Nondisclosure & Expunctions

Dallas Nondisclosure and Expunction Lawyers

A criminal arrest can affect you long after your case has been resolved. Even though you were never convicted, a record of your arrest will show up in a background check. As a result, you might have difficulty obtaining a job, being admitted to the college of your choice or even renting an apartment. At the law office of Peter Barrett in Dallas, Texas, we offer a free attorney consultation to evaluate whether your criminal record can be sealed or cleared through nondisclosure or the expunction process.

When you can seek nondisclosure of your criminal record

Texas now offers deferred adjudication for many nonviolent offenses, such as drug possession and theft charges. Under deferred adjudication, you will receive probation instead of a jail sentence. If you successfully complete the probation, the charges against you will be dismissed. Through the process of nondisclosure, you can even seal the fact that you were arrested.

Nondisclosure seals your arrest records from the public. This means that employers, landlords and most other people conducting background checks won't see your criminal records. However, your arrest record will remain visible to law enforcement and some governmental entities.

Many nonviolent crimes can be sealed through the nondisclosure process. However, violent crimes, sex crimes and DWI cannot.

When you can seek expunction of your criminal record

If you have been charged with a crime but the charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty, you can have your criminal arrest record cleared or expunged through the expunction process. You can also seek an expunction in Texas if you are pardoned by the governor.

In Texas, an expunction clears your record as if the arrest never happened.

Free attorney consultation: To discuss expunction or nondisclosure of your criminal record with a Dallas defense lawyer, call 214.526.0555, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or fill out our simple contact form.