The experience of an arrest can have long-term negative affects on your personal life and professional career.Even if you were acquitted, your case was dismissed or you completed deferred adjudication, records of the accusation, arrest and charge may be accessible to anyone doing a background check.This information can affect your ability to gain meaningful employment, possess a firearm, or even find housing for you and your family.Our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys have experience with the legal processes that are used to clear criminal records:
expunction order
An expunction order (also known as an expungement) is an order from a court to destroy all records pertaining to a particular charge or arrest. This order should get sent to any agency, whether public of private, that may contain any records about the matter. This type of order allows you to deny that you were arrested or charged!
A misdemeanor charge can be expunged if you were found not guilty, or the charges were dismissed. Felonies can also be expunged in certain instances. Expunction is the only way to have these fully erased from your record for all employment and governmental purposes.
PETITION FOR NON-DISCLOSURE
An order of nondisclosure is not the same as an expunction order. This type of order hides an offense from the public by ordering that it not be disclosed. Non-disclosure orders are available to people who successfully complete a particular type of probation called deferred-adjudication.
A major difference between a nondisclosure order and an expunction order is that with nondisclosure orders the records are not destroyed, but rather, kept from public view. Only law enforcement and certain other governmental agencies can have access to the records, and the case may be used against you for enhancement of future charges. Still, friends and employers will not be able to see the charge or arrest, thereby protecting your background.
CONTACT US TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN HELP CLEAN YOUR RECORD
In order to know if you qualify for expunction or a non-disclosure order, it is necessary to speak with an experienced attorney.Our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help determine if an expunction order or a petition for non-disclosure is available for your particular circumstances.
Our society is becoming increasingly less forgiving, and more people get arrested today than ever before. The internet and other technologies have made it easy for law enforcement, employers, and even friends to access your criminal background. You need to protect your name. Expunctions and petitions for nondisclosure can be your opportunity to clear your criminal record.
At Hawkins & Walker PC, our mission is to provide clients with quality legal services and personalized attention. We offer affordable prices and payment plans in some cases. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys, please contact us today.
Free Initial Consultation — it costs you nothing to talk to our attorneys about your case.
The lawyers of Hawkins & Walker, PC represent clients throughout North Texas, including the cities of Fort Worth (Ft Worth), Dallas, Arlington, Aledo, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Burleson, Cleburne, Colleyville, Crowley, Dalworthington Gardens, Denton, Euless, Everman, Forest Hill, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Irving, Keller, Kennedale, Lake Worth, Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Southlake, Watuaga, Weatherford, Westworth Village and White Settlement regarding cases involving personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, sexual abuse, sexual assaults, construction injuries, construction falls, occupational injuries, slip and falls, wrongful death, fatality, severe injuries, paralization, mental damage, defective products, animal attacks, dog attacks, dangerous premises, negligent conduct, criminal law, misdemeanor, felony, expungment, non-disclosure, traffic tickets, family law, divorces, modifications, adoptions, child support, child custody, business disputes and deceptive trade practices
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