Expungements Collin County Texas Lawyer Anna TX Non Disclosure Seal a Record Attorney

Protecting Reputations With Expungements and Non-disclosure

Making a mistake that results in criminal charges can have lasting consequences for both young people and adults. From the inability to get into college or rent an apartment to disqualification from certain employment opportunities, virtually every phase of life can be affected by an easily accessible criminal record. The good news is that you do have options. It may be possible to clear or seal your record with the assistance of a skilled lawyer.

At the Law Office of Tim W. Avery, we offer criminal defense services to residents of Collin County, and the surrounding communities. Located in McKinney, Texas, near the Collin County Courthouse, we are easily accessible to adults and juveniles facing criminal charges. Contact us to learn how we can help you.

Expunction Versus Non-disclosure

The basic definition of expungement is that it erases the record of charges for those who have been acquitted or who have had charges dismissed by the state. Depending upon the circumstances of the case, a record may be cleared immediately or there may be a required waiting period.

Non-disclosure is an option for those who have successfully completed deferred adjudication probation for certain offenses. This option seals the record of the offense from the general public, concealing a person's criminal past from even the most intrusive background checks. However, this does not happen automatically. You must work with a criminal defense attorney to obtain a non-disclosure order to seal the record.

Please note, you are ineligible for either expungement or non-disclosure if you have been convicted. Attorney Avery can help determine your eligibility and the steps you must take to begin rebuilding your reputation.

Juvenile Convictions and Criminal Records

For young people convicted of juvenile crimes, there is a way to keep a conviction from appearing on their permanent criminal record. Similar to non-disclosure, sealing a record effectively makes a record inaccessible to the public. To succeed, an attorney must file a petition with the court. For a misdemeanor conviction, the petitioner must be at least 18 years old. For a felony conviction, the petitioner must be at least 21 years old.