Texas Expungement Lawyers

Trey Porter | Last Reviewed: July 2026

Trey Porter Law is a Texas law firm focused on expunctions and orders of nondisclosure. The firm helps clients clear arrest records, dismissed cases, and other criminal records by determining eligibility, preparing petitions, and pursuing final orders in court.

The firm handles expunction and nondisclosure matters in all 254 Texas counties and has earned more than 900 five-star reviews across Google and Avvo.

Trey Porter personally reviews the firm’s petitions and 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.

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

In Texas, a dismissed charge or not-guilty verdict does not automatically clear your record: a court order is required.

Can a Criminal Record Be Expunged in Texas?

Yes. A criminal record can be expunged in Texas when the case ends without probation, incarceration, or a final criminal conviction. 

Qualifying outcomes include:

• Statute of limitations expired with no formal charges filed after arrest
• Court dismissal in a qualifying case
• No-bill by a grand jury
• Not guilty verdict at trial
• Successful completion of certain pretrial intervention programs
• Dismissed Class C misdemeanor charges in most situations 

Important Note: Criminal charges dismissed after successful completion of deferred adjudication probation are not eligible for expungement under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, but record‑sealing through an order of nondisclosure under Chapter 411 may be available.

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What Is Expunction in Texas?

Expunction is the legal process for permanently destroying eligible criminal records in Texas. When a court grants an expunction, the agencies and officials covered by the order are required to return, delete, or destroy records related to the arrest, charge, and prosecution, including court files and law enforcement records.

Expunction is governed by Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Once a final expunction order is granted, Texas law allows you to deny that the arrest occurred, and the expunged matter should not appear on standard background checks.

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Is It Better to Have Your Record Sealed or Expunged?

Expunction is better when it is available. Expunction permanently destroys eligible criminal, arrest, and court records under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Record sealing, legally called nondisclosure in Texas, is governed by Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code. Nondisclosure seals the record from most private employers and background check companies, but it does not destroy the record. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain licensing and regulatory bodies can still access sealed records.

Nondisclosure is commonly available after successful completion of deferred adjudication, subject to offense-specific waiting periods and eligibility rules under Chapter 411.

In Texas, expunction and nondisclosure are the two main legal remedies used to clear or seal adult criminal records. A case may qualify for one, the other, or neither, depending on how it ended.

Who Qualifies for Expunction in Texas?

You can qualify for expunction in Texas if your case ended without a final conviction, you did not receive deferred adjudication, and all statutory waiting periods have passed. The final outcome matters most under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Scenarios that may qualify for expunction after waiting periods in Texas include:

• Arrests that never resulted in formal charges
• Charges dismissed after a defense motion to suppress in a qualifying case
• Charges dismissed before trial because of a missing witness or evidentiary issue
• Not-guilty acquittal at trial
• No-bills by a grand jury
• Completing certain pretrial diversion programs authorized under Texas Government Code § 76.011
• Class C misdemeanors resolved without a conviction

Some cases qualify for nondisclosure instead of expunction, and some do not qualify for either remedy because of the final outcome, waiting period, or criminal-episode rules.

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Who Does Not Qualify for Expunction in Texas?

A final conviction disqualifies a person from expunction under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Cases dismissed after deferred adjudication for Class A or B misdemeanors or felonies cannot be expunged, but may qualify for an order of nondisclosure instead.

Expunction is unavailable in most cases involving murder, manslaughter, human trafficking, and sexual offenses against minors. Important note: Even if your case qualifies for expunction, statutory waiting periods may still apply before filing. In some cases, early expunction is possible with the State’s agreement.

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How Do You Seal a Criminal Record in Texas?

You can seal a criminal record in Texas through an order of nondisclosure under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code. Sealing does not destroy the record. It hides the record from most private employers, landlords, and background check companies, but courts, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and certain state licensing and regulatory bodies can still access sealed records, including access authorized under Texas Government Code § 411.0765.

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Who Qualifies for Nondisclosure in Texas?

You can qualify for nondisclosure in Texas under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code if you successfully completed deferred adjudication for an eligible offense and do not have disqualifying criminal history.

Some convictions, in limited scenarios, can also be sealed through nondisclosure. Statutory waiting periods apply to qualifying cases.

Qualification does not guarantee relief. Texas nondisclosure law can require court approval, and prosecutors often argue that granting nondisclosure would not be in the interest of justice.

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How Long Do You Have to Wait to File for Expunction in Texas?

You can file for expunction immediately if you were acquitted at trial or completed a qualifying pretrial diversion program. Otherwise, the waiting period to file for expunction in Texas is generally 180 days for a Class C misdemeanor, one year for a Class A or B misdemeanor, and three years for most felonies.

If charges were filed and later dismissed, the waiting period can be longer. The timeline depends on why the case was dismissed and which Chapter 55A expunction path applies.

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How Does the Expunction Process Work in Texas?

The expunction process in Texas starts with identifying the correct statutory path and securing the records that prove it, including documents such as a certified Order of Dismissal, No-Bill Certificate, or judgment of acquittal.

1. Verify Eligibility — Confirm the case qualifies under Chapter 55A based on the final outcome, waiting period, and applicable statutory path.
   
   
2. Get the Key Records — Secure the certified Order of Dismissal, No-Bill Certificate, acquittal paperwork, or other final case records from the District Clerk, County Clerk, court, or prosecutor needed to prove the correct Chapter 55A expunction path.
   
   
3. Prepare the Petition — Draft and finalize the petition identifying every agency required to receive notice under Chapter 55A.
   
   
4. File the Petition and Give Notice — You must file in the county where the case happened and notify the local prosecutor, Texas DPS, and every other agency named in the petition.
   
