Felony Defense in Collin County
Local court, prosecutor and program details for Collin County, from our office in downtown Dallas.
In short: Collin County felonies are heard in the district courts at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney, and prosecuted by the Criminal District Attorney. Its Burden to Blessing diversion requires an admission of guilt and an application within 30 days, and excludes violent, weapons, DWI-related and some other offenses.
This page covers felony cases in Collin County: where they are heard, who prosecutes them and the local programs the county and its prosecutors run. Our office is in downtown Dallas at 325 N St. Paul Street; we handle cases in the Collin County courts. For Texas-wide law, see our felony charges guide, and for other charges see the Collin County criminal defense page.
Which courts hear felony cases in Collin County?
Collin County felonies are heard in the district courts, including the 199th, 219th, 296th, 366th, 380th, 401st and 416th District Courts, at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney. Your court is assigned at filing and is listed in your bond paperwork and the county's case records.
Who prosecutes felonies in Collin County?
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, also at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., prosecutes felonies. Most felony cases need a grand jury indictment. The time before indictment is when information about the person and the facts can make the most difference to how the case is charged.
What happens after a felony arrest in Collin County?
After a felony arrest, booking is at the Collin County Detention Facility, 4300 Community Ave., McKinney. A magistrate gives the warnings and sets bond. Felony bonds can include reporting, testing and travel limits, and a bond reduction can be requested from the court that has the case.
What diversion and specialty programs does Collin County have?
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney's pretrial diversion program, called Burden to Blessing, is voluntary and requires an admission of guilt and a defense attorney. Under the office's published guidelines, applicants generally should have no prior adult felony conviction or violent misdemeanor conviction, and the application is due within 30 days of retaining or being appointed an attorney or the first court appearance. Excluded categories include violent, domestic violence, sex offender related, child abuse or neglect, weapons and DWI-related offenses, with exceptions possible at the diversion prosecutor's discretion. The 30-day deadline is short, so it is a reason not to wait. The Office of Court Administration's registry also lists Collin County specialty courts, including a felony drug court in the 401st District Court, an adult mental health court and a veterans court.
How does a felony move through a Texas court?
After arrest, a person must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17). The magistrate gives the legal warnings and sets bond using the factors in article 17.15. A felony case then generally needs a grand jury indictment before it goes forward in a district court. Texas felonies run from state jail felonies to first-degree and capital felonies, and the punishment range depends on the level and any prior convictions.
Many felony cases end with community supervision (probation) under Code of Criminal Procedure chapter 42A, either as regular probation after a conviction or as deferred adjudication, which can avoid a conviction if completed. Whether a program, a reduction or a trial is the better path depends on the evidence, which is why early review of the police reports, video and lab results matters.
What are the Texas felony punishment ranges?
| Level | Prison range | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| First degree | 5 to 99 years or life | $10,000 |
| Second degree | 2 to 20 years | $10,000 |
| Third degree | 2 to 10 years | $10,000 |
| State jail felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail | $10,000 |
What should I do now?
- Note your court number and every setting, and keep your bond paperwork.
- Do not discuss the facts with anyone except your lawyer, including on jail phones, which are recorded.
- Collect records that show who you are: work, school, treatment and family responsibilities.
- Ask early about diversion deadlines, since some run from the first appearance or indictment.
How do I get started?
The first consultation is free. It is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney. Call (214) 239-2013 or start a chat. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Last updated October 2026
Common questions
Where are Collin County felony cases heard?
In the district courts at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney.
What is Burden to Blessing?
The Collin County DA's pretrial diversion program. It requires an admission of guilt and a defense attorney, and the application is due within 30 days of hiring or appointment of counsel or the first appearance.
Which felonies are excluded from Collin diversion?
The guidelines exclude violent, domestic violence, sex offender related, child abuse or neglect, weapons and DWI-related offenses, with possible exceptions.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. The first consultation is free and is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney.
Do not wait for your court date to get help. Call (214) 239-2013.
Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.