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Need an Expungement?

Houston Expungement Lawyer Charles Johnson

Can Protect Your Future

A criminal conviction can change your life. Even after you've paid

your debt to society, your criminal record can make it hard to get

your life back. Luckily, most states offer a way to set the record

straight: Expungement.

Houston Record Expungement Defense

Lawyer: The Charles Johnson Law Firm

Expungement is a legal process through which an arrest or

conviction may be erased from a person's criminal record. Below

you will find links to in-depth information on expungement, and

state-specific resources on expungement and criminal records.

Expungement Basics - Introductory information on

expungement and its legal effects.

Eligibility for Expungement - An arrest or conviction usually must meet certain standards in order

to qualify for expungement.

The Expungement Process - A number of steps must be taken before an expungement is granted.

Expungement is Not Always an Option - Expungement is not available in all jurisdictions, and may

not be an option for certain arrests or convictions.

Expungement Basics

Expungement (also called "expunction") is a court-ordered process in which the legal record of an arrest or a

criminal conviction is "sealed," or erased in the eyes of the law. When a conviction is expunged, the process

may also be referred to as "setting aside a criminal conviction." The availability of expungement, and the

procedure for getting an arrest or conviction expunged, will vary according to the state or county in which the

arrest or conviction occurred.

Legal Effect of an Expungement

An expungement ordinarily means that an arrest or conviction is "sealed," or erased from a person's criminal

record for most purposes. After the expungement process is complete, an arrest or a criminal conviction

ordinarily does not need to be disclosed by the person who was arrested or convicted. For example, when

filling out an application for a job or apartment, an applicant whose arrest or conviction has been expunged

does not need to disclose that arrest or conviction.

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In most cases, no record of an expunged arrest or conviction will appear if a potential employer, educational

institution, or other company conducts a public records inspection or background search of an individual's

criminal record.

An expunged arrest or conviction is not necessarily completely erased, in the literal sense of the word. An

expungement will ordinarily be an accessible part of a person's criminal record, viewable by certain

government agencies, including law enforcement and the criminal courts. This limited accessibility is

sometimes referred to as a criminal record being "under seal." In some legal proceedings, such as during

sentencing for any crimes committed after an expungement, or in immigration / deportation proceedings, an

expunged conviction that is "under seal" may still be considered as proof of a prior conviction.

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Expungement Eligibility

When expungement of an arrest or conviction is an option in a state or county, in most instances a person's

criminal record must meet certain standards in order to qualify for the process.

Whether or not a person is eligible for expungement will usually depend on a number of factors, including:

The amount of time that has passed since the arrest or conviction

The severity and nature of the event for which expungement is sought (i.e. a conviction for a sex

offense may lead to a denial of expungement)

Events in the applicant's criminal record (including arrests or convictions in all jurisdictions, not just

the offender's state/county)

The severity and nature of other events in the applicant's criminal record

Special eligibility rules might exist for expungement of arrests or convictions that occurred while the offender

was a juvenile, and arrests or convictions for sex offenses. Pleasecontact the Charles Johnson Law Firm to

discuss your available options.

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The Expungement Process

Where available to persons who have been arrested or convicted, expungement does not happen

automatically, and is never guaranteed. A person seeking to have an arrest or criminal conviction expunged

from their record must usually fill out an application or petition, and submit the paperwork to the proper

criminal court for a judge's review and decision. In most jurisdictions, a fee must be paid in conjunction with

the filing of the application.

The expungement process can be complicated. For example, some jurisdictions require an applicant to deliver

(or "serve") papers on district attorneys, while others require the applicant to prepare the legal document (or

"Order of Expungement") which will be signed by the judge. In some cases, a court hearing is required, after

which a judge will decide whether to grant the expungement.

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The Charles Johnson Law firm can assist you with this complicated process. Call Attorney Johnson now at

(713) 222-7577.

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Expungement is Not Always an Option

It is important to remember that expungement of an arrest and/or a criminal conviction is not an option in all

states and counties (called "jurisdictions"). Depending on the jurisdiction in which the arrest or conviction

occurred:

Expungement may not be available at all

Expungement may be an option for arrests, but not for convictions

Expungement may be an option only for certain criminal convictions

Expungement may be an option only for arrests and/or convictions that occurred while the offender

was a juvenile

Expungement may be available only after a person is acquitted (cleared) of an offense (i.e. charges

are dismissed)

Expungement may be possible only when a criminal conviction is reversed (i.e. after a successful

appeal of the conviction).

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Houston Record Expungement Defense Lawyer:

The Charles Johnson Law Firm

In Texas, criminal record expunction or an action to seal your criminal record can help you move on with your

life. There are many benefits which flow from misdemeanor or felony expunction or record sealing, including

no longer needing to list a prior conviction on a job application or worrying about the possible consequences of

an employer's discovery of your criminal record.

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Houston Lawyer » Record Expungement

Houston Lawyer Charles Johnson can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call us at 713-222-7577 or toll free at 877-308-0100. Major Credit Cards Accepted.

Houston Lawyer Charles Johnson

Solving Problems...Every Day®

http://www.houstonlawyer.com

The Charles Johnson Law Firm 815 Walker Street #1047 Houston, TX 77002

E-Mail: charlesjohnson@houstonlawyer.com

Phone: (713) 222-7577 Toll-Free: (877) 308-0100

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