   
5. Attend Hearing — The judge reviews eligibility and decides whether to grant the petition. The State sometimes opposes expunction, and judges often require clear explanations of the technical eligibility requirements. Effective advocacy matters here.
   
   
6. Order and Compliance — After the judge signs the Order of Expunction, the district clerk sends the signed order to every named agency. Each agency is then required to return, delete, or destroy covered records. 
   

Trey Porter Law manages each step from start to finish, from eligibility review through petition preparation and expunction hearings, in courts across all 254 Texas counties.

What Does Expunction Do to Your Record in Texas?

Orders of Expunction require the named agencies to return, delete, or destroy covered records related to the arrest, charge, and case. That includes court records, law enforcement records, and Texas DPS records, including records tied to the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Once expungement is complete, you can legally deny the arrest or charge ever occurred on job applications, housing applications, and professional licensing forms.

In Texas, a dismissed charge or not-guilty verdict does not automatically clear your record. A court order is required. Nothing happens without one.

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.

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How a Criminal Record Affects Jobs and Professional Licenses in Texas

In Texas, criminal records can negatively affect jobs by appearing on routine employment background checks. For licensed professionals in Texas, criminal records can trigger mandatory reporting requirements that can result in board action from reprimand to suspension. 

Expunction and nondisclosure do not do the same thing in Texas. Expunction destroys eligible records. Nondisclosure seals eligible records from most private background checks, but courts, law enforcement, and certain government and licensing agencies can still access sealed records.

• Jobs and Employment
  Texas employers often use criminal background checks during hiring. A visible arrest record or criminal case can cost someone a job opportunity even without a conviction. Expunction can remove eligible records from standard background checks and allow the person to legally deny the arrest in most situations.
  
  
• Professional Licensing
  A criminal record can trigger reporting obligations, licensing board review, investigations, practice restrictions, or disciplinary action. Texas licensing agencies may review arrests, pending charges, and convictions when deciding whether someone can obtain, renew, or keep a professional license.
  
  
• Nurses
  The Texas Board of Nursing may review alcohol-related or drug-related criminal conduct. A criminal case can lead to investigation, practice restrictions, or disciplinary action affecting a nursing license.
  
  
• Doctors
  The Texas Medical Board may investigate criminal conduct and take disciplinary action that affects a physician’s medical license, hospital privileges, and long-term career.
  
  
• Pilots
  FAA rules impose reporting requirements for certain alcohol-related and drug-related motor vehicle actions. A criminal record can create both state and federal consequences affecting certifications and employment.
  
  
• Teachers
  A criminal record can lead to educator discipline, employment consequences, administrative leave, or sanctions affecting teacher certification and continued employment in Texas schools.
  
  
• Military Members and Security Clearances
  A criminal record can affect rank, promotion, duty status, administrative separation, and security clearance review. Even without a conviction, an arrest or pending criminal case can still create career consequences.

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How Criminal Records Affect Housing in Texas

Criminal charges can negatively impact a person’s ability to rent an apartment or home in Texas. 

Landlords and property managers often rely on criminal background checks when screening tenants. A visible arrest record or criminal history can affect apartment applications, rental approvals, and housing opportunities even when the case did not end in a conviction.

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How Much Does an Expunction Cost in Texas?

A Texas expungement typically costs $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the county, the type of criminal charge, and the number of law enforcement agencies involved. Common expenses include court filing fees, certified mailing costs, and certified copies of the final Order of Expunction.

While online expunction services may advertise lower prices, Texas expunction petitions are technical legal filings that must meet strict requirements under Chapter 55A of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Mistakes can cause major delays or denials — nothing is more expensive than a botched expunction.

Trey Porter Law provides flat-rate expunction representation with no hidden fees, no add-ons, and no surprises — ensuring every petition for expunction is filed correctly and criminal records are cleared the right way, the first time.

Why Texans Choose Trey Porter Law for Expunction and Nondisclosure

People choose Trey Porter Law for expunction and nondisclosure matters because record clearing in Texas depends on choosing the correct remedy, filing under the correct statutory path, naming every required agency, and getting the timing right. Filing too early, filing under the wrong remedy, or leaving out an agency can delay relief or cause the petition to fail.

Trey Porter Law handles record-clearing matters from eligibility analysis through final orders. The firm reviews the final outcome, confirms whether expunction or nondisclosure is the correct remedy, identifies the agencies that must be included, prepares the petition, and handles hearings when prosecutors or Texas DPS oppose relief.

• 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 in all 254 Texas counties.

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Texas Expunction and Nondisclosure Attorney Trey Porter

Trey Porter has more than 15 years of experience handling Texas record-clearing cases, including eligibility analysis, petition drafting, and contested hearings. He oversees the firm’s expunction and nondisclosure matters and clients have access to Trey Porter throughout the duration of representation from eligibility to final court orders. 

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, sealing qualifying arrest, court, and probation records from public view.

Professional Licensing and Record Clearing

Trey Porter has specific experience helping nurses and medical professionals use expunction and nondisclosure relief to address Texas Board of Nursing and Texas Medical Board issues.

Minor Alcohol Offense Record Clearing

Trey Porter has experience clearing eligible minor alcohol offense records under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 106.12.

Publications, Recognition, and Memberships

Trey Porter has written and advocated for record clearing and restorative justice in Texas. His work and legal analysis have appeared in Forbes, USA Today, and Attorney at Law Magazine. He’s been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers and is a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).

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Texas Expunction and Nondisclosure Services

Trey Porter Law helps Texans clear eligible criminal records through expunction and nondisclosure in courts across Texas.

The firm handles expunction and nondisclosure matters across Texas, including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Midland.