A criminal arrest can continue to appear on background checks long after the case itself is over. In Texas, some people can ask a court to expunge qualifying records, while others may be eligible for an order of nondisclosure that limits public access to certain records.

The important question is not simply whether your case was dismissed. Eligibility depends on the exact charge, disposition, criminal episode, waiting period, and other statutory requirements.

Norris Legal Group helps people in Fort Worth and Tarrant County evaluate whether their records may qualify for expunction or nondisclosure. Call 817-859-8985 for a free consultation.

What Is an Expunction in Texas?

Texas expunction law is governed primarily by Chapter 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure. When a person qualifies and the court grants an expunction, covered records and files relating to the arrest are subject to the statutory expunction process.

Expunction is different from merely having a case dismissed. A dismissal can be an important part of eligibility, but it does not automatically erase the arrest record. A petition and court order are generally required unless another specific statutory procedure applies.

Who May Qualify for Expunction?

Texas law provides several paths to expunction, including certain cases involving acquittals, pardons, qualifying dismissals, no-bills, mistaken identity, and other situations identified by statute.

For arrest-based eligibility involving released charges that did not result in a final conviction and are no longer pending, statutory waiting periods may apply. The rules differ by offense level and can be affected by whether another charge arose from the same criminal episode.

Because Texas substantially reorganized its expunction statutes into Chapter 55A, older online summaries may use outdated article numbers or oversimplify eligibility. The safest approach is to review the actual disposition and current statute rather than rely on a generic checklist.

Does a Dismissed Case Automatically Qualify?

No. A dismissal can support eligibility, but not every dismissal qualifies automatically. The defense should review why the case ended, whether charges remain pending, whether a waiting period applies, whether the arrest involved other charges, and whether any statutory exception or restriction applies.

A person who was acquitted after trial may have a different route than someone whose charge was dismissed before indictment, dismissed after indictment, or no-billed by a grand jury.

What Is an Order of Nondisclosure?

An order of nondisclosure is different from an expunction. It generally restricts public disclosure of qualifying criminal history information rather than using the expunction process to remove covered records.

Nondisclosure eligibility depends on the offense, disposition, criminal history, waiting period, and other statutory requirements. Some deferred-adjudication cases can qualify for nondisclosure even when they would not qualify for expunction.

The distinction matters because a person should not be told that a record can be “erased” when the available remedy is actually nondisclosure.

Expunction vs. Nondisclosure

Expunction is generally the stronger record-clearing remedy when a person qualifies because it is designed to address the records covered by the expunction order. Nondisclosure generally limits public access while allowing certain governmental and authorized entities to retain access under the statute.

Which remedy applies depends on the case. Norris Legal Group reviews the disposition first and then explains the available path rather than assuming one remedy fits every record.

How the Fort Worth Expunction Process Works

1. Obtain and review the criminal case history. The first step is identifying the arresting agency, offense, case number, court, disposition, and related charges.
2. Confirm statutory eligibility. The lawyer evaluates Chapter 55A and any other applicable statutes, including waiting periods and criminal-episode restrictions.
3. Prepare and file the petition. A qualifying petitioner generally files in the appropriate district court and identifies the agencies and entities required by statute.
4. Notice and court process. The State and other respondents receive the process required by law. Some cases are contested; others may be resolved without a disputed hearing depending on local procedure and the case.
5. Entry and service of the order. If the court grants relief, the signed order must be distributed and processed as required by law.
6. Follow-up. Record-clearing work does not end merely because the judge signed an order. The lawyer should confirm the order was properly sent to the required entities and address follow-up issues when appropriate.

How Long Does an Expunction Take in Tarrant County?

There is no responsible way to promise an exact timeline for every case. Timing depends on the court, service requirements, whether the State objects, the number of agencies involved, and how quickly those entities process the final order.

Many matters take several months, but that is an estimate rather than a guarantee. During a consultation, the firm can explain the likely steps for the particular case.

Can a DWI Be Expunged in Texas?

A DWI conviction generally is not expunged simply because time passed. A DWI arrest that ended in a qualifying dismissal, acquittal, or other eligible disposition may be different.

Texas also permits deferred adjudication for some DWI cases under limited circumstances, but deferred adjudication is not the same thing as an expunction. Some people may later qualify for nondisclosure if the statutory requirements are met.

The exact disposition controls the analysis.

Can an Assault Case Be Expunged?

Potentially. A qualifying dismissal, acquittal, no-bill, or other eligible disposition may support expunction. Family-violence allegations and other related issues can complicate the record-clearing analysis, so the full case history should be reviewed.

Can Old Cases Still Be Cleared?

Age alone does not determine eligibility. Some old arrests may qualify; others may not. The controlling questions are what happened in the case, whether statutory conditions are met, and whether any disqualifying circumstance applies.

Be Wary of One-Size-Fits-All Answers

Record clearing is one area where oversimplified claims can create serious confusion. Statements such as “every dismissed case qualifies,” “all government agencies lose access,” or “your record will always be gone in a fixed number of months” are too broad.

Norris Legal Group reviews the actual record before telling you what the law allows.

Why Choose Norris Legal Group?

Founder Graham Norris is a former Tarrant County prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer. Norris Legal Group represents clients in Fort Worth and Tarrant County and can review the criminal case that created the record before advising on record-clearing options.

The firm’s current figures report more than 3,600 misdemeanor and felony cases handled, more than 1,100 unique cases defended, more than 400 client cases dismissed, and more than 60 grand jury no-bills across criminal matters. These are firm-wide figures and do not mean every record can be expunged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deny an arrest after an expunction?

Texas law provides protections regarding disclosure after a valid expunction, subject to statutory exceptions. The exact wording and circumstances matter, so a person should know the effect of the final order rather than rely on a broad internet statement.

Can employers still find an expunged record online?

A court order directs the entities covered by the order to comply with Texas law, but third-party websites and privately collected data can create follow-up issues. If stale information remains online after an expunction, additional steps may be necessary.

What if I received deferred adjudication?

Deferred adjudication often points toward nondisclosure rather than expunction, but eligibility varies by offense and history. Have the disposition reviewed.

What if there were several charges from one arrest?

Multiple charges can materially affect eligibility because Texas expunction law can treat charges arising from the same criminal episode together. A lawyer should review every charge before filing.

How much does an expunction cost?

Fees and court costs depend on the complexity of the record, the number of cases and agencies, and whether the matter is contested. Norris Legal Group can discuss the expected cost after reviewing the record during a free consultation.

Talk to a Fort Worth Expunction Lawyer

If an arrest or criminal charge is continuing to affect employment, housing, licensing, or your reputation, the first step is determining which Texas remedy—if any—actually applies. Don’t face the legal process alone.

Call Norris Legal Group at 817-859-8985 for a free consultation about expunction or nondisclosure in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.