What is the waiting period for felony expungement in Texas?
Asked by: Braulio Price DVM | Last update: November 23, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (48 votes)
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 ...
How long after a felony can you get it expunged in Texas?
However, if you were charged with a felony, you must wait at least three years to file a petition for expunction. Yet, some crimes require a longer waiting period for expungement. The following types of charges typically have a longer waiting period for expungement: Murder.
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.
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.
What disqualifies you for an expungement in Texas?
So, if you pled guilty or no contest, if you were found guilty at trial, or if you were placed on community supervision during a period of deferred adjudication, you are generally not eligible for expunction.
📝HOW TO EXPUNGE FELONY CRIMINAL RECORD || 5 Steps
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.
Can I file for expungement without a lawyer 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.
Do it yourself expungement in Texas?
You can initiate the process of seeking an expunction of your record by filing a petition with the court that originally handled your case or charge. Once you have filed the petition, the clerk will notify all of the interested parties and schedule a hearing on the petition.
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.
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.
Does a felony show up on a background check after 7 years in Texas?
While arrests that did not lead to convictions are generally not reported after seven years, convictions can appear indefinitely. Employers can consider convictions relevant to the job's responsibilities.
What is the 7 year rule in Texas?
Texas law provides some protections to job applicants by prohibiting reports conducted by consumer reporting agencies to include criminal history information older than 7 years in their reports. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act provides similar protections. However, there are some exceptions to this “7-year” rule.
What is the second chance bill in Texas?
What Is Texas' Second Chance Law? The Texas DWI Second Chance Law, officially known as House Bill 3016, went into effect on September 1, 2017. It allows certain first-time offenders convicted of a DWI offense to petition the court for non-disclosure of their criminal records under specific conditions.
Do felonies stay on your record forever?
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. You can face serious obstacles until you get the conviction removed from your criminal history.
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.
What is the second chance for felons in Texas?
In Texas, certain types of first-time, low-level offenders are given this second chance at a fresh start. This helps them to obtain employment without their record being a part of their application. Once you have met all of your obligations under the law, Texas's "Second Chance Law" allows you to move on.
Can a 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.
How to check expungement status?
The best way to find out if this has happened is to go to the Court where your case was at and ask to see the documents. If they do not have them the case was expunged and some private company has the records and provided them when the background check was done.
Can you expunge a felony in the United States?
States have their own laws outlining which crimes are eligible for expungement. Some states only allow misdemeanors and misdemeanor convictions to be expunged. Other states allow the expungement of felony convictions, except for serious or violent crimes. Most felonies, in general, are difficult to expunge.
What is the waiting period for 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 file for expungement without a lawyer?
You can do it yourself, but it is better to hire a lawyer. You want it done right the first time, and the process can be confusing for laypeople. It's best to hire a professional to do the work for you.
How much does it cost to expunge a felony in Texas?
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.
Can FBI see expunged records in Texas?
Expunged records will not appear on most background checks, as they are legally destroyed. Sealed records, however, may still be visible to certain government agencies, though they are hidden from public access, including standard employment checks.
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.
Who can see my expunged record in Texas?
Understanding the Law and Expungement in Texas
However, the documents are still there and can be opened with a court order. And, with nondisclosure, law enforcement agencies and all Texas professional licensing agencies will still see the records.