Expungement & Nondisclosure

We all make mistakes at one time or another, but some mistakes can follow us for a lifetime.

A criminal record can affect you forever. Even if the charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty at trial, the arrest will still show on your criminal record.

If you’re reading this, then you probably already know the negative effects a criminal record can have. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Criminal record clearing through expungement or nondisclosure could help you:

– Pass a criminal background check

– Get a new or better job

– Get better access to credit;

– Restore firearm rights;

– Get better access to apartment rentals or other housing;

– Adopt a child;

– Pay lower insurance premiums

How Can A Criminal Record be Cleared in Texas?

Texas law affords us two primary ways to clear criminal records: Expunction and Nondisclosure.

1. Expunction (Expungement)

Expunction is the correct legal term for expungement. An expunction basically results in the complete destruction of records of a particular arrest and criminal charge.

Expunction is only available for certain types of cases, so it’s important to research your eligibility and handle the application (and court hearing) correctly so you don’t waste precious time and hundreds of dollars in filing fees.

For more information, read our free guide to Expungement in Texas.

2. Order of Nondisclosure

An order of nondisclosure is very similar to an expunction, but instead of “destroying” your record, nondisclosure “seals” your record.

Certain State agencies may still obtain information about an offense that was sealed through nondisclosure, however businesses and the private background check companies they use will not have access to your records.

This has the same outcome as expunction for most people because most employers and private entities like schools won’t ever see the criminal record.

For more information, read our free Texas Nondisclosure Guide.

How to Choose Between Expungement vs. Nondisclosure

The answer to this is quite simple. You should choose whichever one is available to you under the law. Both options have very strict requirements, but expungement requirements are stricter.

You should always choose expungement if you are eligible for it, but if not, nondisclosure can be a great second option (and just as life-changing). A Texas expungement & nondisclosure lawyer can help you determine what record clearing options are available.

Who is Eligible for an Expunction?

Expunction is usually available for people who have had their charges

– Dismissed outright for particular reasons;

– No-billed by a grand jury;

– Dismissed after pretrial diversion or deferred prosecution; or

– Acquitted (found not guilty)

– Deferred (Class C misdemeanors only)

It typically is not available for those who pled guilty, served time, completed probation, or had their case dismissed through deferred adjudication.

Who is Eligible for a Nondisclosure?

Nondisclosure is available to people with a much greater range of legal outcomes. As long as certain prerequisites are met, Texas law allows the sealing of cases with the below outcomes:

– Dismissed after completing deferred adjudication;

– Sentenced to community supervision;

– Sentenced to jail time;

– Convicted with other sentencing outcomes; 

How Can I Seal or Expunge My Record in Texas?

1. The first step is to find out if you’re eligible. Read our expungement page, take our free expungement eligibility test here, or discuss your case with a local expungement lawyer near you.

2. File your petition with the court.

3. Serve notices of the petition on state agencies (see our guide here).

4. Attend the court hearing.

5. File the signed order with the court clerk.

These steps are very abbreviated and we’ll be publishing more pages (and videos) soon with more information.

If you have questions about your case, feel free to call our office and we’ll take a look for you.

Note: if you’re one of our Texas personal injury or car accident clients looking for our main website, click here to visit ericramoslaw.com: San Antonio Personal Injury Attorney

Expungement & Nondisclosure

We all make mistakes at one time or another, but some mistakes can follow us for a lifetime.

A criminal record can affect you forever. Even if the charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty at trial, the arrest will still show on your criminal record.

If you’re reading this, then you probably already know the negative effects a criminal record can have. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Criminal record clearing through expungement or nondisclosure could help you:

– Pass a criminal background check

– Get a new or better job

– Get better access to credit;

– Restore firearm rights;

– Get better access to apartment rentals or other housing;

– Adopt a child;

– Pay lower insurance premiums

How Can A Criminal Record be Cleared in Texas?

Texas law affords us two primary ways to clear criminal records: Expunction and Nondisclosure.

1. Expunction (Expungement)

Expunction is the correct legal term for expungement. An expunction basically results in the complete destruction of records of a particular arrest and criminal charge.

Expunction is only available for certain types of cases, so it’s important to research your eligibility and handle the application (and court hearing) correctly so you don’t waste precious time and hundreds of dollars in filing fees.

For more information, read our free guide to Expungement in Texas.

2. Order of Nondisclosure

An order of nondisclosure is very similar to an expunction, but instead of “destroying” your record, nondisclosure “seals” your record.

Certain State agencies may still obtain information about an offense that was sealed through nondisclosure, however businesses and the private background check companies they use will not have access to your records.

This has the same outcome as expunction for most people because most employers and private entities like schools won’t ever see the criminal record.

For more information, read our free Texas Nondisclosure Guide.

