These days, many employers and even landlords often pull up your criminal history, and will often deny you a job or the ability to rent housing based on the information that appears in your criminal history.
Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure allows for the following information to be expunged, or removed, from your criminal history:
- Acquittals (findings of “not-guilty” by jury or judge)
- Dismissals (in most cases).
Why would you want to remove information about dismissals or acquittals from your criminal history? Even when you were found “not guilty” or the case was dismissed, the criminal history will still show that you were arrested and charged with the crime. Such information is often used as a basis for denying employment, housing, credit, etc. We recommend expunging any information from your criminal history, if the law allows.
The following information cannot be expunged (or removed) from your criminal history:
- Convictions (even if you only paid a fine)
- Probations
If you have been placed on Deferred Adjudication probation, you may be eligible to have that information sealed or Non-Disclosed. Click here for information on Non-Disclosure.
Unfortunately, laws on this subject are complex and confusing.
To determine whether you are entitled to an expunction call us at (713) 224-9600 or email us by clicking here for a free confidential consultation.
