Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you face criminal charges in Collin County, the decisions you make in the first hours and days matter, and so does who is standing next to you. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer is led by Justin Barrett Wilson, a former Collin County prosecutor who now defends the same kinds of cases he once prosecuted, in the same courts. From our office in Frisco, we represent people across Collin County facing everything from DWI and drug charges to assault family violence and serious felonies. We know how these cases are filed, how each court runs its docket, and where the State’s cases break down. Between Justin Wilson, Kristi Tyler, Kimberly Barclay Palmer, and Justin Harris, our team brings 21 combined years as prosecutors and more than 300 trials in the kinds of courtrooms where your case will be decided. Our team now includes Kristi Tyler, former Chief of the Collin County District Attorney’s Felony Crimes Against Children Division. Call 214-764-5535 for a free consultation.

Why Choose My Dallas Criminal Lawyer for Your Criminal Defense

When your freedom is on the line, you want a defense team that has seen Collin County’s system from both sides. Justin Wilson prosecuted cases for the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as the prosecutor assigned to a misdemeanor DWI/Drug Court and rose to misdemeanor court chief. In that role he received special recognition for his work training new prosecutors to take cases to trial. When a prosecutor was new, or struggling with trial practice, he was the one the head of the misdemeanor division leaned on to get them courtroom-ready. He also taught a section of the police academy training program on DWI investigations from a lawyer’s perspective, teaching the officers who build these cases what the law requires of them. He rose to the felony division, where he was prosecuting serious felony cases before leaving to defend the accused, and he has since spent more than a decade representing clients in every criminal court in this county.

That experience means we do not have to guess how local prosecutors build their cases. Justin trained prosecutors to build them, and he taught police officers the law behind the DWI investigations they conduct. We know what these courts expect, and we know which pressure points actually move a case toward a dismissal, a reduction, or a winnable trial.

We provide personalized attention to every client, not just a case number, and we are available around the clock. Every case starts with a free consultation where we evaluate the evidence and build a strategy for your specific situation.

Understanding Criminal Charges in Collin County

Criminal charges in Texas fall into two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor charges carry penalties up to one year in jail and fines up to $4,000. Felony charges are more serious and can result in years of prison time and substantial fines. The specific charge you face depends on the alleged conduct and your criminal history. Under Texas Penal Code §12.04, felonies carry penalties of more than one year in prison. The criminal justice process in Texas involves several stages: arrest, booking, arraignment, preliminary hearing, grand jury review (for felonies), and trial. Early legal representation is critical. The decisions you make at each stage can significantly impact your case outcome. We guide you through every step and protect your rights from the moment you contact us. For a detailed overview of how the process works, see our criminal defense timeline and process guide.

Our Approach to Criminal Defense

Our firm begins every case with a thorough evaluation. We review police reports, witness statements, and evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Then, we meet with you to understand your version of events and discuss realistic outcomes. Then, we develop a defense strategy focused on achieving the best result, whether that means negotiating a favorable plea agreement or preparing for trial. We communicate regularly with prosecutors to explore resolution options. Many cases resolve through negotiation, which can result in reduced charges or dismissed counts. When negotiation does not produce a fair outcome, we prepare aggressively for trial. We investigate thoroughly, interview witnesses, and challenge the prosecution’s evidence in court. Our track record speaks for itself: view our case results to see how we’ve helped clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our case results demonstrate our commitment to achieving favorable outcomes.

How Collin County Courts Actually Work

We publish detailed guides on how criminal cases really move through this county, drawn from years of prosecuting and defending here. Start with Defending a Criminal Case in Collin County, then see our deep dives on DWI in Collin County, assault family violence in Collin County versus Denton County, and ignition interlock requirements on Collin County DWI cases.

Criminal Defense Services We Provide

DWI and Impaired Driving Defense

Driving while intoxicated charges carry serious consequences in Texas, including license suspension, fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. A DWI conviction affects your employment, housing, and professional licenses. We challenge the evidence against you, from the traffic stop itself to the accuracy of breathalyzer and blood tests. We examine whether police followed proper procedures and whether your rights were protected during arrest and testing. Under Texas Transportation Code §521.344, license suspension is mandatory for DWI convictions. Our DWI defense strategy focuses on identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. For the full picture of how we defend these cases in this county, see our Collin County DWI lawyer page. If Plano PD made the arrest, we also keep a dedicated Plano DWI lawyer page covering that department’s enforcement patterns.

