Can My Texas Criminal Record by Sealed or Expunged?

A Texas criminal record can have life-long effects. From lost employment opportunities to altered relationships with loved ones, there is no area left unaffected. Education is another realm that can be dramatically affected by a conviction history. Many schools vet applicants before admitting them, and scholarships are off-limits to anyone who has committed a crime. If you have recently been burdened with a mark on your Texas criminal record, you may be worried about how your life will be affected. After all, the societal stigma that comes with a record can dramatically affect your quality of life. Fortunately, there is a way to get your criminal record eliminated through certain legal processes.

As a Houston criminal defense attorney, Ned Barnett has years of experience expunging and sealing criminal records. With his help, you can avoid being judged for having committed a crime. Attorney Barnett will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you do what is necessary to have your Texas criminal record eliminated.

Call (713) 222-6767 now to see how you can wipe the slate clean.

Do I Qualify for Having My Criminal Record Expunged?

If your criminal record is expunged or sealed, it will no longer be accessible to the public. This is especially meaningful in Texas, as state laws make it easy to access another person’s criminal record. In most cases, having your record expunged or sealed makes it appear as if you were never arrested or convicted of a crime. A person may qualify for expungement under one of the following circumstances:

• Being charged with a crime and then being acquitted later on
• Being convicted of a crime but being pardoned afterward
• Being arrested but not charged with a crime
• Being convicted of a crime and then being found innocent after the case is reopened
• Having your charges dismissed in certain situations

What about Having My Record Sealed?

If you do not qualify for an expungement, it may be possible to have your record sealed. A criminal record is sealed through a court order of nondisclosure. Simply put, this means that criminal justice agencies will be legally forbidden from disclosing your criminal record to the public. Your record will be hidden from family, potential employers, and anyone else that would otherwise be able to access your conviction history. In order to qualify for a court order of nondisclosure, you must have successfully completed a deferred adjudication probation and meet certain other requirements.

Let Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Ned Barnett Protect Your Record

If you have a criminal record, you may not know how you will survive. Maybe you were fired from your job after your employer found out about your record, or perhaps the relationships with your loved ones have been irreparably damaged. In any case, you need strong legal representation to make these roadblocks temporary.

A Houston criminal defense attorney with the Law Offices of Ned Barnett can ensure that your case is presented in the best possible light. He will use the knowledge and resources at his disposal to make it clear that your Texas criminal record should be expunged or sealed.

Call (713) 222-6767 for a free and confidential consultation to see how your conviction history can be eliminated.