Austin Expungement Attorneys
Compassionate Legal Advocacy in Austin & San Antonio
A criminal record can have lasting consequences, making it harder to secure employment, find housing, or move forward with your life. Even after serving your sentence, the stigma of a conviction can continue to hold you back. However, depending on the circumstances, you may have legal options to clear or seal your record, giving you a fresh start.
At Peek Law Group, our Austin expungement and post-conviction relief lawyers are dedicated to helping individuals in Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties, as well as throughout Texas, overcome the challenges of a past conviction. With nearly 500 five-star client reviews and a track record of successfully handling tens of thousands of cases, we know how to navigate Texas expungement laws and fight for your second chance. Our Board Certified criminal defense lawyers bring strategic, results-driven representation to every case, ensuring you receive the highest level of legal advocacy.
We assist with record expungements, orders of nondisclosure, and early probation releases, working tirelessly to find creative and effective legal solutions tailored to your situation. With two convenient Austin locations and a bilingual legal team, we provide clear communication and seamless guidance throughout the legal process.
Your past doesn’t have to define your future. Call (512) 474-4445 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation with our experienced Austin criminal defense attorneys at Peek Law Group today.
If you are in need of post-conviction relief, do not hesitate to contact us online or call (512)-474-4445. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.
What are Record Expungements?
Having any trace of a criminal record can lead to a flagged background check and limit your future opportunities. In some cases, you can file to expunge certain types of criminal records. To expunge an arrest or conviction means to eliminate it entirely from your record.
In Texas, you can potentially secure an expungement for:
- Convictions where you were subsequently pardoned
- Convictions where you subsequently determined to be innocent
- Charges where you were ultimately acquitted
- Arrests where you were ultimately not charged
- Charges where you were indicted but the case was ultimately dismissed or expired due to the statute of limitations
If you were arrested but not charged, you cannot immediately request an expungement. You must first wait a specified amount of time before the record can be expunged. The duration of the wait will depend on the severity of the offense you were originally arrested for.
If you were arrested but not charged and wish to expunge the record, you must wait:
- 180 days for Class C misdemeanors
- 1 year for Class A and B misdemeanors
- 3 years for felonies
If your loved one passed away with a criminal record, they can also qualify for post-humous expungement if they meet any of the above conditions. An immediate relative can make the request. Our San Antonio & Austin post-conviction relief attorneys can guide you through this process and work to secure the appropriate expungements as efficiently as possible.
What are Orders of Nondisclosure?
You will not be able to expunge certain types of convictions from your record, but you can potentially “seal” them. An order of nondisclosure prevents public, government entities from sharing information about your conviction. As a result, details of the offense will in most cases no longer appear on criminal background checks.
In Texas, you can request an order of nondisclosure for most misdemeanor convictions once certain requirements are met. If the sentence consisted only of a fine, there is no waiting period, and you can generally request an order immediately once the fine has been paid. In other situations, you must wait at least 2 years from the date you complete all elements of your sentence before you can request relief.
You may also be able to seal more serious convictions, including felonies and serious misdemeanors, if you pled guilty or no contest and completed deferred adjudication community supervision. If you were convicted of a felony, you must also wait at least 5 years before making the request. If convicted of a serious misdemeanor, you must wait at least 2 years.
Certain types of crimes cannot be sealed in Texas, including:
- Murder
- Family violence-related offenses
- Stalking
- Sex crimes that require the convicted individual to register as a sex offender
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Human trafficking
- Any offense that causes injury to a child, disabled person, or elderly person
Expungement vs. Nondisclosure: Understanding the Key Differences
If you have a criminal record in Texas, you can either expunge or seal it through an order of nondisclosure. While both legal remedies can help improve your future opportunities, they serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements.
- Expungement (or expunction) is the complete removal and destruction of a criminal record. When a record is expunged, it is as if the arrest or charge never happened—it will no longer appear on background checks, and you are legally allowed to deny its existence in most situations.What is an Order of Nondisclosure?
- An order of nondisclosure seals a criminal record from public access but does not erase it.Government agencies and law enforcement can still see the record, but private employers, landlords, and the general public cannot.
|
Feature
|
Expungement
|
Order of Nondisclosure
|
| Effect on Record |
Permanently erases the record |
Seals the record from public view |
| Who Can See It? |
No one – record is destroyed |
Law enforcement and certain agencies |
| Who Qualifies? |
Acquittals, dismissed cases, pardons, no charges filed |
Deferred adjudication or certain misdemeanor convictions |
| Waiting Period? |
Varies by offense |
Typically 2–5 years |
| Can You Deny It Happened? |
Yes, legally you can say it never occurred |
No, law enforcement and courts still have access |
It is the best option if you qualify for expungement because it completely removes the record. However, if expungement is unavailable, an order of nondisclosure can still help protect your privacy and improve job and housing opportunities.
