Expungement in Texas

Expungement in Texas is a legal process through which individuals to seek erasure of an event from their criminal records.

Texas expungement law allows expungement of arrests which did not lead to a finding of guilt, and class C misdemeanors if the defendant received deferred adjudication, and completed a community supervision. If the defendant was found guilty, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to any offense other than a class "C" misdemeanor, it is not eligible for expungement; however, it may be eligible for non-disclosure if deferred adjudication was granted.

The Texas Young Lawyers Association and State Bar of Texas provide an informational packet about expungement as a service to the public.

Juvenile offenses potentially eligible for expungement include "misdemeanor[s] punishable by fine committed prior to the age of 17, [offenses] committed by [minors] under the Alcoholic Beverage Code and [convictions] for Failure to Attend School" under the Education Code. Disqualifying factors can include multiple convictions and insufficient age.

The release, dissemination or use of expunged records by any agency is prohibited. Unless being questioned under oath, the defendant may deny the occurrence of the arrest and expungement order. If questioned under oath, the witness may only respond the matter was expunged.

The 76th Texas Legislature rejected a bill that would have expanded access to expungement. The 78th Texas Legislature failed to gain consensus for HB-384, which would have granted automatic expungement in the cases of acquittal, pardoning, or upon dropping of charges. The 82nd Texas Legislature's passing of HB-351 and SB-462 reformed the expungement code to include relief for those convicted but later determined to be innocent.

Those ineligible for expungement may still seek an Order of Nondisclosure under some circumstances.

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