This is the first post in a series which will discuss the benefits which Laredo, Texas residents can gain from the process of record sealing or expunction. A permanent criminal record can result in the inability to obtain employment, housing, loans, and many professional licenses. However, residents may not be aware of the fact that the state of Texas provides several methods for clearing your prior criminal history. Perhaps you want to “expunge” a criminal charge or arrest record after an acquittal or petition the court for an “order of nondisclosure” after successfully completing a deferred adjudication. These mechanisms allow you to potentially eliminate many of the issues associated with a criminal history. The goal of this series is to provide information which will help those dealing with this situation understand the expunction process. If you need assistance, contact our office today to speak with a lawyer.
We will be addressing a number of topics over our coming articles. Issues which we will analyze include:
- The benefits of clearing one’s record
- Potential eligibility for expunction
- The process for sealing or expunging a record
- The benefits of hiring an attorney to assist with this process
These are important topics for our residents to understand for several reasons. First, clearing one’s criminal history opens up a number of opportunities. A properly expunged record will effectively remove the history from public view. This is especially helpful to those seeking employment. Second, whether or not you are eligible to have your record sealed or expunged will depend on the circumstances of your particular case. It is important to have an understanding of the eligibility requirements before you decide to begin the process. Third, grasping the expunction process will help to make it go more smoothly. Lastly, it is crucial that you hire an attorney to assist you in moving forward. A lawyer that is knowledgeable about the process can help to ensure that your Petition goes through the system without any complications.
One point that we cannot stress enough is how important it is that you begin the expunction process immediately. Having your record sealed can be a lengthy process and arduous ordeal. These petitions are fact-intensive and even a small error can result in one having to start the process over from the beginning. Further, you want to ensure that you have other options in the event that you are terminated or laid off from your current job. Joey Tellez is a Laredo criminal defense lawyer handling such matters. Contact our office today to discuss your options.