Drug Crime Defense

Drug possession charges range from simple possession of marijuana to manufacturing methamphetamine or trafficking cocaine. The penalties depend on the type and amount of drug involved. We defend clients facing charges for possession, distribution, manufacturing, and drug paraphernalia. We investigate how police obtained evidence and whether your constitutional rights were violated during the search or seizure. Texas Health & Safety Code §481.121-481.134 outlines the specific penalties for various drug offenses.

Assault and Family Violence

Assault charges, including aggravated assault and family violence, can result in jail time, fines, and a criminal record that affects your future. We defend clients against these serious charges by examining the evidence, questioning witness credibility, and exploring self-defense claims when applicable. We also handle protective order violations and help clients understand their options.

Sex Crime Defense

Sex crime allegations are the most serious cases prosecuted in Collin County, handled by specialized units inside the DA’s office and carrying registration stakes that can outweigh the sentence itself. We built a dedicated guide for these cases: our Collin County sex crimes lawyer page covers the grand jury defense window, the specialized units, bond conditions, and the strategy we use to keep clients off the registry.

Violent Crime Defense

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, murder, manslaughter, and robbery cases carry the highest stakes in the county’s courts, and the punishment rules around deadly weapon findings surprise even some lawyers. Our Collin County violent crimes attorney page explains how we defend these charges, from the grand jury to the jury verdict.

Serving Collin County Communities

My Dallas Criminal Lawyer serves clients throughout Collin County, including McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Celina, Prosper, and Richardson. We have extensive experience in the courts of Collin County and understand the local legal landscape. Our familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures gives our clients an advantage. If you’re located in Frisco, start with our Frisco criminal defense lawyer page for location-specific information. We also serve clients in Plano and McKinney.

Recent Results in Collin County Criminal Cases

Texas DPS troopers patrol the highways that cross Collin County, and their arrests are filed in the McKinney courts right alongside city-agency cases. These recent outcomes came from DPS arrests we defended in the Collin County courts. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

• DWI, Texas DPS arrest (Collin County): Not Guilty at jury trial
• DWI with a Child Passenger (felony), Texas DPS arrest (Collin County): felony reduced to a misdemeanor
• DWI, Texas DPS arrest (Collin County): case dismissed

More recent results by city: Plano, Frisco, and McKinney.

What Collin County Clients Say About Our Criminal Defense Attorneys

The reviews below were posted by our clients on Google. Each one links to the original so you can verify it for yourself.

“From my very first conversation with Justin Wilson at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer, I knew this was the right law firm for me. Justin took the time to carefully go over every detail of my case and never made me feel rushed. Throughout the entire process, he and his team kept me updated so I was never left wondering what would happen next. They fought hard on my behalf and ultimately got my felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor. I always felt supported and well-prepared, as Justin walked me through exactly what to expect at every stage. I highly recommend My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to anyone in need of strong, reliable legal representation.”

Haley W., Google review

“My Dallas Criminal Lawyer helped me a lot throughout my case especially Justin Harris. He was very Helpful and Professional with his work. He fought hard to get the best results possible and keep me updated throughout my case. Kimberly Palmer was also very helpful with my case and professional. The communication with Heidi at the My Dallas Criminal Lawyer was also very informing to me and keep me up to date on anything I missed.”

Luke, Google review

Not sure how to compare the firms you are considering? I wrote a former prosecutor’s guide to how to choose a criminal defense attorney: when to hire, the six questions to ask, the red flags, and how fees and payment plans work in these courts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer Today

Do not face criminal charges alone. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer is ready to fight for you. Call 214-764-5535 today to schedule your free consultation. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your case. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights. Contact us today to speak with a criminal defense attorney to get the justice you deserve.

Related Posts

• Criminal Defense Timeline and Process
• Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense