Texas Expungement

Texas Expungement Attorney — Flat-Fee Record Clearing

Texas offers two distinct forms of relief: expunction, which physically destroys arrest and prosecution records, and nondisclosure, which seals eligible conviction records from public view. Understanding which remedy applies to your situation is the critical first step, and our team handles both processes across all Texas counties.

Quick Answer

Texas allows expungement of eligible criminal records under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55A (Expunction); Texas Government Code § 411.074 et seq. (Nondisclosure). The typical timeframe is 6–12 months from filing to court order. Eligibility depends on conviction type, completion of sentence, and waiting period requirements. Fresh Start Expungement coordinates the filing process at a flat fee of $10,000 per record.

Who Qualifies in Texas

Eligibility Requirements

Each case is evaluated individually. The criteria below reflect the general statutory requirements. Your case will be reviewed in detail before any filing.

  • Expunction is available if your arrest did not result in a conviction — for example, charges were dismissed, you were acquitted at trial, you completed a pre-trial diversion program, or the statute of limitations expired without an indictment being filed.

  • Expunction is also available for certain misdemeanor offenses where the defendant successfully completed deferred adjudication probation and the applicable waiting period has elapsed.

  • Nondisclosure (order of nondisclosure) is available for many offenses where the defendant completed deferred adjudication community supervision and has satisfied the mandatory waiting period, which ranges from immediate eligibility to five years after discharge depending on the offense.

  • For nondisclosure of misdemeanors completed through deferred adjudication, no waiting period applies to many offenses, while Class A and B misdemeanors require a two-year waiting period after discharge before you may petition.

  • Felony deferred adjudication cases require a five-year waiting period after discharge from community supervision before an order of nondisclosure may be sought.

  • You must not have been previously convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for an offense that disqualifies you, including most violent offenses, family violence offenses, and sex offenses requiring registration.

Important exceptions: Convictions obtained after a trial or guilty plea (as opposed to deferred adjudication) generally cannot be expunged or sealed in Texas. Family violence offenses are expressly excluded from nondisclosure eligibility under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code. Offenses requiring sex offender registration and aggravated offenses are ineligible for both expunction and nondisclosure in most circumstances.

How It Works

The Texas Process

1

We conduct a full criminal history review through the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify every arrest and disposition record, then determine whether expunction or nondisclosure is the appropriate remedy and confirm that all waiting periods and eligibility criteria are met.

2

For expunction, we file a petition in the district court of the county where the arrest occurred, notify all relevant agencies including DPS, the arresting agency, and any prosecuting offices, and attend the hearing at which the court orders all agencies to return or destroy their records.

3

For nondisclosure, we prepare the petition and proposed order for the court that handled the original deferred adjudication, serve the prosecutor's office, and obtain the signed order directing DPS to seal the record from public criminal history databases while retaining access for law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.

Typical Timeframe

6–12 Months

Legal Reference

Governing Statute

The primary legal authority governing expungement in Texas is Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55A (Expunction); Texas Government Code § 411.074 et seq. (Nondisclosure). This page was last reviewed on January 15, 2025.

State laws change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Texas for guidance specific to your case. Fresh Start Expungement provides document preparation services, not legal representation.

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About this service

Fresh Start Expungement is a record-clearing services provider, not a law firm. We coordinate document preparation and filing for individuals seeking expungement. We do not provide legal advice or attorney representation. Complex or contested matters may require independent legal counsel.

Results disclosure

Results are not guaranteed. Eligibility and outcomes depend on state law, conviction type, court approval, and individual case circumstances. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

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