Laredo Expungement Lawyer

HOW MUCH DOES AN EXPUNGEMENT COST IN LAREDO TEXAS?

An expungement costs up to $5,000 in Laredo. This cost includes filing fees and can vary depending on the severity and amount of cases to be expunged as well as the number of law enforcement agencies requiring service of the Expunction.

• Can I expunge my record myself in Laredo Texas? A person can pursue their own pro se expungement in Laredo but this is not recommended as Expunction is a complex process. Additionally, the consequences of a deficient expungement are devastating. An incomplete Expunction can result in loss of career opportunities as well as a continued suspension of Second Amendment rights in certain circumstances. Learn more.

• How long does an expungement take in Laredo Texas? It can take up to approximately 3 to 6 months to fully expunge a criminal charge in Laredo. This delay is typically a product of busy court dockets and administrative processing times in law enforcement agencies.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR EXPUNGEMENT IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Individuals with dismissed criminal charges qualify for expungement in Laredo. Individuals who resolved their cases through Deferred Disposition or pretrial diversion also qualify for expungement in Laredo. Learn more.

• What offenses cannot be expunged in Laredo Texas? Criminal convictions and charges resolved by Deferred Adjudication and community supervision probation cannot be expunged in Laredo. Additionally, certain serious felonies with no Statute of Limitations, like Murder, are at times ineligible for Expunction depending on the circumstances leading to the dismissal. Learn more.

• Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Laredo Texas? A properly expunged criminal record will not appear on a background check in Laredo. However, an improper expungement can result in charges remaining on criminal records in Texas. It is critical to retain an experienced expungement lawyer when seeking to clear a record in Laredo.

CAN YOU BUY A GUN AFTER EXPUNGEMENT IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Yes, a person can buy a gun in Laredo after expungement if they have no other disqualifying factors like a domestic violence conviction or a protective order. However, it is imperative to seek experienced legal assistance as a deficient expungement can result in a continued suspension of Second Amendment rights in Laredo. Learn more.

• How do I file for expungement in Laredo Texas? Expungement requires the preparation and filing of a verified Petition for Expunction with the Webb County District Clerk or in the appropriate court. The petition must list all the pertinent law enforcement and governmental agencies and comport with chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Expungement is a nuanced process that should be handled by an experienced Expunction lawyer in Laredo.

• What is the process for expungement in Laredo Texas? Expungement is a legal process initiated by filing a notarized Petition for Expunction in court. The proceeding functions as a lawsuit where the district attorney represents the State and can contest the expungement. Ultimately, the trial court judge decides whether to grant or deny an expungement in Laredo. Learn more

DOES CRIMINAL RECORD CLEAR AFTER 7 YEARS IN LAREDO TEXAS?

No, criminal records do NOT automatically clear after 7 years, or any amount of time in Texas. Even a dismissed charge will remain on criminal records in Texas permanently unless it is expunged. Expunction is the only mechanism to clear a criminal record in Laredo. Learn more.

• What are the benefits of expunction in Laredo Texas? Expungement deletes all records relating to a criminal charge in Texas and allows the recipient to legally deny the offense ever occurred. This is an incredible advantage to those active in the job market or seeking to advance their careers. Expungement can also help litigants in a variety of immigration law or family law contexts, like child custody or adoption. CDL operators are benefited by expungement as are those in the military and in financial professions.

• What happens at an expungement hearing in Laredo Texas? The judge considers evidence, hears arguments from all parties, and decides whether to grant an Expunction at an expungement hearing in Laredo. The petitioner is required to appear at the hearing where the state is represented by the district attorney or sometimes a Texas Department of Public Safety official. An expungement hearing requires knowledge of procedure, evidence, and court rules and should therefore be handled by an experienced Expunction lawyer in Laredo. Learn more.

DO ARRESTS WITHOUT CONVICTION SHOW UP ON BACKGROUND CHECK IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Yes, arrests appear on criminal background checks in Laredo even when charges are dismissed. An arrest does not ever automatically disappear from a criminal record in Laredo. The only way to delete an arrest record in Texas is by Expunction.

• Can FBI see expunged records in Laredo Texas? No, the FBI cannot view criminal records that have been properly expunged in Laredo. However, an improperly expunged criminal record may continue to appear on an FBI background check in Laredo. This is one reason it is critical to retain an experienced expungement lawyer when seeking to clear a charge in Laredo. Learn more.

