Dallas Expungement Lawyer
» Print This PageClear Your Criminal Record and Take Control of Your Future
A criminal record can define your life in ways you never expected.
Even if you were never convicted, that arrest from years ago still shows up every time a potential employer runs a background check.
It appears when you apply for housing.
It surfaces when you seek a professional license.
Every time you try to move forward, your past keeps pulling you back.
The consequences of carrying a criminal record in Texas are severe.
Employers routinely reject applicants with any criminal history, regardless of whether the case resulted in a conviction.
Landlords deny housing applications based on old arrests that never led to charges.
Banks view criminal records as red flags when processing loan applications.
Professional licensing boards can deny credentials based on criminal history.
Many people assume that if their case was dismissed, their charges were dropped, or they completed deferred adjudication probation, their criminal record simply disappears.
This is not how Texas law works.
Without taking proper legal action, those records remain accessible to anyone who searches for them.
They continue to affect your employment opportunities and housing options indefinitely.
The good news is that Texas law provides pathways to have certain criminal records expunged or sealed through nondisclosure orders.
However, the expungement process involves strict eligibility requirements, mandatory waiting periods, and precise legal procedures.
Filing the wrong paperwork, missing deadlines, or failing to meet eligibility criteria can result in your petition being denied.
Working with an experienced Dallas expungement lawyer ensures you understand your options and pursue the correct path to clearing your criminal record.
How Michael Lowe Can Help You Clear Your Criminal Record
When you want your criminal record expunged in Dallas, you need more than just paperwork filed with the court.
You need a criminal defense attorney who understands the complexities of Texas expungement laws and can determine the best strategy for your specific situation.
Michael Lowe provides comprehensive legal support for clients seeking to have their records cleared.
Eligibility Evaluation
The first step in any expungement case is determining whether you qualify under Texas law.
Michael Lowe reviews your complete criminal history, examines the details of your case, and identifies whether you are eligible for an expunction or a nondisclosure order.
He explains your options clearly so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Expunction Petitions
An expunction completely erases your criminal record as if the arrest never occurred.
Michael Lowe prepares and files expunction petitions for clients whose charges were dismissed, who were acquitted at trial, who received pardons, or who meet other eligibility requirements under Texas law.
Nondisclosure Orders
If you completed deferred adjudication probation, you may qualify to have your record sealed through a nondisclosure order.
Michael Lowe handles petitions for nondisclosure, ensuring that qualifying criminal records are hidden from public view and most background checks.
Deferred Adjudication Cases
Many clients completed deferred adjudication probation believing their cases would automatically disappear from their records.
Michael Lowe helps these individuals understand their options and pursue nondisclosure orders to seal eligible records from public access.
Court Representation
Some expungement and nondisclosure petitions require court hearings where prosecutors may object to clearing your record.
Michael Lowe represents clients at these hearings and presents compelling arguments for why the petition should be granted.
Record Analysis
Before pursuing any action, Michael Lowe obtains and analyzes your complete criminal history to identify all records that may be eligible for expunction or sealing.
This thorough approach ensures no eligible records are overlooked.
How Expungement and Nondisclosure Works In Texas
Texas provides two primary methods for clearing criminal records, and understanding the difference is essential.
An expunction permanently destroys all records related to an arrest, including files held by law enforcement agencies, courts, and other government entities.
Once your record is expunged, you can legally deny that the arrest ever occurred.
A nondisclosure order seals your record from public view but does not destroy it.
Private employers, landlords, and the general public cannot see sealed records, though certain government agencies retain access.
Expunctions are available in limited circumstances under Texas law.
You may be eligible if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted at trial, you received a pardon, you were arrested but never charged, or someone used your identity during an arrest.
Nondisclosure orders are available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication probation for eligible offenses.
Certain crimes, including family violence offenses and those requiring sex offender registration, are never eligible for nondisclosure.
Waiting periods apply to both expunctions and nondisclosure orders.
Class C misdemeanors have shorter waiting periods than Class A or B misdemeanors, while felonies require the longest waiting periods before a petition can be filed.
Why Michael Lowe Is the Right Lawyer to Help You
Michael Lowe has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2007, a distinction held by fewer than ten percent of Texas attorneys.
He established his practice in 2003 after working as a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
This experience on both sides of the criminal justice system gives him unique insight into how expungement and nondisclosure cases are evaluated.
Michael Lowe helps qualified clients clear their criminal records so they can pursue employment opportunities, secure housing, and move forward without past mistakes following them.
Get the Fresh Start You Need Today
Your criminal record affects every aspect of your life, from employment and housing to personal relationships and professional opportunities.
Every day that passes with that record intact is another day of limited options.
Texas law provides the opportunity to clear eligible records, but only if you take action.
Michael Lowe offers free consultations to evaluate your situation and explain your options for clearing your criminal record.
Contact the Law Offices of Michael Lowe today for a free consultation to discuss your expungement or nondisclosure case.
Take the first step toward putting your past behind you and reclaiming your future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Expungement
What is the difference between expungement and nondisclosure in Texas?
Expungement completely destroys all records related to an arrest, allowing you to legally deny the incident ever happened. Nondisclosure seals your record from public access but does not destroy it, meaning law enforcement and certain government agencies can still view the information while private employers and landlords cannot.
Can I get my criminal record expunged if I was convicted?
No, you cannot expunge a conviction in Texas. Expunctions are only available when there was no conviction, such as when charges were dismissed, you were acquitted, or you received a pardon. If you were convicted but placed on regular probation, your record cannot be expunged or sealed.
Am I eligible for a nondisclosure order after completing deferred adjudication?
Many people who successfully completed deferred adjudication probation are eligible for nondisclosure orders to seal their records. However, certain offenses including family violence crimes and those requiring sex offender registration are permanently ineligible. An experienced Dallas expungement attorney can review your case to determine eligibility.
How long does the expungement process take in Texas?
The expungement process typically takes three to six months from filing the petition to receiving a court order. After the court grants an expunction, agencies have additional time to destroy their records. The total time for complete record clearance can extend to six months or longer.
What is the waiting period to file for expunction or nondisclosure?
Waiting periods vary based on the offense classification and outcome. For dismissed cases, Class C misdemeanors require 180 days, Class A and B misdemeanors require one year, and felonies require three years. Nondisclosure waiting periods range from immediate eligibility for some misdemeanors to two years for certain offenses and five years for felonies.
How much does an expungement cost in Texas?
The cost of expungement includes court filing fees and attorney fees. Filing fees typically range from several hundred dollars depending on the county. Attorney fees vary based on case complexity. Michael Lowe offers free consultations to discuss your case and provide information about costs specific to your situation.
Can I expunge a deferred adjudication from my record?
Deferred adjudication cannot be expunged except for Class C misdemeanors. However, if you successfully completed deferred adjudication probation for an eligible offense, you can petition for a nondisclosure order to seal your record from public view.
Will an expunged record show up on a background check?
No, an expunged record should not appear on background checks. Once an expunction is granted, all records are destroyed and you can legally deny the arrest occurred. A sealed record through nondisclosure will not appear on most private background checks but remains visible to law enforcement.
Do I need a lawyer to file for expungement?
While you can technically file an expungement petition yourself, the process involves complex legal requirements and strict procedures. Errors in paperwork or failing to meet eligibility requirements can result in denial. Working with a criminal defense attorney who handles expungement cases increases your chances of a successful outcome.
