Can a felony 3 be expunged in Texas?

Asked by: Ulices Donnelly  |  Last update: June 26, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (6 votes)

With limited exceptions, a person cannot get a criminal record expunged if they were convicted of a felony, one of the many consequences of a felony conviction. Most offenses that involve children, sexual assault, and violent acts such as criminal assault, are not eligible for record sealing in Texas.

Can a 3rd degree felony be expunged in Texas?

Texas expunction may apply to either a felony or misdemeanor offense in which you were acquitted at trial, the case was dismissed, you were pardoned, or the State never formally charged you with a crime.

Can a Class 3 felony be reduced in Texas?

Can a Third Degree Felony be Reduced in Texas? Yes, getting convicted of a 3rd degree felony charge can be reduced. Your lawyer can help you find underlying holes in the prosecutor's case against you during the plea bargain. For eg, the evidence could have been collected illegally, or the arrest wasn't made properly.

Can a felony 3 be expunged?

California Law

For example, in California, felony convictions can only be expunged if: no time was served in state prison, felony probation was successfully completed, and. you are not currently facing criminal charges, on probation, or serving another sentence.

How serious is 3rd degree felony in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code Section 12.34, a third degree felony is punishable by: Imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 2 to 10 years. This means that if you are sentenced to prison time, your minimum term of imprisonment will be 2 years. A fine of up to $10,000.

Who is Eligible for Expungement in Texas?

36 related questions found

Is a 3rd degree felony the worst?

In criminal law, a first-degree offense is the worst felony. It's worse than a second-degree offense, which is worse than a third-degree offense, and so on. So the higher the degree, the lesser the crime.

How much time does a 3rd degree felony carry in Texas?

Third Degree Felony Punishment – Texas Penal Code § 12.34

If a person is found guilty of a 3rd Degree Felony in Texas, then the person can be sent to prison (Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division) for 2 years to 10 years. The person can also be fined up to $10,000.

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?

Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.

What is considered a felony 3?

Third-degree felonies are the least serious of these and carry up to five years' imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. (Habitual felony offenders may face mandatory minimums and higher maximums.) Rioting, grand theft of a firearm, and possession of burglary tools are examples.

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

Some people have the misconception that their criminal record will “clear” after a period of 7 years. This is a misnomer. Although your criminal record does not automatically clear after 7 years, you can take steps to have your case expunged or your record sealed.

What is the 3 felony rule in Texas?

Strike Three

If you have two prior felony convictions of any degree (except a state-jail felony) and you are subsequently convicted of another felony of any degree (other than a state-jail felony), you can be sentenced to imprisonment for life or for a period of 25–99 years.

What are the odds of getting a felony dropped?

Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there's a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too. Of course, there's no way to know for sure. That's why you need to depend on a strong and experienced San Marcos, TX criminal defense attorney.

Can a felony be dropped in Texas?

Fortunately, being charged with a felony does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. In fact, your charges may be dismissed or dropped before your trial even begins. Judges can dismiss a case either on the motion of the defendant or on their own motion. In most cases, though, the prosecution will drop the charges.

What cases cannot be expunged in Texas?

What cases cannot be expunged in Texas?
  • DWI.
  • Criminal homicide, manslaughter, or murder.
  • Sex crimes.
  • Domestic violence.
  • Aggravated assault.
  • Aggravated robbery.

How much does it cost to get a felony expunged from 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.

Can you be a police officer with a expunged felony in Texas?

Applicants must not have been dismissed or resigned in lieu of dismissal from employment for inefficiency or misconduct. Expungements. Under Texas law expungements are not accepted on convictions, even if the sentence was probation. Expungements from another state must meet the same standards as Texas law.

How bad is a third degree felony in Texas?

A third-degree felony is a serious charge in the state of Texas. A conviction can land you in jail for up to ten years. If you've been charged with a third-degree felony, there is no time to be idle.

What's worse felony 1 or 3?

While it may seem a bit backwards to some people, the lower the degree of an offense (1st Degree, 2nd Degree, or 3rd Degree), the more serious charges. Likewise the higher the degree (4th Degree or 5th Degree) means the offense is of a less serious nature.

Can you get probation for a 3rd degree felony in Texas?

Probation is an option for people convicted of a third degree felony. In Texas, this is also known as community supervision. It is different from parole, which requires there to be time served in jail.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Texas?

How long do felonies stay on your record in Texas? Under Texas law, criminal charges including felonies and misdemeanors stay on your record permanently. This is true even if the charges were dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you successfully completed deferred adjudication.

What is the 7 year rule?

The 7 year rule

No tax is due on any gifts you give if you live for 7 years after giving them - unless the gift is part of a trust. This is known as the 7 year rule.

What is a red flag on a background check?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

Can you travel with a 3rd degree felony?

People with felony convictions are generally eligible for passports or visas, depending on their circumstances. If you're a US citizen, you can apply for a passport even while your felony conviction is still pending. You should have no problem if your sentence has been completed or dismissed (including probation).

What is the most common felony in Texas?

These are the most common felony offenses:
  • Abandoning/Endangering a Child.
  • Aggravated Assault.
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault.
  • Aggravated Robbery.
  • Assault Bodily Injury Family Member.
  • Burglary of a Habitation.
  • Concealed Handgun Violation.
  • Counterfeiting.

Can a felon carry a gun after 10 years in Texas?

Section 46.04 of the Texas Penal Code makes it illegal for someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. If more than 5 years have passed since completing their prison sentence (including parole or probation), the law allows possessing a firearm at home. Federal law does not contain that exception.