Sealing Your Criminal Records VS Expungement In Texas

Sealing Your Criminal Records VS Expungement In Texas
Veronica Davis
8/26/2014
Updated:
4/23/2016

Are you worried that someone is going to see your criminal record and be prejudiced against you as a person because of it? Did you know there’s a way to hide that criminal record from the prying eyes of John Q. Public or John Q. Employer? No one should have to go through life with a permanently viewable criminal record just because they made a few silly mistakes growing up. There are options that you have for sealing or hiding your criminal record.

Any Dallas or Austin expungement attorney can seal your record. If you live in either of those cities, just contact a reliable one with a good track record (pun intended), and you'll be well on your way to expunging that criminal record. Expunging your criminal record is completely legal – you just need to talk to the right attorney.

Expungement in Texas is a common legal process, and many people have used it to erase some event from their criminal record. Texas is one of just a handful of states that allow for the complete erasure of arrest records through expungement.

Texas expungement allows for the expungement of arrests that led to a guilty finding. If you are really curious about how you can get your criminal record expunged, you can also download an informational packet about it from the State Bar of Texas.

Expungement is sometimes referred to as expunction, and it entails the complete elimination of your criminal record. It is as if your record never existed.

Expungement is different from record sealing, thogh. Non-disclosure, or record sealing, sets limits on limits who can access your record and makes it harder for just anyone to know about your criminal history. The file and documentation are still available, though. Any government agency or even a court order can get to your record for review.

Expungement is a safer option because it completely erases your record, as if it never existed. Record sealing can help, but expungement is the real ticket if you want to remove all traces of your past criminal behavior.

How do you know if you’re eligible for expungement? Talk to an attorney who is a specialist on the topic if you are not sure whether you are eligible.

You are eligible to get an expunction if you were arrested, but never charged; your charge was dismissed by the court; your offense was when you were a juvenile; your offense was minor; etc. There are many ways that you can be eligible for an expunction, but it is best to talk to an attorney to see if your particular case fits the bill.

You may be ineligible for an expunction if you have received probation, if you were convicted of a felony in the last five years, or if the statue of limitations for the crime has passed.

Veronica is a wife and work at home mom. Her and her husband live in Missouri with their three boys. She has been a freelance writer for over fiver years, and has since ventured into many areas of working online and marketing online. She loves being in the kitchen, discovering new dishes the family loves and hopes to go to culinary school some day. A former Marine and ex-whitewater rafting guide, she loves the outdoors and sports.
Related Topics