Texas Record Clearing

Expunction (Expungement)

In Texas, expunction (the state's term for expungement) allows eligible individuals to have all records of an arrest, charge, or conviction completely removed from their record. You may qualify for expunction if:

• You were arrested but never charged
• Your case was dismissed
• You were acquitted (found "not guilty")
• You were convicted but later pardoned
• You completed certain types of deferred adjudication for Class C misdemeanors
• You were convicted of certain alcohol-related offenses as a minor

When your record is expunged, all information about the arrest is destroyed, and you can legally deny that the arrest ever occurred.

Orders of Nondisclosure

An order of nondisclosure seals your criminal record from the general public but keeps it available to criminal justice agencies, certain government entities, and some private entities specified by law. You may qualify for an order of nondisclosure if:

• You successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision
• You were convicted of certain misdemeanors and completed all terms of your sentence
• You meet the waiting period requirements (varies by offense)
• You have not been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for certain disqualifying offenses

While not as complete as expunction, orders of nondisclosure still prevent most employers, housing providers, and the general public from accessing your criminal record.

The Texas Process

The process for clearing your record in Texas typically involves:

1. Determining eligibility based on Texas law
2. Preparing and filing a petition in the court where your case was handled
3. Serving the petition on all agencies with records related to your case
4. Attending a hearing (if required by the court)
5. Obtaining a court order granting expunction or nondisclosure
6. Ensuring all agencies comply with the order

This process typically takes 4-6 months from start to finish but can vary based on the county and court caseload.