Not Guilty? • Case Dismissed? • Deferred Probation?
It’s not over yet…
When you are arrested and charged with a crime, a public record is created at the police station and forwarded to the Texas Department of Public Safety. That record is entered into a database at the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) and then forwarded to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). From there this sensitive information gains a life of its own and can make your life difficult for years to come.
Arrest records can be obtained by private companies for their own use, such as when a prospective employer does a background check before hiring or when a landlord does a background check before offering a lease. A college may do a background check as part of its acceptance procedure or before offering housing.
A criminal record – even one that says you were found innocent – can be enough to cause an employer or landlord to steer clear. But there are remedies to this problem for some people.
Dallas Criminal Record Expungement & Non Disclosure
At our criminal defense law firm, we help people recover their good name and gain a clear record if they had a criminal case that was:
- dismissed,
- declined,
- resulted in a “not guilty” verdict, or
- resolved with a deferred disposition.
We can file a Petition for Expunction to destroy, or “expunge,” the public record of your criminal case if it was dismissed, declined, or you received a not guilty. Further, if you were given deferred probation on a class c misdemeanor. The process will take a few months to complete, but the result will be worth the effort. Contact our Dallas record expungement attorney, Murray L. Bristol, to see if you’re eligible.
Not eligible for Expungement?
If you were found guilty of certain offenses (class B misdemeanor, class A misdemeanor or some felonies), received and completed deferred adjudication probation, the law now allows you to prevent the disclosure of your criminal records to the general public (although licensing agencies and private entities responsible for safety and security will still have access to this information).
If a judge signs an Order of Non-Disclosure, Texas DPS and other public agencies are prohibited from releasing information about your probationary punishment. Contact our North Texas expunction lawyer as soon as you have completed your probation to ask if you are eligible to file a Petition for Non-Disclosure.
For most misdemeanor cases, a petition for an order of nondisclosure can begin immediately after probation is completed. For some misdemeanors, there is a two year wait and for some felonies there is a five year wait.
The Law applicable to in Texas regarding Expunctions and Nondisclosures are provided below for your information:
EXPUNCTION OF CRIMINAL RECORDS
Art. 55.01. RIGHT TO EXPUNCTION. (a) A person who has been placed under a custodial or noncustodial arrest for commission of either a felony or misdemeanor is entitled to have all records and files relating to the arrest expunged if:
(1) the person is tried for the offense for which the person was arrested and is:
(A) acquitted by the trial court, except as provided by Subsection (c); or
(B) convicted and subsequently:
(i) pardoned for a reason other than that described by Subparagraph (ii); or
(ii) pardoned or otherwise granted relief on the basis of actual innocence with respect to that offense, if the applicable pardon or court order clearly indicates on its face that the pardon or order was granted or rendered on the basis of the person’s actual innocence; or
(2) the person has been released and the charge, if any, has not resulted in a final conviction and is no longer pending and there was no court-ordered community supervision under Article 42.12 for the offense, unless the offense is a Class C misdemeanor, provided that:
(A) regardless of whether any statute of limitations exists for the offense and whether any limitations period for the offense has expired, an indictment or information charging the person with the commission of a misdemeanor offense based on the person’s arrest or charging the person with the commission of any felony offense arising out of the same transaction for which the person was arrested:
(i) has not been presented against the person at any time following the arrest, and:
(a) at least 180 days have elapsed from the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was sought was for an offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor and if there was no felony charge arising out of the same transaction for which the person was arrested;
(b) at least one year has elapsed from the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was sought was for an offense punishable as a Class B or A misdemeanor and if there was no felony charge arising out of the same transaction for which the person was arrested;
(c) at least three years have elapsed from the date of arrest if the arrest for which the expunction was sought was for an offense punishable as a felony or if there was a felony charge arising out of the same transaction for which the person was arrested; or
(d) the attorney representing the state certifies that the applicable arrest records and files are not needed for use in any criminal investigation or prosecution, including an investigation or prosecution of another person; or
(ii) if presented at any time following the arrest, was dismissed or quashed, and the court finds that the indictment or information was dismissed or quashed because the person completed a pretrial intervention program authorized under Section 76.011, Government Code, because the presentment had been made because of mistake, false information, or other similar reason indicating absence of probable cause at the time of the dismissal to believe the person committed the offense, or because the indictment or information was void; or
(B) prosecution of the person for the offense for which the person was arrested is no longer possible because the limitations period has expired.
(a-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a person may not expunge records and files relating to an arrest that occurs pursuant to a warrant issued under Section 21, Article 42.12.
