Houston Expungement Lawyers

Trey Porter | Last Reviewed: July 2026

Trey Porter Law expunges criminal records and obtains orders of nondisclosure in Houston. The firm represents people seeking to clear arrest records, dismissed cases, and other qualifying criminal records in Harris County District Courts.

Houston expungement attorney Trey Porter has more than 15 years of experience handling Texas record-clearing matters, applying Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code, and oversees the firm’s Houston docket. 

The firm has earned more than 900 five-star reviews across Google and Avvo.

Trey Porter Law has obtained expunctions and nondisclosures in contested hearings over opposition from prosecutors and Texas Department of Public Safety attorneys, including in Harris County cases.

In Texas, a dismissed charge or not-guilty verdict does not automatically clear your record. A court order is required. Whether the arrest happened in Midtown, Montrose, The Heights, Pasadena, or out in Channelview, expunction petitions are filed in a Harris County District Court in downtown Houston.

Houston Expungement Experience

Trey Porter Law is located at 700 Milam St #1300, Houston, TX 77002, in the iconic Pennzoil Place in downtown Houston.

The firm handles record-clearing matters from eligibility analysis through final orders. The expungement lawyers at Trey Porter Law review the final outcome, confirm the correct legal remedy, prepare the petition, and handle hearings with prosecutors and Texas DPS lawyers.

• Dual-Attorney Review: Two lawyers review every petition before filing.
• Eligibility Experience: The firm has analyzed more than 2,000 Texas criminal records for expunction and nondisclosure eligibility.
• Contested Hearing Experience: Trey Porter Law has won expunction and nondisclosure relief in contested hearings against prosecutors and Texas Department of Public Safety attorneys.

Trey Porter Law handles expunction and nondisclosure matters arising from criminal charges across Greater Houston, filing petitions in Harris County District Courts, working with the Harris County District Clerk, and dealing directly with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and other local prosecutors in Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Baytown, and Missouri City.

Criminal Records Cleared in Houston

Trey Porter Law handles expunction and nondisclosure matters for a wide range of charges in Harris County, including:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Drug possession and controlled substance offenses
• Theft and property offenses
• Assault
• Public Intoxication
• Other qualifying misdemeanor and felony charges

Houston Expungement Attorney Trey Porter

Trey Porter leads the firm’s Houston expunction and nondisclosure matters. He is licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas to practice in Texas District, County, Municipal, and Justice courts statewide. Trey Porter has more than 15 years of experience handling Texas record-clearing cases, including eligibility analysis, petition drafting, and contested hearings in Harris County and across Texas.

Trey Porter has obtained expunction orders after dismissals, acquittals, and other qualifying outcomes under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. He has secured nondisclosure orders for eligible misdemeanor and felony cases under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code.

Professional Licensing and Record Clearing

Trey Porter has specific experience helping nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals in private practices and at major Houston employers including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Methodist, and Texas Children’s Hospital utilize expunction and nondisclosure relief to address disclosure issues for employers, insurance, and the Texas Board of Nursing and Texas Medical Board.

DWI Offense Record Clearing

A DWI arrest or conviction does not automatically disqualify a record from being cleared. Dismissed DWI charges and not-guilty verdicts can qualify for expunction under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Certain first-time DWI convictions may qualify for record sealing under the Second Chance Law — Texas Government Code § 411.0731 — if the BAC was under 0.15, no accident involved another person, and no prior criminal history exists.

Trey Porter has specific experience evaluating DWI records for expunction and nondisclosure eligibility and has cleared DWI records for clients in Harris County courts.

Publications, Recognition, and Memberships

Trey Porter has written and advocated for record clearing and restorative justice in Houston and across Texas. His work and legal analysis have appeared in Forbes, USA Today, and Attorney at Law Magazine. He has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers and holds a 10.0 Justia rating.

Trey Porter’s active professional memberships include:

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
• Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA)
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA)

Can A Criminal Record Be Expunged In Houston?

Yes. A criminal record can be expunged in Houston when the case ends without a final criminal conviction, such as a dismissal, no bill, not-guilty verdict, or an arrest that never leads to formal charges.

Cases dismissed after deferred adjudication generally cannot be expunged in Texas, but they may qualify for an order of nondisclosure instead.

