how can i expunge my record without a lawyer in harris county

by Emerson Yost 3 min read

If the grand jury no billed your case, however, you have the immediate right to get your case expunged. Once your case is expunged, neither the public nor law enforcement has access to your record. In Harris County, a Petition for Expunction is filed in the civil district courts.

Full Answer

Can I expunge my criminal record without a lawyer?

0. Cart. (877) 573-7273. A division of. (877) 573-7273. In Harris County, expunging or sealing your criminal record is the first step to a better future. Top-Rated Expungement Attorneys. 12,000+ Cases Granted and Counting. We Gladly Price Match.

How do I get my criminal record expunged?

How can i get my record expunged in harris county? Lawyer directory. Find a lawyer near you. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. Find the best ones near you. ... Start with your legal issue to find the right lawyer for you. Choose an area of law that your issue relates to: Bankruptcy and debt; Business; Car accident; Civil rights;

Can I get my record expunged in New York or Illinois?

If your identity was used by someone without your consent, who was arrested and charged with an offense, you are eligible to have the record expunged. You Must: u Contact the local District Attorney’s Office u consent to be fingerprinted u sign a …

Does it cost money to have your record expunged in Texas?

Mar 05, 2019 · What You Need. Generally, to begin the legal process for expunging or sealing your records, you’ll need your copy of the criminal record, including written documentation of the arrest and/or the conviction you're hoping to expunge. If you don’t have yours, it’s usually available through the arresting agency.

Can I file for expungement without a lawyer in Texas?

Most people can file and successfully process their own Texas expungement forms without the assistance of a lawyer. All you need is the proper forms and easy step-by-step instructions to complete your Texas expungement.

How do I expunge my record in Harris County?

It will be your responsibility to complete your forms (unless you decide to hire an attorney). There are three documents that will need to be prepared in pursuing your expunction: 1) Petition for expunction, 2) Order setting hearing, and 3) Final order of expunction.Jan 8, 2019

How do I file a motion for expungement in Texas?

The first step in gaining an expunction is to file a Petition for Expunction with the district court requesting that the court grant an Order for Expunction. A basic form for both the Petition for Expunction and Order for Expunction are included at the end of this pamphlet.

Who qualifies for expungement in Texas?

You must have been arrested, you must not have been convicted or served probation, and the charge that you want to be expunged must have been a misdemeanor or a felony. If you meet these three requirements, expunction is an option you should absolutely consider before proceeding with your criminal case.

How do you get a felony expunged in Texas?

File the Application for Expunction in the arresting county, along with a fingerprint card from the Department of Public Safety. The clerk will notify DPS and set a court hearing no earlier than 30 days from the date of filing. Effect of Expunction: An Order of Expunction removes the entry from your criminal record.Jun 29, 2021

What is the meaning of Expunction?

Expunction is the act or process of expunging something—erasing, deleting, crossing out, or destroying it. Expunction is especially used in the context of law, in which it refers to the removal of an arrest or conviction from a person's public criminal record.

How long does it take to expunge a record in Texas?

In most instances, it takes about 30 days to schedule a hearing date after the petition for expunction is filed. The entire process usually takes from four to six weeks. If the court grants an expungement, it usually takes up to 180 days for local, state, and federal agencies to destroy their records.Jun 20, 2018

How much does it cost to expunge your record in Texas?

How Much Will It Cost to Expunge My Criminal Record in Texas? As a general rule, it costs more to expunge a felony than a misdemeanor. The expungement of a felony will customarily cost a minimum of $1,000, but may cost upwards of $2,500 or even more. Misdemeanors can usually be expunged for $1,000 or less.

What felonies Cannot be expunged in Texas?

Most offenses that involve children, sexual assault, and violent acts are not eligible for record sealing in Texas. Also, offenders with a DWI, Driving While Intoxicated, (PC 49.04-49.08) are not eligible to have their offense sealed from their criminal record.

What crimes can be expunged in Texas?

Specifically, you may be able to get misdemeanor or felony records expunged in Texas if:
  • The felony charge was dropped or dismissed without action;
  • You went to trial and were acquitted of the offense;
  • You were convicted of the charge, but later found to be innocent by a court; or.
  • You were pardoned of the offense.
Apr 15, 2020

How do I get my record sealed in Texas?

Can I Seal My Texas Criminal Record? In Texas, if you want to seal your criminal record, you will need to seek an order of nondisclosure. As mentioned above, an order of nondisclosure prohibits law enforcement or courts from disclosing your criminal record related to the order.

How do I file a nondisclosure petition in Texas?

In order to obtain an order of nondisclosure, you must first file a petition for an order of nondisclosure with the proper court. The petition is to be filed with the clerk of the court that handled the offense for which you were placed on deferred adjudication.

How to get your record expunged?

Generally, to begin the legal process for expunging or sealing your records, you’ll need your copy of the criminal record, including written documentation of the arrest and/or the conviction you're hoping to expunge. If you don’t have yours, it’s usually available through the arresting agency. To file, go to the clerk of the court in the appropriate jurisdiction, pay the required fees, and submit the petition and required documentation to request a hearing before a judge. Some jurisdictions allow you to mail this paperwork to the court via certified mail. The clerk will schedule a hearing and provide you with written documentation of the date and time.

How to file a petition for a hearing before a judge?

