We Help Clients Clear Their Criminal Records In Fort Worth, Texas

Even if you were not convicted, an arrest on your criminal record can greatly complicate your life and future wellbeing. Call us today to see if you qualify for an expunction of your criminal record. 

If you were arrested or charged with a crime in Fort Worth, you probably had complications looking for a job, losing a job, or any number of related issues. Unfortunately your record will show an arrest regardless if you were acquitted with a not guilty verdict or the charges were dismissed outright!

Thankfully, Texas allows eligible people to apply for an expungement of criminal records.

The page will review the law, eligibility requirements, the expunction process and how our expunction attorney can help you successfully expunge your criminal record.

What Is A Criminal Record Expunction?

A successful expunction is a deletion of your criminal records. This ensures a clean criminal record so that nobody can see your arrest or criminal charge. This gives you a fresh start in employment, housing, loans, reputation and education that would otherwise be unavailable.

Consult Record Expunction Attorney Jeff C. Kennedy

We make 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.

We serve Tarrant county and surrounding areas, with locations in Fort Worth, North Richland Hills and Arlington. We have successfully helped hundreds expunge their criminal records throughout Tarrant County and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Schedule a FREE consultation with Jeff C. Kennedy to see if you qualify for an expungement of your criminal record. View Some Of Our Case Results Here

Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy, PLLC
301 W Vickery Blvd Suite #101
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 605-1015
Hours:Open 24/7
Schedule Your Free Consultation

Expunction Under Texas Law

Right to expunction is outlined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure §55.01. The expunction process can be tedious and complex, which involves eligibility requirements (stated above), deadlines and rules.

Qualifying For Record Expungement

Not every charge will qualify for an expunction. Many misdemeanor offenses will qualify. A charge without a conviction should qualify. Certain amounts of time needs to pass.

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

What Crimes Can Disqualify Me From An Expunction?

Even if you meet one of the requirements for an expunction, there are other factors that can disqualify you from an expunction. Specifically, if you were convicted for kidnapping, specific sex offenses, and domestic violence offenses, Additionally, your expunction will not be approved if you have any felony convictions on your record that took place within five years leading up to the arrest you want expunged.

• If You Do Not Qualify: Hope isn’t lost. You might qualify for a motion to non-disclose or permanently seal your criminal record, making it unavailable by the public.

Steps To Clear A Criminal Record

If you qualify for an expunction, your attorney will take the following steps to request an expungement of your criminal record in Fort Worth, TX.

• Filing a Formal Petition – Your attorney will file a petition for expunction on your behalf in district court. On the petition, we 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.
  • This includes a step where your attorney will need to find and notify all agencies of your expungement request.
• Filing Fees and Requirements: Every Texas county has different fees and requirements for filling an expunction. If you are filing for expunction in Tarrant County, there is a filing fee of $425 to process the expunction request and to schedule a hearing with the judge.
• The Expunction Hearing: Before the hearing, your expunction attorney will ensure all paperwork and filing requirements are in order.
  • A felony district judge will review your expunction request and criminal record.
  • The prosecutor will choose to object or argue against the expunction.
  • Your attorney will advocate on your behalf for a successful expunction. You may also present evidence, which can greatly help your case.
• Approved or Denied: If your expunction is granted, an official order is signed to start the process of clearing your criminal record.

Agencies Are Contacted to Destroy Your Records

When your expunction is approved, the next step is to contact all agencies and ask them to destroy the records related to your arrest. An attorney includes the following agencies in the request (petition).  This is a mandate ensuring a clean record.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest
• The County Sheriff’s Office that booked you
• Third-party databases

Why You Need An Experienced Expunction Lawyer

• Successfully applying for an expunction requires completing a mountain of paperwork.
• Any errors in the filing process can delay or even jeopardize your request.
• An experienced attorney submitting this paperwork will ensure there are no errors, which can cause your application to be denied.
• An attorney ensures all agencies follow the court’s order.
• An attorney can make this courtroom appearance on your behalf.

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.

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.