Trey Porter Law offers free, same-day expunction eligibility reviews. The firm obtains case records from the Harris County Clerk, Harris County District Clerk, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, evaluates eligibility under Chapter 55A, and provides a clear breakdown of what can be done, how long the process may take, and what it will cost.

---

Is It Better To Have Your Record Sealed Or Expunged?

It is better to have a criminal record expunged. Expunction permanently destroys eligible criminal records, including arrest records, court records, and related criminal history record information, under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Record sealing, called an order of nondisclosure in Texas, is governed by Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code. Nondisclosure seals criminal history record information from many private employers and background check companies, but it does not destroy the record. Courts, law enforcement agencies, and certain state agencies can still access sealed records.

Many cases that do not qualify for expunction may still qualify for nondisclosure, including some cases that ended in deferred adjudication, depending on the offense, waiting period, and other Chapter 411 eligibility rules.

A Harris County criminal case may qualify for expunction or nondisclosure depending on how the case ended.

---

Who Qualifies For Expungement In Houston?

You may qualify for expungement in Houston if the case arose in Harris County, the required waiting periods have passed, and the charge did not result in a final criminal conviction. Cases resolved through deferred adjudication generally cannot be expunged, but they may qualify for nondisclosure instead.

Some of the most common situations that may qualify for expunction under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure include:

• Cases resolved through pretrial diversion
• Arrests that never resulted in formal charges
• Dismissals following a motion to suppress
• Not guilty verdicts at trial
• No bills returned by a Harris County grand jury
• Dismissals before trial, including missing‑witness situations

---

Do Mugshots Get Expunged?

Yes. Mugshots are removed from official government sources when an Order of Expunction is granted. Law enforcement agencies — including the Houston Police Department (HPD), the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and Texas DPS — are required to delete the mugshot and all related arrest and criminal records so they do not come up on background checks.

An expunction order applies to the government agencies and officials named in the order. It does not automatically force private third-party mugshot websites or data brokers to remove records or photos without separate notice, compliance, or enforcement efforts.

---

What Criminal Charges Can Be Expunged In Houston?

Almost any misdemeanor or felony can be expunged in Houston if the case qualifies under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A. Expunction eligibility depends on how the case ended, not the name of the charge.

The Houston expunction attorneys at Trey Porter Law have successfully expunged cases involving:

• Theft
• Possession of Controlled Substances
• Possession of Marijuana
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
• Public Intoxication
• Assault
• Other dismissed misdemeanor and felony charges

In Harris County, the most common qualifying outcomes include:

• Arrests that never resulted in formal charges
• Case dismissals for any reason
• Not guilty verdicts at trial
• Suppressed-evidence dismissals
• Successful completion of pretrial diversion programs

The key question is not what you were charged with — it’s whether the final outcome makes you legally eligible for expunction.

---

What Criminal Records Can’t Be Expunged In Texas?

Final criminal convictions generally cannot be expunged in Texas. Expunction is available only in limited situations allowed by Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and most expunction cases involve arrests or charges that did not end in a final conviction.

Some dismissed cases also cannot be expunged immediately. In many situations, expunction is not available until the applicable waiting period or statute-of-limitations requirement has been satisfied, unless a different statutory path under Chapter 55A applies.

Expunction is also much more limited in serious cases, including charges such as murder, manslaughter, human trafficking, sexual assault, and sexual offenses involving minors.

Some cases that do not qualify for expunction may still qualify for an order of nondisclosure instead, depending on the charge, the outcome, and the applicable Chapter 411 eligibility rules.

What Is The Waiting Period For Expunction In Texas?

Expunction waiting periods in Texas depend on how the case ended. Under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, there is no waiting period for expunction after a not-guilty verdict at trial, and there is also no waiting period in certain dismissal-based paths such as successful pretrial intervention that results in dismissal.

Common waiting periods for expunction in Houston include:

• Class C misdemeanor: 180 days from the date of arrest
• Class A or B misdemeanor: 1 year from the date of arrest
• Felony: 3 years from the date of arrest

If charges were filed and the case was later dismissed, expunction often is not available until the applicable statute of limitations has expired, unless a statutory exception applies.

---

How Long Does Expungement Take In Houston?

Expunctions in Houston typically take several months from filing to final compliance, and many Harris County cases take about six to nine months. The timeline is driven by court scheduling in the Harris County District Courts, agency notice requirements, and backlog.

