Expunction – also called expungement – is the process of removing information from your permanent criminal record. This record can show arrests, criminal charges, and convictions to anyone who conducts a background check, and this can impact your job prospects and many other aspects of your life. An expunction can lessen the effects of your criminal record on your future.
Even if you qualify for a Texas expunction procedure, you still need to follow strict procedures to clear your record. You should always seek help from an expunction lawyer in Texas who understands how to navigate the process.
Seeking Your Expunction
After Gilbert G. Garcia determines that you are eligible for an expunction, he can initiate the case on your behalf. Even though expunctions involve your criminal record, the process takes place in civil court, which has different procedures than the criminal justice system.
First, you must file a petition with the court and include all of the necessary information, which includes:
- Your name
- What your charges were
- The circumstances of the alleged offense
- Where and when you were arrested
- The outcome of the case (for example, you were not charged or your charges were dismissed)
- The location of the records you want to have expunged
Records can be held by different agencies, and you must list all relevant agencies to have your records properly destroyed. In addition, agencies have the right to contest the expunction, which can complicate the process.
Use the free eligibility test now to see if you qualify!
When you petition the court for an expunction, you want to get it right the first time and follow all the necessary procedures. It is important to have the help of an experienced Texas expunction attorney.