If your criminal record is keeping you from accomplishing your goals, you may be able to get it sealed or even deleted, giving you a fresh start. Without a black mark on your criminal record, you may find it easier to get a job, rent an apartment, go back to school, join the military, or take out a student loan. An expunction non-disclosure lawyer in Frisco from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help.
Texas allows residents with criminal records to have certain charges and convictions expunged or sealed, making them invisible to anyone who runs a background check. A criminal defense lawyer can review your record and let you know your options. At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg in Frisco, we fight for those who paid their debts and deserve a fresh start to move forward with their lives. For a free consultation, call us today at 214-696-9253.
Expunction vs. Non-Disclosure in Frisco, TX
Expunction and non-disclosure are the two methods by which you can get rid of your criminal record in Frisco, TX. They involve different outcomes, and the nature of your charge or conviction determines which of the two methods is available to you.
Expunction means your record gets wiped clean. The information disappears as if it were never there. This is the most aggressive and complete way to get rid of a criminal record in Texas, but you must meet stringent requirements to qualify.
Non-disclosure is another term for having your record sealed. It does not get rid of your criminal charge or conviction, but it effectively hides it from nearly everyone who might run a background check on you. Once a criminal record is sealed, only certain government employees have access to it going forward.
Getting Your Criminal Record Expunged in Frisco, TX
Expunction is the most aggressive way to remove information from your criminal background in Texas. Once a record gets expunged, it is truly as if it never happened. When filling out job applications and other paperwork, you can legally claim that the arrest or conviction never occurred.
Expunction is only available in highly specific circumstances, such as:
- You got arrested but were never charged by the state;
- A court overturned your criminal conviction;
- A prosecutor or judge dropped your criminal charges;
- You were pardoned for a criminal charge or conviction;
- The crime involved alcohol or another misdemeanor and occurred while you were a juvenile.
If you qualify for an expunction, you typically must wait until the waiting period, which the state statutes establish based on the level of the charge, has expired. In certain cases, though, you could qualify to have your record expunged sooner.
The waiting period ranges from six months after your arrest for a Class C misdemeanor to three years after your arrest for a felony.
Getting Your Criminal Record Sealed in Frisco, TX
Even if you do not qualify for an expunction, you can effectively hide your criminal record from prospective employers, landlords, lenders, and others by getting your criminal record sealed, known in Texas as a non-disclosure order. After a non-disclosure order, you still technically have a criminal record, but it will not show up to any non-government entity that runs your background.
Also, since the information contained in the record is sealed, you can legally deny the event took place in most circumstances, such as when interviewing for a job or applying for housing.
Like with expunction, you must meet specific criteria to qualify for non-disclosure. However, the requirements are much less stringent, making the process available to many more Texans.
The main requirements for non-disclosure in Texas are:
- You were charged with a Class B misdemeanor or less;
- You completed all the terms outlined in your sentence, including probation, community service, deferred adjudication, and paying all fines and court costs.
A new law has also made it possible for certain offenders with a first-offense DWI charge to have their record sealed.
In most cases, you cannot petition the court for non-disclosure if, after getting convicted of the crime in question, you faced subsequent criminal charges. An expunction non-disclosure lawyer in Frisco from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can review your criminal record and go over your options with you. For a free consultation and case evaluation, call 214-696-9253 today.
How a Frisco, TX Expunction and Non-Disclosure Lawyer Can Help You
The team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you in several ways:
Building a Compelling Petition
We handle every aspect of putting together your petition for expunction or non-disclosure, making sure it is thorough and compelling and that it includes all required documentation.
Making It Clear That You Qualify
We make it clear to the courts that you qualify for expunction or non-disclosure. We will appear at your hearing and testify on your behalf, presenting evidence showing that:
- You have satisfied the necessary requirements for expunction or non-disclosure of your criminal charge or conviction;
- You pose no threat to the court system or to the public.
- You deserve another chance to become a contributing member of society and getting a fresh start with an expunged or sealed criminal record gives you the best chance to do that.
For a Free Criminal Record Expunction or Non-Disclosure Case Evaluation, Call 214-696-9253 Today
If your record is keeping you from the future you want, an expunction non-disclosure lawyer in Frisco from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help. Our firm has helped many clients get their records expunged or sealed, giving them a fresh start and a chance to build a successful life and career. For a free consultation and case evaluation in Frisco, call us today at 214-696-9253.
