Having a criminal record can negatively impact your life – preventing you from obtaining certain types of jobs, renting an apartment, securing a mortgage, getting into college, and other serious ramifications. However, there may be cases where you can get your criminal record expunged.
When a criminal record is expunged, your record is erased, giving you a clean slate in the public eye. However, it is essential to understand that only specific types of crimes are eligible for expungement.
If you are trying to erase a criminal record, it is strongly advised that you speak with a Grapevine expungement lawyer about your case. Our criminal defense attorneys can review your past arrests or charges to determine whether you may be eligible to seek expungement. If eligible, our team can file the petition for expunction and work to achieve a favorable ruling from the court.
What Charges Can Be Expunged?
There is a limited number of criminal offenses that may be eligible for expungement in Grapevine. Both misdemeanors and felonies may be expunged, depending on the exact charge involved. (See Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 55.01.)
You might be eligible for an expunction if:
- Your case was dismissed;
- Your case was no billed by the grand jury;
- You were found not-guilty at trial;
- Your case was resolved as a Class C deferred, and you successfully completed the deferred period.
To find out of you are eligible for an expunction for a Tarrant County offense, contact our Grapevine expunction lawyers.
Even if you are not eligible for an expunction (which is a complete destruction of the criminal record associated with an arrest), you may be eligible for a sealing of your record through the nondisclosure process.
The nondisclosure process allows certain criminal histories to be concealed from public view, but does not destroy them entirely as particular government bodies may still access them.
Beyond whether you qualify for an expunction or nondisclosure, our attorneys can also tell you when you are eligible to apply. Depending on whether you are seeking an expunction or nondisclosure, you will have to wait for the statute of limitations or statutory waiting period to run in most cases. There are also exceptions where you might be able to apply for an expunction immediately.
Crimes That May Not Be Expunged in Grapevine
If your case resulted in a conviction, you will not be eligible for an expunction. Similarly, even if your case was resolved favorably, the lack of a statute of limitations may prevent you from getting a complete expunction in certain cases. Determining whether or not you are eligible for an expunction can be a complex question. Contact our attorneys to determine your eligibility for an expunction in north Texas.
Get Help from a Grapevine Expungement Attorney
If you are wanting to initiate the expunction process, you should first discuss your eligibility with a Grapevine expungement lawyer. Filing for or obtaining expungement can take several months and involves a fairly lengthy petition process. Our office provides an entirely free consultation to evaluate your prospective case if you want to learn more about getting a criminal record expunged or sealed. Speak with a member of our legal team by calling Varghese Summersett today.
