Day 1: arrest and book-in
Arrest happens via city police, Collin County Sheriff, or DPS. Book-in occurs at the Collin County Detention Facility at 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney. Your property is logged, fingerprints and photographs taken, and you're placed in a holding cell pending magistration.
Day 1-2: magistration
Within 24-48 hours, a Collin County magistrate sets bond, provides Article 15.17 warnings, and reads the charges. You can hire counsel or request appointed counsel if indigent. Magistrate appearances happen at the jail by video.
Days 1-30: discovery and DA review
The Collin County Criminal District Attorney's office reviews the police report, evaluates evidence sufficiency, and either accepts, declines, or reduces the charge. We submit pre-indictment letters and evidence packages during this window for higher-leverage cases.
Day 30-60: arraignment
You appear in the assigned court for arraignment. The indictment or information is read, and you enter a plea. Counsel can typically waive your physical presence. Bond conditions may be modified.
Day 60-120: pretrial motions and discovery
We file motions to suppress, motions in limine, and motions to quash. We obtain discovery under CCP Article 39.14 — police reports, video, lab reports, witness statements. Settings happen every 30-60 days.
Day 90-180: plea or trial setting
Most cases resolve via plea negotiation in this window. If we can't reach an acceptable resolution, the case sets for trial. Trial dates typically come 4-9 months after arrest. Trials are heard by a 6-person jury for misdemeanors, 12-person jury for felonies (CCP Articles 33.01-33.02).
Sentencing
If you plead or are found guilty, sentencing follows immediately for most misdemeanors or 30-60 days later for felonies (presentence investigation report). The Collin County district court judges set sentence within the statutory range.
Free consultation
L and L Law Group handles cases in Collin County daily. Free consultation.
Call (972) 370-5060References
In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
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