(a-2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a person who intentionally or knowingly absconds from the jurisdiction after being released under Chapter 17 following an arrest is not eligible under Subsection (a)(2)(A)(i)(a), (b), or (c) or Subsection (a)(2)(B) for an expunction of the records and files relating to that arrest.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a district court may expunge all records and files relating to the arrest of a person who has been arrested for commission of a felony or misdemeanor under the procedure established under Article 55.02 if:
(1) the person is:
(A) tried for the offense for which the person was arrested;
(B) convicted of the offense; and
(C) acquitted by the court of criminal appeals or, if the period for granting a petition for discretionary review has expired, by a court of appeals; or
(2) an office of the attorney representing the state authorized by law to prosecute the offense for which the person was arrested recommends the expunction to the appropriate district court before the person is tried for the offense, regardless of whether an indictment or information has been presented against the person in relation to the offense.
(c) A court may not order the expunction of records and files relating to an arrest for an offense for which a person is subsequently acquitted, whether by the trial court, a court of appeals, or the court of criminal appeals, if the offense for which the person was acquitted arose out of a criminal episode, as defined by Section 3.01, Penal Code, and the person was convicted of or remains subject to prosecution for at least one other offense occurring during the criminal episode.
(d) A person is entitled to have any information that identifies the person, including the person’s name, address, date of birth, driver’s license number, and social security number, contained in records and files relating to the arrest of another person expunged if:
(1) the information identifying the person asserting the entitlement to expunction was falsely given by the person arrested as the arrested person’s identifying information without the consent of the person asserting the entitlement; and
(2) the only reason for the information identifying the person asserting the entitlement being contained in the arrest records and files of the person arrested is that the information was falsely given by the person arrested as the arrested person’s identifying information.
NONDISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL RECORD:
Sec. 411.081. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This subchapter does not apply to criminal history record information that is contained in:
(1) posters, announcements, or lists for identifying or apprehending fugitives or wanted persons;
(2) original records of entry, including police blotters maintained by a criminal justice agency that are compiled chronologically and required by law or long-standing practice to be available to the public;
(3) public judicial, administrative, or legislative proceedings;
(4) court records of public judicial proceedings;
(5) published judicial or administrative opinions; or
(6) announcements of executive clemency.
(b) This subchapter does not prohibit a criminal justice agency from disclosing to the public criminal history record information that is related to the offense for which a person is involved in the criminal justice system.
(c) This subchapter does not prohibit a criminal justice agency from confirming previous criminal history record information to any person on specific inquiry about whether a named person was arrested, detained, indicted, or formally charged on a specified date, if the information disclosed is based on data excluded by Subsection (b).
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, if a person is placed on deferred adjudication community supervision under Section 5, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, subsequently receives a discharge and dismissal under Section 5(c), Article 42.12, and satisfies the requirements of Subsection (e), the person may petition the court that placed the defendant on deferred adjudication for an order of nondisclosure under this subsection. Except as provided by Subsection (e), a person may petition the court under this subsection regardless of whether the person has been previously placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for another offense. After notice to the state and a hearing on whether the person is entitled to file the petition and issuance of the order is in the best interest of justice, the court shall issue an order prohibiting criminal justice agencies from disclosing to the public criminal history record information related to the offense giving rise to the deferred adjudication. A criminal justice agency may disclose criminal history record information that is the subject of the order only to other criminal justice agencies, for criminal justice or regulatory licensing purposes, an agency or entity listed in Subsection (i), or the person who is the subject of the order. A person may petition the court that placed the person on deferred adjudication for an order of nondisclosure on payment of a $28 fee to the clerk of the court in addition to any other fee that generally applies to the filing of a civil petition. The payment may be made only on or after:
(1) the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a misdemeanor other than a misdemeanor described by Subdivision (2);
(2) the second anniversary of the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a misdemeanor under Chapter 20, 21, 22, 25, 42, or 46, Penal Code; or
(3) the fifth anniversary of the discharge and dismissal, if the offense for which the person was placed on deferred adjudication was a felony.
(e) A person is entitled to petition the court under Subsection (d) only if during the period of the deferred adjudication community supervision for which the order of nondisclosure is requested and during the applicable period described by Subsection (d)(1), (2), or (3), as appropriate, the person is not convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision under Section 5, Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, for any offense other than an offense under the Transportation Code punishable by fine only. A person is not entitled to petition the court under Subsection (d) if the person was placed on the deferred adjudication community supervision for or has been previously convicted or placed on any other deferred adjudication for:
(1) an offense requiring registration as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) an offense under Section 20.04, Penal Code, regardless of whether the offense is a reportable conviction or adjudication for purposes of Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(3) an offense under Section 19.02, 19.03, 22.04, 22.041, 25.07, or 42.072, Penal Code; or
(4) any other offense involving family violence, as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code.
(f) For purposes of Subsection (d), a person is considered to have been placed on deferred adjudication community supervision if, regardless of the statutory authorization:
(1) the person entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere;
(2) the judge deferred further proceedings without entering an adjudication of guilt and placed the person under the supervision of the court or an officer under the supervision of the court; and
(3) at the end of the period of supervision the judge dismissed the proceedings and discharged the person.
