He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University where he was one of the first three African American students admitted in 1954.
Collins was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 17, 1978, and received his commission on May 19, 1978, he served until his resignation on August 6, 1993.
[3] In 1991, Collins was convicted of accepting money to influence his sentencing of a marijuana smuggler.
Consequently, on May 19, 1993, United States Representative James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin introduced H. RES.
Collins resigned on August 6, 1993, his impending impeachment hearings scheduled to begin the next day.