Clearing Vs. Sealing Your Record

How Expunctions and Non-Disclosures Work in Texas

Having a criminal record can often affect your career and hold you back in many aspects. It can affect your job searches, professional certifications and licenses, and even your credit score. If you live in Texas and wish to secure a better future, you can file for either an expunction or a non-disclosure depending on your past criminal record. Of course, working with a trusted professional in legal services is recommended to ensure the process goes smoothly.

The Expunction Process in Texas

An expunction can permanently remove or “expunge” entries from your adult criminal history record. But while filing for expunction is possible, it’s also limited depending on the type of offense you want to be expunged. Your eligibility for expunction will also depend on the type of community supervision, which can either be a deferred adjudication or regular community supervision (probation). If your past offense ends in conviction or regular community supervision, it may not be eligible for expunction. However, it may still be eligible for non-disclosure.

The Non-Disclosure Process in Texas

A non-disclosure works differently from an expunction as it only hides or “seals” certain offenses from public disclosure. This is done either through an automatic non-disclosure or through a petition. An automatic order only applies to first-time misdemeanors while the petition method is only required for eligible offenses that don’t qualify for automatic non-disclosure.

How Can a Local Law Firm Benefit You?

Filing for an expunction or non-disclosure of your past criminal records can be long and arduous without proper legal assistance. You’ll need to work with a reputable law firm that can guide you through each step of the process to help you remove your criminal record. And with the Law Office of K.M. Lyles, we’ll work with you closely so you can clear up your past for a better future.

Call Us for Your Legal Needs

Our legal services team has you covered whether you need help clearing your criminal record or are currently facing any other legal case or dispute. You can reach us at (832) 450-6368 to schedule a consultation or fill out our convenient online form to get started.