A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in Texas has to undergo imprisonment or probation. The court may also impose fines, restrictions, or sanctions. All these sentences have potential after-effects on your education, career, job, mortgage, and even when looking for housing as they often call for a criminal history background check.
Many employers turn down people with a criminal past. Any disclosure of the past misdemeanor or felony convictions may lead to the termination or negative stigma at work. Schools and colleges also resort to backgrounds checks when in the admission process. In Texas, a criminal charge has the potential to result in the cancellation of immigration status and repatriation. You may also face denial of gun or driving license notwithstanding your professional or job requirements.
There also restrictions regarding child custody in case you have a past criminal conviction. Texas law excludes convicts from certain subsidized programs and public benefits.
So, how does one make sure that their past conviction does not spoil their present or future? Fortunately, there is an option to expunge a criminal record in Texas. Meet a Houston criminal defense attorney to know the rules and process for the deletion of criminal records or block public access to them.
Texas Expungement Law
There are two ways to remove criminal records in Texas.
- Expunction: Complete removal of your criminal past from public records, including those of the police and prosecution
- Non-Disclosure: A blackout of information on all your offenses from the public record beyond the accessibility of any individual.
An order to expunge all criminal records issued under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 55.02 results in the destruction of files containing a reference to your crime, arrest, and punishment. Once your case is expunged it is gone from public records. Some agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, however, may still have knowledge of the crime.
An order of non-disclosure effectively seals your record and keeps it out of the public view. But these are available to enforcement agencies.
Texas Government Code Section 411.081(d) allows a nondisclosure petition on deferred adjudication in cases of a plea of guilty. However, one must complete his probation to be eligible for it.
In the case of both expunction and no-disclosure awards, a person is entitled to hide his criminal record or deny that he was ever arrested, charged, prosecuted, or jailed.
Eligibility for Expunging Record in Texas
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 55.01 sets the eligibility criteria for seeking an expunction of criminal records. The permission is granted to a person only if
- no criminal charges were filed against him,
- he was charged but acquitted on an appeal,
- charges against him were subject to a later dismissal order,
- he was found innocent after a conviction,
- a grand jury issued a “no-bill” while considering charges against him,
- he was arrested but never tried and prosecutor approves expunction,
- he made a successful plea bargaining,
- he was sentenced for misdemeanor offenses during his childhood, or
- he received a pardoned from the Governor or the President.
However, certain final criminal convictions, including imprisonment for a DWI offense, are not subject to expungement. Also, straight probation is not eligible for an expunction order. For deferred adjudication, it is allowed only for Class C misdemeanors. But those charged with Class A and B misdemeanors or felonies can only petition for an order of non-disclosure. Talk to your Houston criminal defense attorney to know your options.
When a petition for expunction or non-disclosure is denied, one can move the court with a Habeas Corpus writ. Pardon by the Governor or the President is another last resort.
The Process Duration for Expungement in Texas
Depending on the class of offense, there is a mandatory waiting period before a court can take any request for expungement or nondisclosure. It is 180 days after a Class C misdemeanor arrest, a year in case of Class A and B misdemeanors, and 3 to 5 years following an arrest for felonies. Criminal records cited for expunction destroyed within 180 days of the court order.
The process for non-disclosure and expungement in Texas is extremely complex. Contact a capable Houston criminal defense attorney and know options to expunge your criminal records or get a court order preventing public access to your criminal records. Contact Zavala Texas Law to know your options.
As a legal expert with a deep understanding of criminal defense and expungement laws, I can provide valuable insights into the complex legal landscape surrounding criminal records in Texas.
My expertise in this field stems from extensive knowledge of the Texas legal system and the intricate details of expungement and non-disclosure processes. I have practical experience navigating through the legal requirements, court procedures, and eligibility criteria associated with clearing criminal records in the state of Texas.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Legal Ramifications of Criminal Convictions in Texas:
- Misdemeanor or felony convictions in Texas can lead to imprisonment, probation, fines, restrictions, and sanctions.
- The impact of criminal convictions extends to various aspects of life, including education, career, job opportunities, mortgage applications, and housing searches.
- Criminal history background checks are common, and having a record can result in negative consequences such as job termination and social stigma.
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Challenges Faced by Individuals with Criminal Records:
- Many employers reject individuals with a criminal past, affecting their employment prospects.
- Educational institutions may conduct background checks during the admission process.
- Criminal charges in Texas can lead to the cancellation of immigration status and repatriation.
- Denial of gun or driving licenses may occur, irrespective of professional or job requirements.
- Child custody may be restricted for individuals with past criminal convictions.
- Exclusion from certain subsidized programs and public benefits is mandated by Texas law.
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Expungement and Non-Disclosure in Texas:
- Two primary methods for dealing with criminal records: Expunction and Non-Disclosure.
- Expunction involves the complete removal of criminal records from public records, including police and prosecution records.
- Non-Disclosure is a blackout of information on all offenses beyond the accessibility of any individual.
- Expunction results in the destruction of files containing references to crimes, arrests, and punishments.
- Non-Disclosure seals the record, making it inaccessible to the public but available to enforcement agencies.
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Texas Government Code and Nondisclosure Eligibility:
- Texas Government Code Section 411.081(d) allows for a nondisclosure petition in cases of deferred adjudication with a guilty plea.
- Eligibility for expunging records is outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 55.01.
- Various scenarios make an individual eligible for expunction, including acquittal, dismissal, innocence after conviction, successful plea bargaining, and more.
- Certain final criminal convictions, like DWI offenses, may not be subject to expungement.
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Process Duration and Eligibility Criteria:
- Mandatory waiting periods for expungement or nondisclosure requests vary based on the class of offense.
- Waiting periods range from 180 days for Class C misdemeanors to 3 to 5 years for felonies.
- The expungement process is complex, and denial of a petition can be challenged with a Habeas Corpus writ.
In conclusion, individuals in Texas facing the challenges of a criminal record have options through expungement or non-disclosure. However, the process is intricate, and consultation with a knowledgeable Houston criminal defense attorney, such as those at Zavala Texas Law, is crucial to understanding and pursuing the available legal avenues.
