tool. McKinney Police at (972) 547-2760 and Plano Police at (972) 941-2278 also handle records requests for their respective jurisdictions.

For driving records related to DWI suspensions, order through Texas DPS driver records. Online records cost $4 to $22 depending on the record type needed.

DWI Laws in Collin County

Texas DWI law under Penal Code Chapter 49 applies uniformly in Collin County. A first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a mandatory 3-day minimum jail stay, up to 180 days maximum, and fines up to $2,000. If the driver had an open container within reach, the minimum jail time jumps to 6 days. A BAC of 0.15 or higher makes the charge a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000.

Second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor. The minimum jail stay is 30 days and the maximum is one year. Fines reach up to $4,000. A third DWI is a third-degree felony under Section 49.09. That means 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Prior convictions from any state count toward the enhancement.

Driving with a child under 15 while intoxicated is a state jail felony regardless of prior DWI history. Intoxication assault that causes serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony with 2-20 years in prison. Annual state surcharges of $3,000 to $6,000 apply after any DWI conviction, per TxDOT.

Officers in Collin County are trained to administer standardized field sobriety tests including the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk-and-Turn, and One-Leg-Stand tests. TCOLE certifications for officers are governed by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701.

Texas DPS and Collin County DWI Records

The Texas DPS Crime Records Division maintains statewide criminal history data including DWI arrests and convictions from Collin County's multiple law enforcement agencies.

Collin County agencies including the Sheriff, McKinney Police, Plano Police, Frisco Police, and other city departments submit arrest data to DPS for inclusion in the statewide criminal history files.

Administrative License Revocation in Collin County

After a DWI arrest in Collin County, the ALR process begins. The officer takes the driver's license and issues a 40-day temporary permit. The driver must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40. The ALR process is governed by Transportation Code Chapter 524 and is completely separate from the criminal DWI case.

Refusing to submit to chemical testing brings a 180-day license suspension for a first refusal and 2 years for a second refusal within 10 years. Failing the test at 0.08 or higher results in a 90-day suspension for a first offense and one year for a subsequent offense. After the suspension ends, a $125 reinstatement fee must be paid to Texas DPS before driving privileges are restored.

Minors under 21 face a zero tolerance rule under Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.041. Any detectable amount of alcohol can result in a DUI citation, license suspension, community service, and mandatory alcohol education.

Resources for Collin County DWI Cases

Collin County has a large network of DWI defense attorneys given its size. The State Bar of Texas at (800) 252-9690 or texasbar.com can help you find one. Collin County also offers pre-trial diversion programs and a specialized DWI Court for treatment-oriented sentencing in appropriate cases.

Crash reports from DWI accidents in Collin County can be ordered through TxDOT's crash report system for $6-$8. The Texas DPS Public Information Center handles state-level records requests. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission regulates alcohol sales and handles licensing enforcement in Collin County.

Cities in Collin County

Collin County includes several major cities in the DFW Metroplex. All DWI cases go through Collin County's district and county courts in McKinney.

Nearby Counties

Collin County is in North Texas in the DFW Metroplex. These adjacent counties all have active court systems for DWI cases.