What to Know About Expunction in Texas 

 Posted on December 22, 2022 in DWI

We have heard it since we were teenagers: One mistake can ruin your life. Indeed, being arrested, charged, or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor can leave you with a criminal record and have terrible consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. However, depending on your offenses, you may be eligible for an expunction if you live in Texas and currently have a criminal record. Expunction is the permanent removal of a crime from your criminal record. In this blog, we will look at what expunction is and how to know if you are eligible.

If you are interested in learning whether your criminal record is eligible for expunction, contacting an experienced attorney who is familiar with expunction in Texas and has secured expunction for clients in the past can be an excellent first step towards erasing your criminal record once and for all.

What Qualifies for Expunction in Texas?

In Texas, not all criminal records are eligible for expunction. Records eligible for expunction typically include the following: 

• Arrests for crimes for which you were never formally charged

• Offenses for which you have successfully finished a pre-trial program 

• Charges that ended up being dismissed or rejected completely 

• Some first-time DWI charges 

• Some juvenile misdemeanor transgressions

• Convictions related to underage alcohol violations

How Can I Apply for Expunction? 

As stated previously, the first step you need to take is to consult with a qualified expunction attorney. Once it has been determined that you are eligible, your attorney will submit a petition for expunction with the court associated with your case. Once this step has been taken, the court will set a date for your hearing. This will allow the original agency that charged you a chance to try and contest the expunction. However, if you meet the requirements for expunction, in all likelihood, your expunction request will be granted. Once this occurs, your lawyer will present the expunction order to a judge to sign. The judge then files the order with the agency that initially charged you. At this point, the records are deleted. 

It should be noted that even if you are denied an opportunity for expunction, there is still hope. Your attorney may be able to secure a nondisclosure order, limiting other parties’ access to your criminal record. In addition, people who have completed their adjudication probations may be eligible for a nondisclosure order. Consult with your attorney to see if this approach is right for you. 

Contact an Atascosa County Expunction Attorney

To see if you are eligible for an expunction, contact the highly skilled Pleasanton expunction lawyers with BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys. Call 830-769-1010 today for a free consultation.

Source:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/expunctions-and-non-disclosure