San Antonio Expunction Lawyers

Helping Our Clients Clear Their Criminal Records in Texas

Being convicted of a crime can mean more than just paying a fine or going to jail. Having a criminal record can also affect your life, your relationships, and your family far into the future.

With an arrest or conviction on your record, it may be difficult to:

Get into a school
Get a job
Close a deal on a new house
Rent a home

If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, it may be possible to clear your criminal record so that you can move forward in life without your criminal record bringing you down. An expunction removes the arrest or conviction from your permanent record, granting you the freedom to enjoy life without your record following you around.

At LaHood Norton Law Group, PLLC, we help clients seek expungements in Texas. Our expunction lawyers in San Antonio, TX, understand the requirements and the potential challenges you may face and can build a strong case on your behalf.

What Is a Petition for Expunction in Texas?

Before you plead guilty or navigate your case without a criminal defense lawyer, it is important to understand your options. The way that your case is handled can determine whether you will be able to obtain an expunction later.

According to the Texas Bar, your first step in gaining an expunction in Texas is filing a Petition for Expunction requesting an Order for Expunction. Applying for the expunction is very detailed and must include the following information from the petitioner:

Personal & identifying information
Offense charged
Date of arrest
Date of alleged offense
Name of arresting agency
List of agencies/facilities with a record of arrest
Case number (if applicable)
Name of court (if applicable)
How & date the charge was resolved (if applicable)

This information must be filed with the correct court. The level of offense will determine whether your petition needs to be filed with municipal, county, or district court. After filing the petition, the court will schedule a hearing and send notice to all applicable parties.

What’s the Difference Between Expunction and Record Sealing?

Under Texas law, there’s a major legal difference between having your record expunged and having it sealed. Both options can improve job opportunities and protect your privacy, but they are not the same, and eligibility depends heavily on how your case was resolved.

Here’s how record expungement and record sealing differ:

Record Expungement (Expunction):

Completely destroys your arrest record and court files.
Treated as if the incident had never occurred under the law.
You can legally deny the arrest or charge on employment applications and housing forms.
Applies when you were not formally charged, found not guilty, or pardoned.
Typically used for cases involving only an arrest or a dismissed charge.
Once expunged, the record no longer exists and cannot be seen by government agencies, background checks, or even state agencies like the Texas Department of Public Safety.
You must go through the expunction process and meet strict requirements under the relevant statute of limitations.

Record Sealing (Nondisclosure Order):

Your criminal history is hidden from the general public, but not from law enforcement or licensing boards.
Sealed records still exist and can be accessed by certain government agencies.
You may still have to disclose the event in specific situations, such as when applying for a professional license or working in public safety.
Common for cases involving completed probation or deferred adjudication.
Does not apply if there was a guilty conviction, with very limited exceptions.
A nondisclosure order gives you privacy but does not eliminate the record.

If you’re unsure which applies to your situation, speak with a San Antonio expungement lawyer or a San Antonio criminal lawyer familiar with Bexar County court requirements. A qualified San Antonio expungement lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify for a full expunction or a record sealed through a nondisclosure order, and help you take the first step toward a fresh start.

How Long Does the Expunction Process Take in Texas?

The expunction process in Texas isn’t immediate. It typically takes several months from start to finish, and that’s if there aren’t any hold-ups. Once the petition is filed, the court must schedule a hearing, which can take 30 to 60 days depending on the county’s docket. After the judge signs the order, each agency listed in the petition, like the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement, has up to 180 days to either destroy or return all related records. Delays can happen at any point, especially if paperwork is incomplete or an agency objects. In total, most cases take between four to six months to fully process.

If you are afraid of delays, perhaps because you have a great employment opportunity or rental prospect, and you want to ensure you get it right the first time, call 210-750-4490 to schedule a free consultation and speak with a LaHood Norton Law Group, PLLC expungement lawyer familiar with the Texas process.

Are You Eligible for Texas Expunction?

In Texas, you will not be eligible for an expunction if convicted or on community supervision for an offense other than a Class C misdemeanor. Additionally, if an arrest is related to a violation of probation, or a person is also not eligible for expunction if the arrest relates to a probation violation warrant, or if the person runs from jurisdiction after a bond release.

You may be eligible for an expunction if you meet the following requirements:

You were arrested but never charged with a crime
Your criminal charges were dismissed
You were found not guilty at trial
Misdemeanor juvenile offenses
Minor alcohol offenses
The crime was a class C offense that was dismissed after you completed deferred adjudication community supervision
You were convicted of a crime that was acquitted by the trial court of the Criminal Court of Appeals
You were convicted of a crime that was pardoned by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States

What Are the Most Common Reasons Expunction Requests Get Denied?

Even if you’re eligible for an expunction under Texas law, your petition can still be denied due to errors in paperwork, missing documentation, or failing to meet legal requirements. The process is exacting, and courts will reject a petition that doesn’t strictly follow procedure.

Here are the most common reasons expunction requests get denied:

You were convicted of the offense: Expunctions are typically not available if there was a final conviction.
The statute of limitations hasn’t expired: If not enough time has passed since the arrest or dismissal, your request may be considered premature.
Your case involved multiple charges: Even if one charge was dismissed, the court may deny expunction if another offense in the same incident was ineligible.
You received probation or deferred adjudication: For anything beyond a Class C misdemeanor, this often makes you ineligible for expunction.
You fled the jurisdiction after arrest: Leaving the area after posting bond or failing to appear in court can disqualify you.
Errors in the petition: Misspelled names, incorrect dates, or missing agencies can all lead to automatic denial.
You failed to notify all necessary agencies. All involved entities, including arresting agencies and prosecutors, must be properly served.
You’ve previously filed and been denied. In some cases, repeated filings without new evidence can result in dismissal without a hearing.

These denials often stem from technicalities rather than merit. That’s why attention to detail and full understanding of the process are critical when filing for an expunction.

Do You Still Need a Lawyer If Your Case Was Dismissed?

Even if your charges were dismissed, that doesn’t mean your record is automatically cleared. A dismissal may end your court case, but it won’t erase your arrest record or prevent it from showing up on background checks. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards can still see that information unless it’s formally expunged. Unfortunately, many people learn this the hard way, when they lose out on a job or housing opportunity they thought was secure.

The truth is, Texas expunction law is complex, and even dismissed cases can run into legal snags if the paperwork isn’t handled properly. Timelines, court procedures, and notification requirements must all be followed precisely.

That’s where we come in. At LaHood Norton Law Group, PLLC, our San Antonio expunction lawyers know the process inside and out. We help make sure your case doesn’t get tripped up by avoidable mistakes, and that your future is finally free from your past.

Get Help Filing for Expunction from Our Team in San Antonio, TX

The best way to seek an expunction is with the help of a qualified lawyer. At LaHood Norton Law Group, PLLC PLLC, our expunction lawyers in San Antonio, TX, deliver client-focused and results-driven representation, fighting tirelessly to help our clients achieve their goals. A brighter and more promising future can be yours with an expunction, and our team is here to help.

If you’re in San Antonio, call 210-750-4490 to schedule a free consultation with our team.