SEALING YOUR RECORD
Home : Practice Areas : Sealing Your Record
Houston Criminal Defense Attorney
Affordable Houston Criminal Defense
by an Experienced Trial Lawyer
713-623-4828
Attorney Representation in Houston, Texas Since 1989
SEALING YOUR RECORD
The Petition for Non-Disclosure of Criminal History, also popularly known as “Sealing the Record,” is available for individuals who were placed on Deferred Adjudication Community Supervision and successfully completed the program and their case was dismissed. The Judge must determine if the non-disclosure is in “the best interest of justice.”
Prior Offenses
The individual may petition the Court regardless of whether the person has been previously placed on Deferred Adjudication for another offense.
Disqualification
An individual who was granted Deferred Adjudication and successfully completed it will be disqualified from sealing their record if the individual committed any of the following offenses:
1. Indecency With A Child
2. Sexual Assault / Aggravated Sexual Assault
3. Any type of Family Violence
4. Stalking
5. Violation of Protective Order
6. Abandonment or Endangering a Child
7. Injury to Child or Elderly
8. Murder / Capital Murder
9. Kidnaping
10. Pornography
11. Burglary of Habitation with Intent to Commit a Sexual Offense.
Waiting Periods
For most misdemeanors the individual may petition the Court immediately upon completion of Community Supervision. For a number of other misdemeanors, the wait is two (2) years from the successful discharge of the Community Supervision.
For felonies the individual may petition the Court after five (5) years from the dismissal/discharge of Community Supervision.
Disclosure of Criminal History
Regardless if the individual receives the non-disclosure there are numerous state and federal agencies that will still be able to gain access to the individual’s criminal record history. This situation is mainly associated with licensing, background and government employment screenings.
Attorney Practice Areas:
- Criminal Defense
- CPS Investigation
- Assault - Family Member
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Indecency with a Child
- Aggravated Assault
- Drug Crimes
- Capital Murder
- Hate Crimes
- Juvenile Offenses
- Robbery
- Weapons and Gun Charges
- Drunk Driving (DWI)
- Immigration Consequences
- Weapon Definitions
- Driving with a Suspended License (DWLS)
- Expunction of Criminal Records
- Probation
- Forgery
- Theft
- Injury to a Child
- Elder Abuse
- Burglary
- Sex Offenses
- Bail Bonds
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Parole Violations
- Sealing Your Record
- Criminal Mischief
- Prohibited Weapons
- Homicide
- White Collar Crime
Don't take chances with the fate of your future. Contact my Houston Criminal Defense law firm today for a consultation and see how affordable quality representation can be.
Alan Cohen
Attorney At Law
2425 West Loop South, Suite 200; Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 623-4828 E-Mail Fax: (713) 297-8864
