Can you be a police officer with a expunged felony in Texas?
Asked by: Percival Gottlieb | Last update: November 17, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (5 votes)
Unstable employment history. 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.
Can you become a cop if you get your record expunged in Texas?
Expungement usually results in removing a conviction from the public record, but the record and more importantly the fact that you committed the offense remains. So in this case, no, you do not qualify for law enforcement employment.
What disqualifies you from being a police officer in Texas?
Commission of a detected or undetected serious crime as an adult, which constitutes a felony, domestic violence, Class A misdemeanor, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, repeated misdemeanor offenses, or a crime involving violence that occurred within 10 years prior to the submission of the application will ...
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Texas?
Answer: The information is not supposed to appear on a background check; however it still may by mistake. If it does, TREC will ask you to provide a copy of the Order of Expungment or Non-disclosure and upon receipt will not consider that offense in determining a person's fitness for licensure.
How long does it take for an expungement to come off your record in Texas?
In most cases, you can expect to wait 30-90 days to schedule the hearing date after you file this petition. The entire process can take up to six months to complete. Once the court grants your expungement, however, it may take agencies up to 6 months to destroy records complete.
Police Jobs : How to Become a Police Officer With a Felony
Can local police see expunged records?
Courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice agencies can access expunged records for future criminal investigations and charging and sentencing decisions.
Can a felon become a police officer in Texas?
Disqualifications. Any of the following will disqualify an applicant from further consideration at any stage of the Police Officer application process: Having a conviction for, being under indictment for, or currently charged with any felony offense.
Is a pardon better than an expungement?
Unlike expungement, a pardon does not erase a criminal record. Instead, it is a formal forgiveness for the crime, relieving the individual from the legal consequences associated with the conviction.
What states allow felons to become police officers?
According to the analysis, zero states or cities have police union agreements that prohibit felons from becoming law enforcement officers as of December 2023.
What is the main reason police officer job applicants are rejected?
Addictive behavior that could reflect poorly on the Police Department or illustrate bad judgment on the part of the applicant. For example: drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, gambling. Legal inability to own or possess a firearm, (for police officer candidates). Illegal drugs.
What are the requirements to become a police officer in Texas?
- Be a citizen of the United States or have Permanent Resident status.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a clean criminal record from misdemeanor and federal crimes.
- Have a valid Texas driver's license of current Class “C” status.
- Have no trace of drug dependency.
What disqualifies you from joining the police academy?
Any felony convictions as a juvenile or an adult, and any misdemeanor domestic violence convictions; will automatically disqualify an applicant amongst other factors. For specifics you can contact the recruiting and backgrounds unit.
Does criminal record clear after 7 years in Texas?
There is a common myth that criminal charges are automatically removed after 7 years, however, this is simply not true.
What are the benefits of expungement in Texas?
By expunging your record, you can truthfully state that you have not been arrested or convicted, thus improving your chances of obtaining employment. An expunction can also have a profound impact on your housing options.
How long is the police academy in Texas?
The Dallas Police Basic Training Academy is located at 5310 Redbird Center Drive, Dallas, Texas, 75237. The Basic Training Academy consists of 40 weeks of training with a total of 1400 hours of instruction.
What is the difference between a pardon and an expungement in Texas?
A person with expunged records can claim they do not have a criminal conviction on their record. Someone with a pardon is forgiven but still carries a criminal record. Seeking an expungement is common for people convicted of low-level offenses, especially for juveniles or young offenders.
What is the difference between vacated and expunged?
While you can than legally say that you've never been convicted of a crime, you cannot say that you've never been charged with a crime. And while the conviction has been vacated, it is still open to the public. Expungement refers to the removal of this non-conviction data from state patrol records.
Can a felon get a job as a police officer?
Given the power law enforcement wields, background checks are a necessary fact of life for anyone who wants to be a cop. A felony arrest probably won't be a dealbreaker. If it led to a conviction, however, the odds against you landing a job are steep. Depending on circumstances, you may be able to beat the odds.
What kind of gun can a felon own in Texas?
Texas law says no, but it contains an exception. 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.
Can police see expunged records in Texas?
No. Police cannot see expunged records. However, law enforcement and government agencies may still access records that have been sealed through nondisclosure.
Can the FBI see my expunged record?
Expunged records can, in some cases, appear on FBI background checks, especially those conducted by law enforcement or certain government entities.. While expungement is meant to remove or restrict access to criminal records, the effectiveness of the process varies by jurisdiction.
Do expunged records show up on nics?
Expungement does not remove your case from this federal database. That means anyone who is able to run your fingerprints through the NCIC database could still find your expunged criminal record.