How much does it cost to get a felony expunged from your record in Texas?
Asked by: Hellen Considine | Last update: March 8, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (44 votes)
The legal fees to research, draft and prepare the lawsuit that will be filed on your behalf to expunge or seal your records can range from $750 to $2,500, again, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the original charges.
How much does it cost to expunge a felony 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.
How hard is it to get a felony expunged in Texas?
This also results a felony conviction. Under current Texas law, a conviction is permanent. It cannot be expunged from your record. The only option you have at this point is a pardon, and these are extremely hard to obtain.
Do I need a lawyer for expungement in Texas?
Most people can file and successfully process their own Texas expungement forms without the assistance of a lawyer. All you need is the proper forms and easy step-by-step instructions to complete your Texas expungement.
What felony convictions can 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 TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps
How to find out if your criminal record has been expunged?
You can contact the court that issued the expungement order to determine if your records have been successfully expunged or sealed.
Does a 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 offenses Cannot be expunged in Texas?
- Murder.
- Manslaughter.
- Sexual Assault of a Child.
- Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Disabled Individual.
- Indecency with a Child.
- An offense involving leaving the scene of a collision if resulting in the death of a person.
How can I get my criminal record expunged for free in Texas?
There are several legal aid organizations that may be able to help you with the process of clearing your record. You may also be able to find assistance at an upcoming legal clinic. The Texas Fair Defense Projects provides free assistance to people who qualify for expunctions or nondisclosure orders.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years in Texas?
The Seven-Year Rule for Criminal Background Checks in Texas
However, if you are found guilty of the crime, you can expect the conviction to continue being reported on your criminal background check for the rest of your life unless you contact a Houston expungement lawyer.
Do felony charges ever go away?
Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
Can I own a gun with an expunged felony in Texas?
State laws only apply to “convicted” felons. This does not include felony convictions the courts have subsequently expunged, pardoned, annulled, invalidated, voided, or sealed. A state or federal judge must have issued these orders for the felon to be able to own a gun.
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.
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 waiting period for felony expungement in Texas?
The timeframe for receiving an expunction is (1) at least 180 days from the date of the arrest for an offense punish- able as a Class C misdemeanor, (2) at least one year from the date of the arrest for an offense punishable as a Class B or A misdemeanor, or (3) at least three years have elapsed for an offense ...
Can I expunge my own record in Texas?
While most convictions cannot be removed from a person's record, Texas law does allow individuals to permanently remove information about an arrest, charge or conviction from their permanent records in certain circumstances. This is called an expunction.
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.
How much does an expungement cost Texas?
In addition to filing and court fees, you should also expect to pay your attorney's fee. The average lawyer's fee for expungement cases in Texas is $1500, but some attorneys charge $3000 or more. We charge a flat fee that begins at $950 for expunction.
Does criminal record clear after 7 years in Texas?
Criminal records remain permanently. It is a fallacy that charges discharge after so long. In Texas, an employer can only 7 years go back on a background check.
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.
Can a felon own a gun after 7 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.
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 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.
Can felonies be expunged?
In short, almost ALL of them! Absent special enumerated statutes that prevent you from filing for a set aside petition, even felonies and strikes are eligible.
What agencies can see expunged records?
- Criminal justice agencies (court administrative jobs, positions with juvenile court or state prisons, police officer jobs)
- Human service agencies (social work positions, probation officer positions, counselors)
- Department of Education (working in a public school)