If a Criminal Case Is Dismissed, Does It Stay on Your Record?

If you’ve ever been charged with a crime in Texas, you may be asking yourself this question: If a criminal case is dismissed, does it stay on my record?

That’s an excellent question, and the answer is yes. Many people don’t realize that, though. They think that, if a case is dismissed, the record of that crime will be destroyed. Not so.

On your criminal record, the charge will show up with a statement beside it saying “dismissed.” Unfortunately, just having a charge on your record is enough to keep a lot of employers from hiring you. They don’t care that the case was dismissed, and they may wrongly assume you committed the crime but “got away with it.”

So what can you do about it?

Expunction and Non-Disclosure Orders in Texas

To get rid of a charge on your record, you can petition the court for an expunction order. That’s a mouthful, but “expunction” means to expunge your criminal record, or erase the charge. The expunction order is a court order that tells the criminal record-keepers to destroy the record of that arrest or charge. It will be like it never happened.

If you don’t qualify for expunction, there is another way to “hide” a charge or conviction from view. This order also comes from a judge and is called a non-disclosure order. Your record will not be entirely destroyed, but it can be hidden from the view of the public and potential employers.

Getting a Dismissed Charge Off Your Record

Back to your question: If a criminal case is dismissed, does it stay on your record? Yes—unless you get it removed.

To learn more about expunction and non-disclosure orders and to see if you qualify, call a record-clearing attorney with the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy. We can be reached by calling 817-605-1010 or by filling out the contact form below.