What to Know About Expungement in Texas

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A criminal record can affect your life for years to come. Luckily, some crimes are eligible for expungement. Read on to learn more.

Long-Term Consequences of a Criminal Record:

  • Many job applications ask if you have been convicted of a crime. If asked, you will have to answer “yes,” which can drastically impact your chances of getting hired.
  • If you are convicted of a sex crime, you will have to register as a sex offender, which notifies the public of your crime, as well as your whereabouts at all times.
  • If you were convicted of a DUI offense, it will most likely prohibit you from obtaining a commercial driver’s license at any point.
  • Criminal convictions often prohibit individuals from serving in certain government jobs.
  • If you are a divorced parent, your criminal record may affect your child custody agreement, as the core of these agreements is to act in the best interests of your child.
  • Some criminal convictions can prevent you from taking out certain loans.
  • Often, landlords will conduct a background check before renting out a property, and if you have a criminal record, you may not be able to live in certain places.

Can I Have my Criminal Record Expunged in Texas?

When your criminal record is expunged, information about an arrest, charge, or conviction will be removed from your record. Some of the crimes that may be eligible for expungement in Texas are as follows:

  • Some misdemeanor juvenile offenses
  • Certain underage alcohol offenses
  • Failing to attend school
  • Crimes acquitted by a trial court or the Criminal Court of Appeals
  • Crimes pardoned either by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States
  • Criminal charges that were later dismissed
  • Being arrested for a crime, though never facing formal charges for the alleged crime

If you were convicted of any of the following crimes, you may not have your record expunged:

  • You were convicted of a crime that was determined to be part of a criminal episode
  • You have charges pending against you for a different crime
  • You received deferred adjudication or probation
  • You were charged with an additional felony within a 5-year period of a separate felony offense.

If you have any questions about record expungements in Texas, contact our firm today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED HOUSTON FIRM

We understand how challenging various legal matters can be, which is why we have dedicated ourselves to helping clients in Texas through a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury law and criminal defense. If you have sustained a serious injury or are facing criminal charges, contact the Gonzalez Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead.