Collin County Courts

Collin County is home to approximately 1.2 million residents, making up approximately 3.8% of Texas's total population of 31.3 million. The county's trial court system encompasses various types of courts that handle a wide spectrum of legal matters from minor civil disputes and traffic offenses to serious felony crimes, family law matters, and complex civil litigation. The main types of courts operating within Collin County include:

• District Courts: Exercise jurisdiction over cases involving title to land, felonies, and divorce matters.
• County Courts at Law: Handle both class A and B misdemeanor cases as well as civil matters in which the amount in controversy is between $500 and $200,000.
• Probate Court: Processes guardianship proceedings, mental health commitment cases, and probate of wills.
• Magistrate Court: Handles initial appearances and arraignments, determines probable cause, and sets bail.
• Municipal Courts: Operate within city limits and typically adjudicate city ordinance violations, class C misdemeanors, and may also conduct arraignment for persons arrested in city jails.
• Justice of the Peace Courts: They handle class C misdemeanors, landlord-tenant disputes, debt claims, and small claims.

Approximately half of the county's trial courts are located in McKinney, while the remaining courts are distributed across other municipalities such as Plano, Frisco, Blue Ridge, and Farmersville. Collectively, these courts handle around 202,000 case dispositions annually, including at least 143,000 criminal, 10,000 family, and 38,000 civil dispositions.

How To Access Collin County Court Records

Unlike most types of government records, access to Collin County court records is not governed by a single law. Instead, the public's right to view and obtain copies of court records is determined by a combination of common law, statutory provisions, and court rules. Despite this layered framework, most court records are generally presumed to be open to the public.

Some records, however, are deemed confidential to protect the privacy of persons involved. For instance, access to records related to family law proceedings is typically restricted to the parties in the case. Additionally, certain criminal records may be sealed through a court-issued order of nondisclosure.

To find court records in Collin County, interested parties may need to provide a valid ID and other details like the case number, case type, party names, or filing date. These records may be accessed using the following methods:

Online

Anyone may search and view case information from the Collin County Magistrate, District, County, Probate, and Justice Courts using the Case Record Inquiry system. This tool generally provides access to records for civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic cases. To use it, users must first select the appropriate court and then search by entering a case number, date filed, attorney name, party name, or citation number.

For federal cases pertaining to Collin County, records are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Users must first create an account and may view documents at $0.10 per page. However, if the total charges for a quarter are $30 or less, the fees are usually waived.

Additionally, individuals may search for recent case records for Collin County through CourtCaseFinder. This website offers access to publicly available records compiled from various types of courts across the United States.

In-Person

Prior to finding court records in person, interested parties must identify the court where the case was processed. In Collin County, multiple courts may oversee similar case types; however, the court of jurisdiction is generally determined by case severity. Once the relevant court is identified, interested parties may visit the courthouse to conduct a record search. This search may be done either at the Court Clerk's Office or through public access terminals located within the courthouse. For cases heard in the District Courts, the District Clerk charges a $5 search fee if the case number is unknown.

The fees for acquiring copies of court records in person may vary slightly across different trial courts. However, for cases filed in the District Courts or County Courts at Law, the following fees generally apply:

• Non-certified paper copy - $1 per page
• Certified paper copy - $1 per page, plus an additional $5 per document for certificate and seal
• Non-certified Electronic copy - $1 for the first 10 pages and $0.10 for each additional page

Old and Archived Court Records

The Collin County Case Record Inquiry system provides public access to case records dating back to 1984. For records created prior to 1984, individuals must request a manual case record search either in person or in writing in the office of the relevant court clerk. A manual search may be requested for these case types:

• Criminal cases heard in the County Courts at Law dating from the 1800s
• Criminal cases heard in the District Courts dating from the 1800s
• Justice Court cases filed before 1984
• Probate Court cases filed before 1984
• Civil cases filed in the County Courts at Law or District Courts prior to 1984

How To File a Case in Collin County

One important step before filing a case in Collin County is to identify the court with the proper jurisdiction on such a matter. Subsequently, the interested party may contact the court clerk to verify that the case falls within the court's purview. Typically, cases are filed in person, electronically, or by mail; however, the acceptable filing method may vary by court and case type. Therefore, filers need to verify the correct filing procedure before initiating the process. Filing procedures may be obtained from the clerk of the court or the court's website.

Following the Texas Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 12-9206 and the Collin County Local Rules, attorneys are mandated to file all civil, probate, and family cases electronically through the eFile Texas system. However, self-represented litigants may choose to e-file voluntarily. To support individuals filing without legal representation, the Texas Guide and File tool serves as a valuable resource for document preparation and organization before filing.

The cost of filing a case may depend on factors such as the type of case and the court in which it is filed. In general, the District Courts and County Courts at Law charge approximately $350 to initiate a new civil case. This fee represents the base filing cost, but the total amount may increase depending on additional services or motions requested during the case.

