Austin Expunction Lawyer

Everyday people are arrested in Austin, Texas only to later have the charges "dropped," dismissed or to be found not guilty. Many people are surprised to find out that although their criminal case was "dropped," dismissed, or they were given deferred adjudication, evidence and records of their criminal arrest remain on their criminal record and are considered public information.  This means that even though you may have not been convicted of the criminal offense, the records of your arrest and that fact that you faced criminal charges are still available for public view. 

Expunging Criminal Records in Austin

When someone is arrested in Austin, Texas, they are taken to the Travis County Jail where their booking photo and finger prints are taken, creating both a paper and electronic trail of records of the arrest and criminal charge. During the course of a criminal case, these records can pass through court, county and law enforcement records. These records are public and can be discovered by future employers, college and graduate school admissions offices, landlords, and the general public.  These same criminal records are often purchased and traded by private companies for profit and public view. The good news is that you may be able to have your criminal record erased or sealed under certain circumstances. The procedure to erase criminal records in Texas is called an expunction. The process of sealing your criminal record in Texas is non-disclosure.

Whether you were arrested for public intoxication on 6^th Street, Driving While Intoxicated or for a felony, you should consider speaking with an Austin expunction lawyer to see if your criminal record can be expunged or sealed.

Effect of an Expunction

The effect of an expunction in Texas is far reaching.  If your expunction petition is granted, a Court is essentially ordering that all records of your arrest be "expunged," destroyed or erased.  Furthermore, you may legally deny the existence of the arrest and the existence of the expunction order itself.  It is as if the arrest never happened. However, there is an exception: if you are questioned in a criminal proceeding, you may not deny the arrest, but you may say that the matter in question has been expunged.

Is My Case Eligible For Expunction?

To discuss your eligibility for a criminal records expunction or for an order of nondisclosure, contact Austin criminal defense lawyer Kevin Bennett for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation by calling (512) 476-4626 or by email.