Austin TX Expunctions and Non-Disclosures Lawyer

One simple mistake has the ability to ruin the entire course of your future. Being charged or convicted of a criminal act in Texas is terrifying, but the good news is, you still have options. Even just an arrest has the ability to haunt you for decades. Whether you have been charged with a DWI along East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or petty theft at a mall near Clarksville, an Austin, TX, expunctions and non-disclosures lawyer is here to clear the path for your future.

Work With Rountree Law Firm: A Team You Can Trust

For over a decade, attorney Andrew Rountree sat on the other side of the courtroom, working as a prosecutor. He turned his attention to criminal defense, however, when he saw that the real need came from those who stood accused. He has now made it his mission to fight for the futures of those arrested and charged with crimes in Austin. He understands how even being accused can cause you to experience fear, and he is here to guide you through your case, no matter what.

Understanding What Expunction Is and What It Does in Texas

In a single year, over 14 million criminal offenses are reported to the FBI in the United States. For individuals who are arrested in Austin, there are certain ways they may be able to receive a second chance and move forward. One of these ways is called expunction. Expunctions work to remove records of wrongful charges or arrests when the charge has been dismissed or acquitted. In Texas, the only criminal records that are potentially eligible for expunction include:

• Arrests for a crime that was never actually formally charged
• Charges that were eventually rejected or dismissed
• Felony criminal offenses that were “no billed” by a Grand Jury
• Cases showing a completed pretrial diversion program
• Cases where you successfully complete Drug Court, DWI Court, Mental Health Court, or Veteran’s Court
• Certain juvenile offenses

In order to apply for an expunction, the first step you need to take is to contact an attorney. Your attorney can help determine if the record you wish to have removed is, in fact, eligible. If it is, your attorney can submit an official petition for expunction with the proper court. The court will then set a hearing date and, if expunction is granted, the records will be deleted. It is essential that you only seek expunction with the help of an attorney. Do not attempt to do so yourself.

Expunction can feel like an intimidating process. Call Andrew Rountree for support.

Defining Texas Non-Disclosures

If you do not qualify for an expunction, you may still have certain legal options available. Where an expunction works to correct situations where you were wrongfully arrested, a non-disclosure works to assist first-time offenders or low-level offenders. A non-disclosure order, in basic terms, works to seal a criminal record so that the arrest does not show up on your criminal history in a background check.

In order to be eligible for a non-disclosure, certain prerequisites are required. It is also important to understand that there are certain offenses that will make you ineligible for non-disclosures. These offenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sex offenses, such as rape, sexual assault, molestation, child pornography, sex or human trafficking, and statutory rape
• Family violence offenses, or domestic violence crimes, which are estimated to affect 40.1% of Texas women and 34.9% of Texas men in their lifetime
• Certain DWI or DUI cases
• Convictions for stalking or violating a protective order

It is important that you only seek the possibility of a non-disclosure with the help of an attorney. Not only will you need to show that you have successfully completed all the terms of your deferred adjudication, but you will also need to undergo a certain waiting period before you can officially apply for a non-disclosure action.

The Benefits of Expunction and Non-Disclosures

Many people may wonder what the benefits are of having a record expunged or seeking a non-disclosure. There are numerous reasons why both of these actions can actually offer incredible benefits. Some of these possible benefits include the following:

• Peace of mind. When your record undergoes an expunction or non-disclosure, you are given the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your criminal record is either sealed or cleared. This can allow you a certain sense of closure, and it can allow you to move forward with your life without having to be consistently reminded of your past mistakes.
• Increased eligibility for loans, housing, etc. When an individual with a criminal record undergoes a background check, it can make it more difficult for them to be able to secure necessary loans, find suitable housing, and obtain other important opportunities, such as furthering their education. With an expunction or non-disclosure, you can avoid having certain information come up in your background check in these circumstances.
• Improved employability. Individuals who have a public criminal record see an unemployment rate of around 30% nationwide. This is due to the fact that most employers will conduct a background check as part of their overall hiring process. Having a clean record can offer you the freedom of not having to disclose any of your past mistakes that could impact your chances of getting hired.
• Restored rights. In certain states, including Texas, you can lose your right to vote when convicted of certain crimes. Expunctions and non-disclosure acts may be able to help restore these rights in eligible cases.

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Hire an Expunctions and Non-Disclosures Lawyer Today

If you believe that you should be eligible to have your record expunged or sealed in Austin, you need to take the first step and hire an expunctions and non-disclosures lawyer as soon as possible.

At Rountree Law Firm, our attorneys are here to serve you and represent you in a records sealing or expunction hearing. We understand how easy it can be to make a mistake, and we want to ensure your future remains free and bright. Call 512-262-8080 today to schedule your first consultation.