To file, go to the clerk of the court in the appropriate jurisdiction, pay the required fees, and submit the petition and required documentation to request a hearing before a judge. Some jurisdictions allow you to mail this paperwork to the court via certified mail.

Can you expunge a conviction?

Expunging an arrest or conviction from your record is a lengthy and state-specific process. Many states, such as New Jersey and Illinois, try to make it easier by providing step-by-step guidance for moving through the process without a lawyer. Other states, like North Carolina, offer free tutoring clinics to low-income persons who can’t afford an attorney. If you feel you need further help but can’t afford an attorney, local legal aid societies can direct you to lawyers in your area who offer legal services for free or at a reduced fee.

Can a court clerk give legal advice?

The court clerk or website for the court in the county where you were arrested can often direct you to information about necessary qualifications, as well as the appropriate forms and filing process. The clerk cannot give you legal advice regarding your case.

Can you seal your criminal record without an attorney?

The method varies by state, but many jurisdictions have enacted procedures that make it easier to proceed without an attorney. Some states even provide free clinics to help guide you through the process.

Who do you send copies of your hearing notice to?

You are also required to send copies of your paperwork and the scheduled hearing notice to several state and county agencies, such as the county prosecutor’s office. This step is time sensitive since these agencies must have advance notice of your hearing date.

Can you get your record expunged in New York?

Some states, like North Carolina, give you a once-in-a-lifetime chance of removing a misdemeanor charge if you weren’t convicted or were under the age of 21 at the time of your arrest. New York doesn’t allow you to expunge your record, but you may qualify to have it sealed. Illinois provides worksheets you can complete to determine whether you’re eligible to have your records expunged or sealed.

How to file an expungement petition?

Go to Court on Your Own Schedule. Once your expungement petition (lawsuit) is drafted, you can go to court to file it during their normal operating hours. The court clerk will give you a confirmation document, forward your case to the prosecutor, and assign a hearing date. See Plan Details.

How long does it take to get an expungement hearing?

If the Judge grants your expunction, you still have to file the documents with the court clerk. Overall, the process can take several hours.

What is expungement in criminal law?

Legally known as expunction, e xpungement is a legal procedure that, if successfully completed, allows an individual to completely destroy any records of a prior criminal offense. This allows charges that were dismissed, acquitted, or resolved through pretrial diversion to be destroyed.

What happens if you are not eligible for court relief?

If you apply for relief from the court and are not eligible, you could lose several hundred dollars in filing fees (and a lot of time).

Can you get a job with an arrest record?

Having an arrest record can make it seriously difficult to get a new job, mortgage approval, rent an apartment, get a credit card, or obtain or keep a professional license.

Can you see your sealed charges?

This means that if you apply for a job at private company, a loan, or an apartment, those businesses will not be able to see your sealed charges.

Can a criminal case change a person forever?

In my years representing all sorts of people (young and old, male and female, etc.) who have been accused of committing a crime here in Texas, I have come to understand the complexities of criminal law — not just in the practice of law, but in all the ways that a single criminal case can impact a person and their loved ones. One criminal matter can change a person’s life forever — and permanently alter the lives of their parents, kids, spouses, family and friends.

Is it fair to wipe someone's criminal record?

Criminal records can follow you the rest of your life, and while many will assert that’s how it should be, there are many instances where wiping someone’s slate clean is the fair thing to do — it’s not sneaky or wrong. In fact, expungement of criminal records has been approved and provided for by the Texas legislature and the Texas courts.

Is it legal to erase a criminal record in Texas?

In fact, expungement of criminal records has been approved and provided for by the Texas legislature and the Texas courts. It’s legal in Texas to clear or erase or seal your past criminal record in many situations and it’s not that hard to do. Thing is: it costs money to do it, more often than not, because a lawyer is usually hired to handle ...

1 attorney answer

Laws vary from state to state and the process to have a conviction expunged is legislatively created. The process is not overly complicated, however, it is very specific as to what you need to do. If you don't get the correct forms or don't get all of the appropriate parties properly and timely served the court will deny your request.

Ronald S. Pichlik

Laws vary from state to state and the process to have a conviction expunged is legislatively created. The process is not overly complicated, however, it is very specific as to what you need to do. If you don't get the correct forms or don't get all of the appropriate parties properly and timely served the court will deny your request.

What happens if you don't have contact information for a hearing?

If you receive notice of a hearing, you must be present or your case may be dismissed. You must be prepared to present your case. Have your evidence and witnesses ready.

How to show respect to court?

To show respect to the court, please dress appropriately. No casual clothing such as shorts, flip-flops, tank tops or hats. While in the courtroom, you must abide by the rules. Make sure your cell phone is on silent, do not bring children with you, and remain silent while waiting for your case.

Can a judge give legal advice?

The information on this website is not a substitute for, and does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. The District Clerk’s Office (DCO), nor the judge, court staff or opposing counsel can give you legal advice or assist you in the preparation of your documents.

Can you represent yourself in Texas?

You should know the Texas Rules of Evidence, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or Texas Rules of Criminal Procedure, Harris County Local Rules and the Lawyer’s Creed. You can only represent yourself. It is illegal to represent another person.

Can you file a motion electronically in Texas?

Electronic filing. In the State of Texas, you are able to file pleadings and motions electronically or by written document. Everything you file must be also sent to the opposing attorney in a timely manner. Click here for a presentation about how to electronically file documents pertaining to civil cases.