Houston Criminal Record Clearing
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Having a criminal record can reduce your chance of getting a job offer by 50%.1
1. Binyamin Applebaum. Out of Trouble, but Criminal Records Keep Men Out of Work, NYTimes.com, February 28, 2015.
Houston Expungement Lawyer
Having an arrest record can make it seriously difficult to get a new job, mortgage approval, rent an apartment, get a credit card, or obtain or keep a professional license.
Everyday Texans can be affected by a criminal charge even if the charge was DISMISSED or the person was found not guilty (acquitted) by a judge or jury.
This is where a Houston expungement lawyer can provide life-changing help.
What is Criminal Record Expungement?
Legally known as expunction, expungement is a legal procedure that, if successfully completed, allows an individual to completely destroy any records of a prior criminal offense. This allows charges that were dismissed, acquitted, or resolved through pretrial diversion to be destroyed. This means that your Houston criminal records will not appear on background checks when you apply for employment, housing, or financial products and services.
For a comprehensive overview of expunction law, see the Texas expunction statute here or read our Texas Expungement Guide.
What is an Order of Nondisclosure?
An order of nondisclosure is a legal procedure that allows a person to seal certain criminal offense records. Unlike an expunction, the records are only available to certain state agencies. The court orders these agencies to seal the records and they may not disclose them to private employers, lenders, or the public. This means that if you apply for a job at private company, a loan, or an apartment, those businesses will not be able to see your sealed charges.
For an in-depth look at Texas nondisclosure law, see the Texas nondisclosure statute here or read our Texas Nondisclosure Guide.
How Does Expungement & Nondisclosure Work in Houston/Harris County?
An expunction in the Harris County Court system or any court in Houston typically begins with your Houston expunction attorney filing of a “petition for expunction of criminal records.” Although the point is to clear criminal records, the petition is a civil lawsuit that your attorney files on your behalf.
The petition is then filed with the Harris County District Clerk’s office in Houston, TX. In the petition, your expungement lawyer will ask the court to order state agencies with copies of your criminal record to destroy or seal those records.
After the petition is filed and the filing fee is paid at the Harris County Clerk’s office, the petition will be served upon the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. This office, representing the State of Texas, will have a chance to oppose your petition.
Whether the State chooses to oppose your petition or not, the court will set your case for an expungement or nondisclosure hearing. At this hearing, the judge will decide whether to grant you what you’re asking for. If you have an expungement attorney, you do not need to go to this hearing (or deal with the court at all).
If the judge rules in your favor, your lawyer will file the judge’s order with the court clerk for service upon every State agency we suspect has a record of your offense.
How Can a Houston Expungement Lawyer Help You?
#1. Eligibility Determination
The is one of the most important steps in the record clearing process. If you apply for relief from the court and are not eligible, you could lose several hundred dollars in filing fees (and a lot of time). Your Houston expunction attorney will research your criminal record as well as the Texas expunction statute to make sure you’re eligible for legal relief.
#2. Draft & File Your Legal Documents
Expunction and nondisclosure petitions have strict legal requirements. The State will often object to a petition if it is not perfectly drafted. Hiring a Houston expunction attorney can ensure that your documents are drafted by an experienced professional who regularly handles expungements and nondisclosure in Harris County. Not only will we draft the documents, we’ll handle all filings as well.
#3. Properly Serve Important State Agencies
Even after the court rules in your favor, your case is not complete. State agencies with records of your charge need to be properly notified (served) a copy of the judge’s order. Your Houston expunction attorney will make sure that this is handled correctly.
How Much Does an Expunction Cost in Harris County/Houston?
Depending on the complexity of the case, expungements in Houston can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500 plus filing fees. Most cases are on the lower end of this range. Give us a call to get a free quote for your case.
Article Written By:
Eric Ramos
Houston Expunction Attorney
What Houston Courts Do We Clear Criminal Records In?
We represent clients for expunctions and orders of nondisclosure in the following Houston and Harris County Courts. If your court is not listed here, we still may be able to help. Call us at (844) 282-6511.
Harris County Civil Courthouse
Harris County Civil Court
Address: 201 Caroline St 5th floor, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-7300
Harris County Criminal Justice Center
Harris County Criminal Justice Center
Address: 1201 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-7300
Houston criminal record clearing
Having a criminal record can reduce your chance of getting a job offer by 50%.1
1. Binyamin Applebaum. Out of Trouble, but Criminal Records Keep Men Out of Work, NYTimes.com, February 28, 2015.
Houston Expungement Lawyer
Having an arrest record can make it seriously difficult to get a new job, mortgage approval, rent an apartment, get a credit card, or obtain or keep a professional license.