Our experienced Austin expungement and nondisclosure attorneys at Peek Law Group can evaluate your case and determine the best legal path to expunge or seal your record.
Call (512) 474-4445 or complete our online form to schedule a confidential consultation today!
What are the Benefits of Expungements and Non-disclosures in Texas?
A criminal record can impact your future, even if you were never convicted. Having an arrest or conviction on your record can affect job opportunities, housing, financial aid, and personal reputation. Fortunately, Texas law allows specific individuals to clear or seal their records through expungement or nondisclosure, providing a second chance at a fresh start.
That includes:
- Better Employment Opportunities
Many employers conduct criminal background checks during the hiring process. A past arrest or conviction—even for a minor offense—can make it harder to get a job or advance in your career. Expungement removes the record entirely, meaning it won’t show up on background checks, and you can legally state that the arrest or charge never occurred. Nondisclosure seals the record from public view, preventing private employers from accessing it.
- Improved Housing and Rental Options
Landlords and property managers often screen applicants for criminal records. Even if the charge is dismissed, a prior arrest or conviction could make it difficult to secure rental housing. With an expungement, your record is erased, eliminating the issue. An order of nondisclosure prevents private landlords from seeing your record, increasing your chances of being approved for housing.
- Restoring Your Reputation and Privacy
A criminal record can follow you for years, affecting how you are perceived in personal and professional settings. Expunging or sealing your record helps restore your reputation, credibility, and peace of mind.
- Eligibility for Professional Licenses
Specific careers—such as those in healthcare, law, finance, real estate, and education—require professional licenses, and a criminal record can prevent you from obtaining or renewing one. Expungement removes the record entirely, making you eligible for licensing without restriction. Nondisclosure helps by hiding the record from public licensing boards, though some agencies (such as law enforcement) may still have access.
- Easier Access to Education and Financial Aid
Some colleges, universities, and scholarship programs consider criminal history in admission and financial aid decisions. Having your record expunged or sealed can remove barriers to higher education and financial assistance.
A criminal record sometimes restricts your right to own or purchase a firearm. If eligible, expungement may restore certain rights, depending on the nature of the charge and the specific circumstances.
- Eliminating the Stigma of a Criminal Record
Even if you were never convicted, having an arrest on your record can carry a social stigma. An expungement removes any trace of the arrest, while nondisclosure prevents most people from seeing it, helping you move forward without unnecessary judgment.
At Peek Law Group, we have helped hundreds of clients in Austin, Travis County, Hays County, and Williamson County clear their records and reclaim their futures. Our Board-Certified criminal defense attorneys will assess your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Call (512) 474-4445 or complete our online form today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward a clean slate.
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What are Early Releases from Probation?
When you are convicted, a judge may decide to order probation instead of incarceration. This allows you to remain in the community so long as you consistently meet specific requirements. Maintaining those requirements can be burdensome, however.
In certain situations, securing an early release from probation may be possible. To do so, you must generally complete at least two years or one-third of your probationary period, whichever is less. You must also have paid all fines associated with the probation and be in good standing with the judge and probation officer. In many cases, whether to grant an early release is subject to the judge’s discretion. Note that you cannot request an early release from probation if you have been convicted of certain types of crimes, including some sex crimes.
Our Austin post-conviction relief lawyers will do everything possible to help you obtain an early release from probation. Our team at Peek Law Group understands how judges think about and review these cases and can work to build a persuasive argument that puts you in the best possible position.
Contact Our Skilled Expungement Lawyers in Austin, Texas Today
Your past shouldn’t define your future. Whether you’re seeking expungement or an order of nondisclosure, clearing your record can open doors to better job opportunities, housing, financial aid, and a restored reputation. At Peek Law Group, our experienced Austin expungement attorneys have helped countless clients in Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties move forward with confidence.
Don’t let a criminal record hold you back any longer. Call (512) 474-4445 or complete our online form today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward a fresh start.
Explore your post-conviction relief options by contacting us online or calling (512)-474-4445 today. Payment plans are available.
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