FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Expungement is a legal process that effectively erases your criminal record, making it as though the arrest, criminal conviction or charge never occurred. In Texas, an expungement is called an Expunction.

Record sealing, unlike expungement, doesn't erase the record. Instead, it hides it from public view, making it accessible only under specific circumstances, such as by court order.  In Texas, a record seal is called an Order of Nondisclosure. 

The process involves filing a petition for expunction with the court, serving the petition to all involved agencies, and attending a hearing.

The process can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of your case and the court's schedule.

As a general rule, it costs more to expunge a felony than a misdemeanor. The expungement of a felony will customarily cost $1,500 to $2,500 or even more. Misdemeanors can usually be expunged for $1,000. 

At Erase Yo Record, our 10-step guide that allows you expunge or seal your criminal record yourself is only a small fraction of this cost, and you get so much more. See our guide by clicking here.

YES! A successful expungement will remove your record from public databases, making it inaccessible during background checks.

While sealed records are hidden from public view, certain entities like law enforcement, licensing agencies, and courts can still access them.

NO! Based on Texas law, you can expunge or seal your record “pro se.”  "Pro Se" refers to a person who represent their own case without an attorney or lawyer. It is not mandatory to hire an attorney or lawyer. Everything you need to file your expungement or sealing paperwork is in our 10-step guide.

With an expunged record, you can confidently claim you have not been convicted of a crime, enhancing employment prospects. 

Purchase our 10 Step Do-It-Yourself Erase Your Criminal Record Digital Interactive Guide, which contains all the necessary steps, forms, petitions, orders, checklists and instructions required to ERASE your own arrest or criminal record. 

Expungement effectively erases your criminal record, thereby restoring your rights, including voting and firearms rights.

Yes, you can expunge multiple records, but each case must meet the expungement eligibility criteria independently. 

In Harris County, Texas, there are ten types of Orders of Nondisclosure:

1. Section 411.072: "Automatic" nondisclosure for deferred adjudication for certain nonviolent misdemeanors. This section only applies to a person who receives a discharge and dismissal on or after September 1, 2017.

2. Section 411.0725: Nondisclosures for deferred adjudication for felonies and misdemeanors that do not qualify under Section 411.072.

3. Section 411.0726: Nondisclosures for DWI (driving or boating while intoxicated) misdemeanors with deferred adjudication (no conviction). This was new as of September 1, 2019.

4. Section 411.0727: Nondisclosures for successful completion of Veterans Treatment Court Program.

5. Section 411.0728: Nondisclosures for certain victims of trafficking of persons.

6. Section 411.0729: Nondisclosures for completing a veterans reemployment program. This was new as of September 1, 2019.

7. Section 411.073: Nondisclosures for probation (community supervision) following a misdemeanor conviction.

8. Section 411.0731: Nondisclosures for probation (community supervision) following a DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction.

9. Section 411.0735: Nondisclosures for misdemeanor convictions with jail time.

10. Section 411.0736: Nondisclosures for DWI (driving while intoxicated) convictions.

Typically, if a record has been expunged, it will not show up on an FBI background check. Expungement effectively erases the record as though the event never occurred, making it inaccessible via public records inspections, including those performed by the FBI.

Arrests, Charges or Convictions do not “CLEAR” after 7 years. This is a common misconception. In Texas, they remain on your record forever, unless you get them expunged or sealed.