Collin County DWI Lawyer (McKinney)

Our office is in downtown Dallas at 325 N St. Paul Street. We handle cases in the Collin County courts in McKinney.

Where will my Collin County DWI case be heard?

Class A and B misdemeanors, including most DWIs, are heard in the Collin County Courts at Law. Felonies are heard in the district courts, including the 199th, 219th, 296th, 366th, 380th, 401st and 416th District Courts. Address: Russell A. Steindam Courts Building, 2100 Bloomdale Rd., McKinney 75071.

Who prosecutes DWI cases in Collin County?

The Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office, at 2100 Bloomdale Rd., prosecutes both misdemeanors and felonies.

Because the courts and the DA's office share the Bloomdale Road complex, most hearings for a Collin County case happen at the same address.

Can a first DWI be a felony?

Yes. A standard DWI under Penal Code 49.04 is generally a Class B misdemeanor; a qualifying alcohol test result of 0.15 or more makes it Class A. But DWI with a passenger younger than 15 is a state jail felony under 49.045. Section 49.04(e) also makes DWI in a school crossing zone a state jail felony when the reduced speed limit applies. Qualifying prior convictions can increase the offense level under 49.09. Check the actual charging document before assuming a first or second arrest is a misdemeanor.

When must I request an ALR hearing?

The criminal case and driver-license case are separate. Texas DPS explains the notice deadlines: 15 days after a notice is served, or 20 days after DPS mails a suspension notice following blood-test results. Keep the notice and envelope and act promptly; do not calculate the deadline from the court date.

Are DWI penalties different in Collin County?

State law sets the penalties, so they do not change by county. Our Texas DWI defense page has the penalty table, license rules and defenses; see also first DWI and ALR hearings.

Which parts of Collin County do you cover?

We handle DWI cases from McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Celina, Murphy, and the rest of the county, including stops on US-75, SH-121, the Dallas North Tollway, US-380 and the President George Bush Turnpike. Use the county and court listed on your charging and bond papers to confirm where the case is filed; city names and roads may cross county lines.

Where are people booked after a Collin County DWI arrest?

Most DWI arrests in Collin County are booked at the Collin County Detention Facility, 4300 Community Ave., McKinney. The arrested person must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay and no later than 48 hours after arrest (Code of Criminal Procedure 15.17). The magistrate explains the rights and addresses bail if allowed by law. This appearance deadline does not guarantee release within 48 hours.

Where is the ALR license hearing for a Collin County arrest?

The State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) hears it, not the county court. For Collin County, SOAH's primary contact for driver's license hearings is the SOAH Dallas office, 8700 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 126, Dallas 75247. SOAH also lists a remote hearing location in Plano, in the Velda Williams Conference Room on the second floor of the Collin County Sub-Courthouse, 920 E. Park Blvd., with the Dallas office as its contact. Use the deadline on your notice: generally 15 days after service, or 20 days after DPS mails a suspension notice following blood-test results.

Is there a DWI court or program in Collin County?

The Office of Court Administration's specialty court registry (October 1, 2026) lists no DWI-specific court for Collin County; its listed adult programs are drug, mental health and veterans courts. The Collin County District Attorney's Burden to Blessing pretrial diversion program excludes DWI-related offenses, with exceptions possible at the diversion prosecutor's discretion.

How do I get started?

Criminal defense consultations are free. Call (214) 239-2013 or start a chat.

Last updated October 2026