Expunctions
An expunction is a lawsuit asking a court to enter an order that all law enforcement agencies with any records of a person's arrest, (or criminal charges) erase, delete or destroy those records. It is intended to remove all records in the hands of law enforcement agencies concerning criminal charges. However, an expunction cannot reach records in the hands of private businesses. Law enforcement agencies maintain records and databases containing these records. These records are created upon an arrest or when charges are formally filed against a person. The agencies that usually keep these records include the police agency, the sheriff's department, the court and court clerk's office, the prosecuting agency, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Many of these records are available to the general public, and with computers and the Internet, have become easily accessible.

If you are eligible for an expunction, we strongly encourage you to obtain one. Employers are increasingly doing background checks. Apartment complexes are rejecting applications because of criminal records. Criminal records can even effect professional licensing. Aliens may face adverse immigration consequences. Additionally, with computer terminals now common in police vehicles, a traffic stop will likely reveal to the stopping officer any prior record. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the laws on expunction will remain the same, and what may be expungeable now, may not be so in the years ahead. The point is not to lose an opportunity. Therefore, if you or a loved one has any sort of criminal record contact us so that we can see if it is expugnable.