How to Choose Between Expungement vs. Nondisclosure

The answer to this is quite simple. You should choose whichever one is available to you under the law. Both options have very strict requirements, but expungement requirements are stricter.

You should always choose expungement if you are eligible for it, but if not, nondisclosure can be a great second option (and just as life-changing). A Texas expungement & nondisclosure lawyer can help you determine what record clearing options are available.

Who is Eligible for an Expunction?

Expunction is usually available for people who have had their charges

– Dismissed outright for particular reasons;

– No-billed by a grand jury;

– Dismissed after pretrial diversion or deferred prosecution; or

– Acquitted (found not guilty)

– Deferred (Class C misdemeanors only)

It typically is not available for those who pled guilty, served time, completed probation, or had their case dismissed through deferred adjudication.

Who is Eligible for a Nondisclosure?

Nondisclosure is available to people with a much greater range of legal outcomes. As long as certain prerequisites are met, Texas law allows the sealing of cases with the below outcomes:

– Dismissed after completing deferred adjudication;

– Sentenced to community supervision;

– Sentenced to jail time;

– Convicted with other sentencing outcomes; 

How Can I Seal or Expunge My Record in Texas?

1. The first step is to find out if you’re eligible. Read our expungement page, take our free expungement eligibility test here, or discuss your case with a local expungement lawyer near you.

2. File your petition with the court.

3. Serve notices of the petition on state agencies (see our guide here).

4. Attend the court hearing.

5. File the signed order with the court clerk.

These steps are very abbreviated and we’ll be publishing more pages (and videos) soon with more information.

If you have questions about your case, feel free to call our office and we’ll take a look for you.

Note: if you’re one of our Texas personal injury or car accident clients looking for our main website, click here to visit ericramoslaw.com: San Antonio Personal Injury Attorney

Expungement & Nondisclosure

We all make mistakes at one time or another, but some mistakes can follow us for a lifetime.

A criminal record can affect you forever. Even if the charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty at trial, the arrest will still show on your criminal record.

If you’re reading this, then you probably already know the negative effects a criminal record can have. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Criminal record clearing through expungement or nondisclosure could help you:

– Pass a criminal background check

– Get a new or better job

– Get better access to credit;

– Restore firearm rights;

– Get better access to apartment rentals or other housing;

– Adopt a child;

– Pay lower insurance premiums

How Can A Criminal Record be Cleared in Texas?

Texas law affords us two primary ways to clear criminal records: Expunction and Nondisclosure.

1. Expunction (Expungement)

Expunction is the correct legal term for expungement. An expunction basically results in the complete destruction of records of a particular arrest and criminal charge.

Expunction is only available for certain types of cases, so it’s important to research your eligibility and handle the application (and court hearing) correctly so you don’t waste precious time and hundreds of dollars in filing fees.

For more information, read our free guide to Expungement in Texas.

2. Order of Nondisclosure

An order of nondisclosure is very similar to an expunction, but instead of “destroying” your record, nondisclosure “seals” your record.

Certain State agencies may still obtain information about an offense that was sealed through nondisclosure, however businesses and the private background check companies they use will not have access to your records.

This has the same outcome as expunction for most people because most employers and private entities like schools won’t ever see the criminal record.

For more information, read our free Texas Nondisclosure Guide.

How to Choose Between Expungement vs. Nondisclosure

The answer to this is quite simple. You should choose whichever one is available to you under the law. Both options have very strict requirements, but expungement requirements are stricter.

You should always choose expungement if you are eligible for it, but if not, nondisclosure can be a great second option (and just as life-changing). A Texas expungement & nondisclosure lawyer can help you determine what record clearing options are available.

Who is Eligible for an Expunction?

Expunction is usually available for people who have had their charges

– Dismissed outright for particular reasons;

– No-billed by a grand jury;

– Dismissed after pretrial diversion or deferred prosecution; or

– Acquitted (found not guilty)

– Deferred (Class C misdemeanors only)

It typically is not available for those who pled guilty, served time, completed probation, or had their case dismissed through deferred adjudication.

Who is Eligible for a Nondisclosure?

Nondisclosure is available to people with a much greater range of legal outcomes. As long as certain prerequisites are met, Texas law allows the sealing of cases with the below outcomes:

– Dismissed after completing deferred adjudication;

– Sentenced to community supervision;

– Sentenced to jail time;

– Convicted with other sentencing outcomes; 

How Can I Seal or Expunge My Record in Texas?

1. The first step is to find out if you’re eligible. Read our expungement page, take our free expungement eligibility test here, or discuss your case with a local expungement lawyer near you.

2. File your petition with the court.

3. Serve notices of the petition on state agencies (see our guide here).

4. Attend the court hearing.

5. File the signed order with the court clerk.

These steps are very abbreviated and we’ll be publishing more pages (and videos) soon with more information.

If you have questions about your case, feel free to call our office and we’ll take a look for you.