Texas Criminal Record Expungements Attorney Working to Protect Your Future

If you have been charged with a crime in the past, but were not convicted or were found to be not guilty, you will still have a criminal record. This can have a negative impact on many aspects of your life and may serve to limit employment and educational opportunities. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to have your record expunged, which erases your criminal record altogether, or be eligible for nondisclosure, which seals your record from public view. Either remedy can go a long way toward removing the taint of a past arrest.

At the Shapiro Law Firm, our Texas expungement attorneys have extensive experience helping residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex put their criminal histories behind them so they can move forward with their lives without the taint of a criminal record.

Eligibility for Expungements and Nondisclosures

Not every criminal record is eligible for expungement or nondisclosure. In general, you may be eligible for a nondisclosure if you were sentenced to probation but were found not guilty of a crime. Your record may be eligible for expungement if your case was dismissed or you were found not guilty without being sentenced to probation.

You will not be eligible for an expungement or a nondisclosure if you have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor. Also, DWI/DUI convictions of any type are not eligible for either expungement or nondisclosure.

Every Case Is Unique

While there are general eligibility guidelines, whether a record can be sealed really depends on the unique circumstances of your case and whether you have experienced any subsequent arrests. From our Plano law office, our Collin County criminal defense lawyers will review your history and let you know what your options are. We also have extensive experience helping with the sealing of a juvenile record. We do not believe that a single mistake should follow you around for the rest of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expungements In Texas

The following answers shed more light on the most pressing concerns regarding Texas expungement laws.

How long does the expungement process take in Texas?

Most expungement cases in Texas take between three and six months from start to finish. The exact timing depends on the court, the number of agencies involved and how quickly records are reviewed and cleared.

Several factors can affect how long the process takes, including the following:

• Court schedules and existing case backlogs
• Delays in locating or verifying records
• The number of agencies required to respond

While the wait can feel long, accuracy in this process is critical to help ensure your record is properly cleared.

Will my record be completely removed from background checks after an expungement in Texas?

Yes, an expungement removes your record from official government systems, so it should not appear in most standard background checks. In many situations, you are legally allowed to deny that the incident ever occurred.

There are still some practical issues that may come up, including the following:

• Private background check companies may keep outdated records: Some companies store data separately and may not update it right away.
• Some databases are not updated right away: Even official removals can take time to reflect across all systems.
• You may need to request removal from third-party sources: In some cases, extra steps are required to clear remaining records.

Even with these limitations, an expungement offers a strong level of protection and can significantly improve opportunities.

Am I eligible for expungement if I completed deferred adjudication in Texas?

Well, in most cases, completing deferred adjudication does not qualify you for a full expungement under Texas law. This often surprises people who believed finishing their case would automatically clear their record.

Other legal options may still be available, depending on your situation, including the following:

• Orders of nondisclosure that limit public access: These can seal your record from most public view, though not completely erase it.
• Eligibility rules based on the type of offense: Certain charges may qualify, while others are excluded under Texas law.
• Waiting periods before you can file: Some cases require a set amount of time to pass before you can seek relief.

These alternatives can still provide meaningful privacy, even if full expungement is not possible.

Call for a Consultation With a Dallas Criminal Records Expungements Attorney

If you have questions about a past criminal record, we are available to help. Contact our Texas expungement lawyers online or call 972-833-8196 to arrange for a consultation to discuss your legal options.