Everyday Texans can be affected by a criminal charge even if the charge was DISMISSED or the person was found not guilty (acquitted) by a judge or jury.
This is where a Houston expungement lawyer can provide life-changing help.
What is Criminal Record Expungement?
Legally known as expunction, expungement is a legal procedure that, if successfully completed, allows an individual to completely destroy any records of a prior criminal offense. This allows charges that were dismissed, acquitted, or resolved through pretrial diversion to be destroyed. This means that your Houston criminal records will not appear on background checks when you apply for employment, housing, or financial products and services.
For a comprehensive overview of expunction law, see the Texas expunction statute here or read our Texas Expungement Guide.
What is an Order of Nondisclosure?
An order of nondisclosure is a legal procedure that allows a person to seal certain criminal offense records. Unlike an expunction, the records are only available to certain state agencies. The court orders these agencies to seal the records and they may not disclose them to private employers, lenders, or the public. This means that if you apply for a job at private company, a loan, or an apartment, those businesses will not be able to see your sealed charges.
For an in-depth look at Texas nondisclosure law, see the Texas nondisclosure statute here or read our Texas Nondisclosure Guide.
How Does Expungement & Nondisclosure Work in Houston/Harris County?
An expunction in the Harris County Court system or any court in Houston typically begins with your Houston expunction attorney filing of a “petition for expunction of criminal records.” Although the point is to clear criminal records, the petition is a civil lawsuit that your attorney files on your behalf.
The petition is then filed with the Harris County District Clerk’s office in Houston, TX. In the petition, your expungement lawyer will ask the court to order state agencies with copies of your criminal record to destroy or seal those records.
After the petition is filed and the filing fee is paid at the Harris County Clerk’s office, the petition will be served upon the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. This office, representing the State of Texas, will have a chance to oppose your petition.
Whether the State chooses to oppose your petition or not, the court will set your case for an expungement or nondisclosure hearing. At this hearing, the judge will decide whether to grant you what you’re asking for. If you have an expungement attorney, you do not need to go to this hearing (or deal with the court at all).
If the judge rules in your favor, your lawyer will file the judge’s order with the court clerk for service upon every State agency we suspect has a record of your offense.
How Can a Houston Expungement Lawyer Help You?
#1. Eligibility Determination
The is one of the most important steps in the record clearing process. If you apply for relief from the court and are not eligible, you could lose several hundred dollars in filing fees (and a lot of time). Your Houston expunction attorney will research your criminal record as well as the Texas expunction statute to make sure you’re eligible for legal relief.
#2. Draft & File Your Legal Documents
Expunction and nondisclosure petitions have strict legal requirements. The State will often object to a petition if it is not perfectly drafted. Hiring a Houston expunction attorney can ensure that your documents are drafted by an experienced professional who regularly handles expungements and nondisclosure in Harris County. Not only will we draft the documents, we’ll handle all filings as well.
#3. Properly Serve Important State Agencies
Even after the court rules in your favor, your case is not complete. State agencies with records of your charge need to be properly notified (served) a copy of the judge’s order. Your Houston expunction attorney will make sure that this is handled correctly.
How Much Does an Expunction Cost in Harris County/Houston?
Depending on the complexity of the case, expungements in Houston can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500 plus filing fees. Most cases are on the lower end of this range. Give us a call to get a free quote for your case.
Article Written By:
Eric Ramos
Houston Expunction Attorney
What HoustonCourts Do We Clear Criminal Records In?
We represent clients for expunctions and orders of nondisclosure in the following Houston and Harris County Courts. If your court is not listed here, we still may be able to help. Call us at (844) 282-6511.
Harris County Civil Courthouse
Harris County Civil Court
Address: 201 Caroline St 5th floor, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-7300
Harris County Criminal Justice Center
Harris County Criminal Justice Center
Address: 1201 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 755-7300
Why Choose Us?
5-Star Rated AttorneyS
Our expunction attorneys have served thousands of Texas clients and we have over 200 five-star reviews on Google.
CLEAR PRICING, NO HIDDEN FEES
The amount we quote you is all you pay.
Money Back Guarantee
If we are unable to obtain the order of expunction or nondisclosure, we’ll refund every penny you paid us (minus filing fees paid to the court).
Recent Record Clearing Results
Every case is different. Take our free eligibility test to find out if your record can be cleared.
San Antonio, TX
Theft
Offense Level: Felony
San Antonio, TX
Drug Possession
Offense Level: Misdemeanor
Austin, TX
Theft
Offense Level: Misdemeanor
“Clearing your criminal record can ensure a more prosperous future.”
– Eric Ramos, Houston, TX Expunction Attorney
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