Expunctions / Non-Disclosure

A criminal charge on your record can make your future more difficult. Past criminal charges can substantially hinder future job prospects, make you ineligible for loans or housing assistance, and overall can heavily burden an individual looking to move forward with their life. Texas law allows for two different ways to either seal or remove criminal arrests from your record. Contact an attorney at Carabin Shaw to help you decide which process may be right for you.

The first question to ask is whether or not you are eligible for an expunction. If your case was dismissed, reduced to a Class C Misdemeanor, Pardoned, or you were found Not Guilty by a jury, you may be eligible to have this incident removed from you record. An expunction is the mechanism to remove all mention of criminal charges from your record. Remember that just because your case was dismissed does not mean it is not on your record. You must take the extra step of getting your record expunged to prevent the damaging consequences of having a criminal arrest haunt you forever.

Even if you are not eligible for an expunction, there is another legal mechanism that may help you put your past behind you. An individual who has successfully completed Deferred Adjudication may be eligible to apply for a Non Disclosure to limit those who would have access their criminal record. If you apply for and are granted a Non Disclosure order, law enforcement and other entities related to the Government will still have access to your record, but generally will not release this information to the public.