It’s time for a clean slate! Don’t let your past mistakes determine your future. Contact Attorney John Nix to see if you meet the requirements for sealing or expunging your criminal record.
Expungement – Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have your criminal record expunged?
Expunge your records in Texas. Expunge your records in Oklahoma.
Expunction is the process of having arrests and criminal charges removed from your record. Criminal history records can play a role when applying for a job, gaining a professional license, and can even impact your credit score.
When am I eligible for a Texas or Oklahoma expungement?
You may be eligible to erase your criminal record through expungement if:
✔️ Your arrest did not result in a criminal charge
✔️ You were found not guilty by a judge or a jury
✔️ Your criminal record exists because someone misrepresented themselves as you ( identity theft)
✔️ You have pleaded guilty to a Class C misdemeanor alcohol crime such as public intoxication
✔️ A grand jury “no billed” an indictment against you
✔️ You complied with the terms of deferred adjudication for a Class C misdemeanor
If you are ineligible for expungement, you may still be eligible to seal records related to the offense through an Order of Nondisclosure. The Order of Nondisclosure process is not guaranteed and is always subject to a judge’s discretion.
What’s the difference between an expunction and an Order of Nondisclosure?
Both procedures attempt to clean up criminal history records, but the qualifications for eligibility are different for each. In Texas and Oklahoma, expunction can permanently remove entries from an adult criminal history record. Nondisclosures, on the other hand, hide certain offenses from public disclosure. Also known as record sealing, an Order of Nondisclosure prevents the public from viewing your criminal record. However, your criminal record will remain visible to criminal justice agencies, licensing agencies, and certain government entities.
Eligibility depends on the type of offense and type of community supervision. Texas has two types of community supervision: deferred adjudication and regular community supervision (probation). Offenses ending in conviction or regular community supervision are never eligible for expunction but may be eligible for nondisclosure. If you have completed Deferred Adjudication for a misdemeanor or felony, you may be eligible for an Order of Non-Disclosure.
How long does expungement take?
Based on the nature of the alleged offense, certain prescribed waiting times required by statute may exist. The sooner you begin the expungement process, the sooner you can put any marks on your record behind you and move on.
How much does an expungement cost?
The Law Office of John H. Nix charges a flat fee for criminal record expungement and record sealing in Texas and Oklahoma. Contact us today to discuss your case.
TEXAS EXPUNGEMENT & RECORD SEAL: Use the Fresh Start app to see if you may be eligible for an expunction or nondisclosure order.
OKLAHOMA EXPUNGEMENT & RECORD SEAL: To see if you qualify for expungement in Oklahoma, refer to Oklahoma Statutes Title 22 § 18 & Title 22 § 19; Title 22 § 991c.
RESOURCES
This free, anonymous, interactive tool from Georgetown University Law Center helps you determine whether or not you qualify for an expunction or nondisclosure order.
Clear or seal your record? Expunctions vs. Nondisclosures in Texas (TexasLawHelp.org)
This article from Texas Law Help explains the differences between expunctions and nondisclosure orders under Texas law and explains the basic procedures for filing for both processes.
An Overview of Orders of Nondisclosure (2022) [PDF]
This overview of orders of nondisclosure from the Office of Court Administration provides background information as well as a series of questions that can help you determine if you qualify for a nondisclosure order. It was last updated in February 2022 to reflect recent changes in the law.
Expunction of Criminal History Record Information & Related Issues
This information page from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety explains how the agency handles expunctions and nondisclosure orders. It also provides information about the sealing of juvenile records.
Expunctions and Orders of Nondisclosure
UT Austin’s Legal Services for Students provides a good overview of expunctions and nondisclosure orders. They explain who is eligible for either of these procedures in a manner that is easy to understand.
This brochure, published by the Texas Young Lawyers Association, explains both expunctions and nondisclosure orders in Texas.
This article originally appeared in the Texas Bar Journal and is publicly available on the Texas Bar website. It provides a great, easy-to-understand summary of expunctions and nondisclosure orders in Texas.
Sealing Juvenile Court Records in Texas [PDF]
This booklet from the Texas Foster Youth Justice Program provides information and sample forms regarding the sealing of juvenile records.
Crimes That Can Be Expunged in Texas
An explanation of who qualifies for expunction and how the process works.