(f-1) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 731, Sec. 12, eff. June 17, 2011.
(g) Not later than the 15th business day after the date an order of nondisclosure is issued under this section, the clerk of the court shall send all relevant criminal history record information contained in the order or a copy of the order by certified mail, return receipt requested, or secure electronic mail, electronic transmission, or facsimile transmission to the Crime Records Service of the Department of Public Safety.
(g-1) Not later than 10 business days after receipt of relevant criminal history record information contained in an order or a copy of an order under Subsection (g), the Department of Public Safety shall seal any criminal history record information maintained by the department that is the subject of the order. The department shall also send all relevant criminal history record information contained in the order or a copy of the order by certified mail, return receipt requested, or secure electronic mail, electronic transmission, or facsimile transmission to all:
(1) law enforcement agencies, jails or other detention facilities, magistrates, courts, prosecuting attorneys, correctional facilities, central state depositories of criminal records, and other officials or agencies or other entities of this state or of any political subdivision of this state;
(2) central federal depositories of criminal records that there is reason to believe have criminal history record information that is the subject of the order; and
(3) private entities that purchase criminal history record information from the department or that otherwise are likely to have criminal history record information that is subject to the order.
(g-1a) The director shall adopt rules regarding minimum standards for the security of secure electronic mail, electronic transmissions, and facsimile transmissions under Subsections (g) and (g-1). In adopting rules under this subsection, the director shall consult with the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System.
(g-1b) Not later than 30 business days after receipt of relevant criminal history record information contained in an order or a copy of an order from the Department of Public Safety under Subsection (g-1), an individual or entity described by Subsection (g-1)(1) shall seal any criminal history record information maintained by the individual or entity that is the subject of the order.
(g-1c) The department may charge to a private entity that purchases criminal history record information from the department a fee in an amount sufficient to recover costs incurred by the department in providing relevant criminal history record information contained in an order or a copy of an order under Subsection (g-1)(3) to the entity.
(g-2) A person whose criminal history record information has been sealed under this section is not required in any application for employment, information, or licensing to state that the person has been the subject of any criminal proceeding related to the information that is the subject of an order issued under this section.
(h) The clerk of a court that collects a fee under Subsection (d) shall remit the fee to the comptroller not later than the last day of the month following the end of the calendar quarter in which the fee is collected, and the comptroller shall deposit the fee in the general revenue fund. The Department of Public Safety shall submit a report to the legislature not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year that includes information on:
(1) the number of petitions for nondisclosure and orders of nondisclosure received by the department in each of the previous two years;
(2) the actions taken by the department with respect to the petitions and orders received;
(3) the costs incurred by the department in taking those actions; and
(4) the number of persons who are the subject of an order of nondisclosure and who became the subject of criminal charges for an offense committed after the order was issued.
(i) A criminal justice agency may disclose criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of nondisclosure under Subsection (d) to the following noncriminal justice agencies or entities only:
(1) the State Board for Educator Certification;
(2) a school district, charter school, private school, regional education service center, commercial transportation company, or education shared service arrangement;
(3) the Texas Medical Board;
(4) the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired;
(5) the Board of Law Examiners;
(6) the State Bar of Texas;
(7) a district court regarding a petition for name change under Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Family Code;
(8) the Texas School for the Deaf;
(9) the Department of Family and Protective Services;
(10) the Texas Youth Commission;
(11) the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services;
(12) the Department of State Health Services, a local mental health service, a local mental retardation authority, or a community center providing services to persons with mental illness or retardation;
(13) the Texas Private Security Board;
(14) a municipal or volunteer fire department;
(15) the Texas Board of Nursing;
(16) a safe house providing shelter to children in harmful situations;
(17) a public or nonprofit hospital or hospital district;
(18) the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission;
(19) the securities commissioner, the banking commissioner, the savings and mortgage lending commissioner, the consumer credit commissioner, or the credit union commissioner;
(20) the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy;
(21) the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
(22) the Health and Human Services Commission;
(23) the Department of Aging and Disability Services;
(24) the Texas Education Agency;
(25) the Guardianship Certification Board;
(26) a county clerk’s office in relation to a proceeding for the appointment of a guardian under Chapter XIII, Texas Probate Code;
(27) the Department of Information Resources but only regarding an employee, applicant for employment, contractor, subcontractor, intern, or volunteer who provides network security services under Chapter 2059 to:
(A) the Department of Information Resources; or
(B) a contractor or subcontractor of the Department of Information Resources;
(28) the Court Reporters Certification Board;
(29) the Texas Department of Insurance; and
(30) the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
If you would like to speak to a knowledgeable, dedicated and aggressive Dallas expunction and non-disclosure attorney for a free consultation, please call our office at (214) 880-9988, or if you prefer contact us through the form on this website, and we will contact you promptly.