After a judge signs the Order of Expunction, law enforcement agencies, the Harris County District Clerk, and Texas DPS still must remove records across multiple systems. That post-order compliance phase can add additional time before the record is fully cleared.

Trey Porter Law works directly with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and court coordinators to move expunction cases efficiently through each stage of the process.

---

How Much Does Expungement Cost In Houston?

The cost of expungement in Houston typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 total. Most of that amount is attorney fees. Court costs and service fees in the Harris County District Courts average about $500 and are required in every case.

Houston expungement attorney Trey Porter handles these matters on a flat-fee basis. The firm’s fee covers eligibility review under Chapter 55A, preparation and filing of the petition for expunction, service on all required agencies, coordination with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and required court appearances.

---

How Does The Expungement Process Work In Houston?

The expungement process in Houston starts with confirming eligibility under Chapter 55A and ends with a signed court order requiring Harris County agencies, Texas DPS, and other listed entities to destroy the covered records.

1. Eligibility Review
   Trey Porter Law reviews the Harris County case history, identifies the legal basis for expunction, and confirms whether the record qualifies under Chapter 55A.
   
   
2. Petition Preparation and Filing
   The firm prepares the petition for expunction and files it in a Harris County District Court in downtown Houston.
   
   
3. Notice to Agencies
   The petition must identify every agency with records of the arrest or case, including Texas DPS and relevant Harris County offices, so each one receives formal notice.
   
   
4. Hearing
   The court reviews eligibility and considers any objection from the prosecutor, Texas DPS, or another agency. Some cases are contested and require litigation to establish that the record qualifies for expunction.
   
   
5. Order of Expunction
   If the court grants the petition, the judge signs an Order of Expunction directing the listed agencies to destroy or delete the covered records.
   
   
6. Clerk Dissemination and Agency Compliance
   After the order is signed, the Harris County District Clerk sends it to the listed agencies. Those agencies then remove, destroy, or return the records as required by the order.

Do Expunged Records Show Up On Background Checks?

No. Once a court grants an expunction and the named agencies comply, the expunged record should not appear on standard background checks.

In Houston, that matters for people applying for jobs, housing, and professional opportunities across Harris County, including in healthcare, energy, aviation, and other industries that rely on routine criminal screening databases.

---

Can Employers See An Expunged Record In Texas?

No. Employers cannot see criminal history that has been expunged. Once a court grants an expunction and the named agencies comply, the record is removed and should not appear on standard employment background checks.

Under Texas law, a person who has successfully expunged a record can deny the arrest ever occurred, including on job applications.

---

Can Licensing Boards See An Expunged Record In Texas?

In most cases, no. Once a court grants an expunction and the named agencies comply, the expunged record should not appear in the criminal-history records licensing boards typically review. Expunction destroys eligible records. Nondisclosure is different. It seals eligible records from many private background checks, but courts, law enforcement agencies, and some government entities can still access nondisclosed records.

That distinction matters for licensed professionals in Houston, especially nurses and physicians. Texas Board of Nursing guidance says matters covered by an order of nondisclosure generally do not have to be disclosed, while Texas Medical Board materials say applicants who believe an offense was sealed or expunged must be able to provide the expunction or nondisclosure order if requested.

Trey Porter Law has significant experience advising nurses and physicians on disclosure issues before, during, and after the expunction process.

---

Do I Need A Lawyer For Expungement In Houston?

Yes. Expunging a criminal record in Harris County is more complicated than filling out a form.

Expunction petitions must be filed in the correct Harris County District Court, identify every agency required to receive notice under Chapter 55A, and be supported by the right case records. Filing too early, naming the wrong agencies, or using the wrong statutory path can result in denial, and court filing fees are non-refundable.

When the Harris County District Attorney’s Office or Texas DPS opposes the petition, effective advocacy at the hearing can determine whether the record gets cleared. Trey Porter Law handles every step from eligibility review through final order and has won expunction relief in contested hearings in Harris County courts.

---

How Do I Start The Expungement Process In Houston?

The first step toward clearing a criminal record in Houston is confirming eligibility under Texas expunction law.

Trey Porter Law helps people clear eligible arrest records, dismissed cases, and other qualifying criminal records in Harris County. The firm reviews Houston case history, applies Chapter 55A and Chapter 411 when relevant, and explains what can be done, how long the process takes, and what it costs.