Fort Worth Expunction Lawyer

Even if you were never convicted, an arrest on your criminal record can greatly complicate your life and future wellbeing. Find out if you can get the record expunged by speaking with an expunction attorney in Fort Worth.

It’s no secret that a criminal record can have a massively negative impact on your life and future. However, it’s also true that the mere record of an arrest or criminal charge can have just as significant of an impact—even if you were acquitted with a not guilty verdict or the charges were dismissed outright!

Thankfully, Texas state law allows eligible people to apply for an expungement of criminal records. A successful expunction can make it so that there’s no publicly available record of the arrest or criminal charge, which is necessary for ensuring your future wellbeing.

Successfully applying for an expunction, or even knowing if you qualify, isn’t easy. A criminal record expunction lawyer from the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy can evaluate your situation, inform you of your options, and help you apply for the expungement of records you need. We have offices in Fort Worth, North Richland Hills and Arlington. We have successfully fought to expunge records for clients throughout Tarrant County and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.

What Is A Criminal Record Expunction?

In today’s modern digital age, large portions of our personal histories are available to anyone who cares to look for them. This is especially true of public records, which arrest and criminal records fall under. It’s simply something we all have to live with.

Landlords, employers, banks, universities, and colleges all frequently review the criminal records of applicants. Even if you weren’t actually convicted of a crime, the mere mention of an arrest might be the factor that distinguishes your application from another candidate’s—or simply results in it being dismissed altogether.

A successful expunction will make this record non-existent as far as the public is concerned. By having the record of the charge expunged, you will re-open many previously lost opportunities for employment, housing, loans, and education that would otherwise remain closed.

Am I Eligible For Expunction in Fort Worth?

While the expunction process is invaluable, it isn’t easy.  A criminal record can affect your life in many ways—especially your employment prospects. However, not every charge will qualify for an expunction.

Many misdemeanor offenses will qualify. A charge for which you were never convicted should qualify. Certain amounts of time must have passed. You should check with your attorney to verify whether your case will qualify you to seek an expunction order.

In order to be eligible, your record must meet one of the following criteria per Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 55.01(a)(2):

• You were acquitted of the charges against you through a not guilty verdict
• The charges against you were dismissed, there was no court-ordered probation, and the statute of limitations for the offense has expired
• No formal charges for the offense you were arrested for have been filed and the charge’s statute of limitations has expired
• You were a juvenile convicted of a misdemeanor punished with a fine, an alcohol offense, or failure to attend school
• The charge on your record is incorrect because someone else falsely gave your name at the time of his or her arrest
• Your conviction was later eliminated by a governor’s pardon
• Your conviction was overturned through an acquittal granted by an appeals court
• Your conviction was for a Class C misdemeanor and you have since completed deferred adjudication

Even if your case doesn’t meet one of the above criteria, hope isn’t necessarily lost. Alternatively, you might also qualify for a motion to non-disclose the criminal records, which would permanently seal the record, making it unavailable to the public, thereby also protecting your well-being and opportunities.

What Crimes Can Be Expunged Fort Worth, TX?

Even if you meet one of the criteria necessary for an expunction, there are additional factors that could potentially disqualify you from receiving an expunction. In particular, if you were ever convicted for kidnapping, certain sex offenses, and certain domestic violence offenses, then it could prevent you from ever being eligible for an expunction, even if a future charge meets the appropriate criteria.

Additionally, if you have any felony convictions on your record that took place within five years leading up to the arrest you want expunged, expunction will unfortunately not be an option.

What Is The Process For Filing For Expunction in Fort Worth?

To get a criminal record expunged, you or your attorney must file a petition for expunction. You must complete the paperwork to set a hearing in front of a judge.

On the petition, you will detail the crime you were initially charged with, what the outcome of your case was, and why you deserve to have your criminal record expunged.

During the expunction hearing, you can argue your case (or your lawyer will), and the judge will make a final decision regarding whether your petition for expunction will be granted. You may also present evidence. Doing so could greatly help your case.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Get an Expungement?

Strictly speaking, a defense attorney isn’t required in order to seek a criminal record expungement. However, working with the experienced record expunction lawyers in Fort Worth is a good decision. We can give you the best chance for an expunction approval and make the process as smooth as possible.

Successfully applying for an expunction will require completing a veritable mountain of paperwork, all of which is incredibly easy to make an unintentional error on. And one mistake is all it takes to see your application denied.

Additionally, an expunction will require appearing in court at some point. Your Fort Worth criminal record expunction lawyer will be able to make this courtroom appearance on your behalf, which will allow you to simply go about your life and focus on the things that are truly important.

Our firm makes the expungement process easy. We’ll give you honest answers about your eligibility, what to expect, and any other concerns that pop up during the process. Even if it turns out that expunction isn’t an option, we can also help you explore whether having your criminal record sealed is a possibility.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Attorney Jeff C. Kennedy To Discuss Your Expunction!

If you need to get the record of an arrest, juvenile misdemeanor, or Class C misdemeanor expunged from your record, we can help. The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy have extensive experience handling expunction requests, and we can help you get the best possible result for your case.

You don’t have to use the same defense attorney you worked with during your original trial, either! If your previous lawyer has since moved or retired, we can help you through the expunction process.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling our office directly at 817-605-1010.