If you were arrested in the past, but not convicted, that arrest may be haunting you to this day. An arrest remains part of your criminal record and does not go away unless you do something about it. Many people seek to have their records cleared through an expungement or a petition for nondisclosure.
If you are seeking to clear your criminal record, the attorneys at Shook & Gunter can help. We are experienced Dallas defense lawyers who can help you with all of the legal details of an expungement or petition for nondisclosure.
Sealing Criminal Records in Texas
An arrest on your criminal record can affect everything from seeking employment to apartment and loan applications to professional licenses. Texas law allows two processes for people who wish to have a criminal record erased:
Expungement If you were arrested and tried for a crime and the charges were dismissed, or you were found not guilty, you can generally have the record of your arrest and prosecution expunged.
Petition for nondisclosure A petition for nondisclosure is available to people who have completed deferred adjudication probation. If the court grants your petition for nondisclosure, the record is sealed.
In either case, if the court grants your request, you can truthfully deny that you were arrested or prosecuted on job applications, mortgage applications and other legal documents.
Our lawyers will work with you personally to help you determine if you are eligible for expungement or a petition for nondisclosure. We have extensive experience in these matters and can guide you through all of the necessary legal details.