Individuals who cannot afford to pay court costs may request a fee waiver by completing the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond. The applicant must disclose their personal information, number of dependents, monthly income and expenses, assets, and public benefits received before submitting the form to the relevant court clerk.

To conclude, individuals or organizations seeking to file a case in Collin County must determine the appropriate court based on the nature and value of the claim, draft a petition or complaint, file the case using the preferred case filing method, pay the filing fees or submit a fee waiver request, and ensure the defendant is formally notified by an authorized and neutral third party.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resource

Legal help and self-help resources may assist marginalized groups and low-income earners in accessing justice by equipping them with essential tools to navigate the legal system. These resources may include court-based self-help centers, pro bono legal services, and nonprofit legal aid organizations. A primary point of access for self-help materials in Collin County is the Collin County Law Library. While the library and its staff are prohibited from providing legal advice, self-represented litigants may use the facility to locate procedural guides, court-approved forms, and legal reference materials relevant to their case. In addition to the law library, Collin County residents may also access other self-help resources, such as:

• TexasCourtHelp.org
• TexasLawHelp.org
• Texas State Law Library
• SMU Underwood Law Library

Furthermore, several organizations provide free or low-cost legal services to veterans, seniors, and, in particular, income-eligible individuals residing in Collin County. Below is a list of key organizations within and outside the county and the types of services they offer:

• Plano Legal Clinic - Offers free legal assistance to qualified individuals in civil matters, including family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and real property issues.
• Collin County Legal Aid Clinic - Assists with a range of general civil legal issues such as bankruptcy, expunctions, access to public benefits, and federal tax concerns.
• Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) - Provides legal services in areas including housing, consumer law, family matters, employment disputes, immigration, and debt collection. A local office in McKinney serves Collin County residents.
• Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) - Advocates for individuals with disabilities, helping them understand and assert their legal rights in matters related to education, housing, healthcare, and employment.

Lastly, self-represented litigants should be aware that navigating the legal system may be complex, and failure to comply with court rules may result in the loss of rights or dismissal of the case. Therefore, it is essential to read, understand, and follow the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which outline mandatory disclosure requirements and other critical procedures.

Types of Courts in Cobb County, Texas

Legal matters arising within Collin County are processed by various courts, including Municipal Courts, County Courts, District Courts, and federal courts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The contact information and jurisdiction of each court is listed below:

Collin County District Courts

Jurisdiction - Exclusive original jurisdiction in all felony cases, divorce cases, contested elections, and title to land disputes. They handle other cases like civil lawsuits in which the amount in controversy is $200 or more, personal injury claims, uncontested probate matters, and juvenile delinquency cases.

The 15 District Courts located within Collin County include:

199th District Court

219th District Court

296th District Court

366th District Court

380th District Court

401st District Court

416th District Court

417th District Court

429th District Court

468th District Court

469th District Court

470th District Court

471st District Court

493rd District Court

494th District Court

County Courts at Law in Collin County

Jurisdiction- Original jurisdiction over class A and B misdemeanors, certain estate matters, contract disputes, and civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy is up to $250,000. They handle appeals from the Justice and Municipal Courts.

County Court at Law 1

County Court at Law 2

County Court at Law 3

County Court at Law 4

County Court at Law 5

County Court at Law 6

County Court at Law 7

Justices of the Peace Courts in Collin County

Jurisdiction - These courts adjudicate class C misdemeanor cases, such as shoplifting, minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage, public intoxication, and simple assault, which typically fall under their jurisdiction. In addition, they handle civil matters involving debt claims, evictions, repair and remedy disputes, and small claims where the amount in controversy does not exceed $20,000.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4

Municipal Courts in Collin County

Jurisdiction - These courts share concurrent jurisdiction with Justice Courts over class C misdemeanor cases within city limits. Moreover, they have exclusive original jurisdiction over city ordinance violations.

The 19 Municipal Courts operating in municipalities within Collin County include:

Allen Municipal Court

Blue Ridge Municipal Court

Frisco Municipal Court

Anna Municipal Court

Celina Municipal Court

Fairview Municipal Court

Josephine Municipal Court

Farmersville Municipal Court

Lucas Municipal Court

Lavon Municipal Court

Murphy Municipal Court

Melissa Municipal Court

McKinney Municipal Court

Parker Municipal Court

New Hope Municipal Court

Plano Municipal Court

Princeton Municipal Court

Prosper Municipal Court

Wylie Municipal Court

Collin County Probate Court

• Jurisdiction - inheritance matters, probate cases, involuntary mental health commitment actions, and guardianship proceedings.
• Contact Information -

Collin County Magistrate Court

• Jurisdiction - setting bonds, determining probable cause, and issuing warrants in criminal matters
• Contact Information

All civil and criminal matters under federal jurisdiction arising in Collin County are heard in the Plano Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, which is located at:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Collin County Courts