• What crimes are not eligible for expungement in Laredo Texas? Crimes resulting in a final conviction and those resolved by Deferred Adjudication or community supervision probation are not eligible for expungement in Laredo. Certain serious felonies with no Statute of Limitations, like Murder, are also ineligible for expungement in certain instances depending on the circumstances for the dismissal.

WHAT MISDEMEANORS CANNOT BE EXPUNGED IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Misdemeanor convictions and cases resolved by Deferred Adjudication probation or community supervision probation cannot be expunged in Laredo though certain first time minor offenses may qualify for record sealing by nondisclosure. 

• How far back can a background check go in Laredo Texas? A background check in Laredo can review the entirety of a person’s criminal record in Texas with no date or time limitation. This means cases as old as 30 years or older will appear on a background check in Laredo.

• Do I need to expunge dismissed charge Laredo Texas? Yes, a dismissed criminal charge must be expunged or it will remain on a criminal record in Laredo. Additionally, expungement allows an individual to deny existence of the expunged charge. This is an immeasurable career or litigation advantage.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPUNGEMENT AND EXPUNCTION IN LAREDO TEXAS?

There is no difference between the terms expungement and Expunction in Texas. Both terms are used interchangeably when referring to clearing a criminal record in Texas. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure chapter 55 does refer to this process as Expunction.

• What is the Texas 7 year rule? There is no rule in Texas that automatically clears a criminal record after 7 years. It is true that certain entities may only consider offenses within the previous 7 years but this does not mean a charge has disappeared from a person’s criminal record. The only way to clear a record in Texas is by Expunction.

• Do felonies go away after 7 years in Laredo Texas? No, felonies do not automatically go away after 7 years in Laredo. This is an unfortunate misconception as even dismissed felonies remain permanently on criminal records unless expunged. The only method to clear a felony record in Texas is Expunction.

CAN LOCAL POLICE SEE EXPUNGED RECORDS IN LAREDO TEXAS?

No, local police cannot view criminal records that have been properly expunged in Laredo. However, an improper expungement can result in offenses continuing to appear on criminal background checks, including drug offenses and white collar crime. This can result in prolonged, pretextual police investigative detentions in Laredo. Learn more.

• How much does it cost to remove a misdemeanor in Laredo Texas? It costs up to approximately $5,000 to remove a misdemeanor record in Laredo. The costs and filing fees can vary depending on the number of cases and law enforcement agencies involved in the Expunction.

• How long does it take for a misdemeanor to fall off your record in Texas? A misdemeanor does not ever automatically fall off a criminal record in Texas. Even a dismissed misdemeanor will remain permanently on a person’s criminal record unless it is expunged. The only way to clear a misdemeanor record in Texas is by Expunction.

WILL I PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK WITH A MISDEMEANOR IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Misdemeanors do appear on criminal background checks in Texas. Attitudes regarding misdemeanor records will naturally vary across Laredo. Some entities may not care about minor misdemeanors while others may disqualify a candidate for a simple traffic violation, especially those concerning CDL eligibility. Learn more.

• Can you refuse to hire someone with a criminal record in Laredo Texas? Yes, employers can refuse to hire a person due to their criminal record in Laredo. This makes Expunction a considerable advantage for job candidates in Laredo and South Texas. Additional employment law questions should be referred to a law office in this practice area.

• Do I need a lawyer for expungement in Laredo Texas? Yes, expungement is a complex legal process that should be handled by an experienced expungement lawyer in Laredo. The perils of an improper expunction include loss of career opportunity, uncomfortable questions during job interviews, professional licensing problems, and pretextual police investigations.

WHO CAN SEE MY EXPUNGED RECORD IN LAREDO TEXAS?

A properly expunged record will not be visible on any background check in Laredo and a person can legally deny existence of the expunged offense. However, a deficiently expunged charge may appear on criminal records in Texas. Texans seeking to clear a criminal record should therefore seek assistance from an experienced Expunction lawyer. Learn more.

• Can you clean your record in Laredo Texas? Yes, a person can clean their record by Expunction in Laredo. Expunction is a powerful legal tool that deletes all records of a case and allows a person to deny existence of the expunged charge. The Expunction process is complex and should be handled by an experienced expungement lawyer in Laredo.

• How long does expungement take in Laredo Texas? Expunging a criminal record takes up to approximately 3 to 6 months in Laredo. There is sometimes delay in the Expunction process due to busy court dockets and government agencies.

WHAT CHARGES CANNOT BE EXPUNGED IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Charges resulting in a final conviction are not eligible for expungement in Laredo, nor are those resolved by Deferred Adjudication or community supervision probation. Some serious felonies with no Statute of Limitations, like Murder, are at times ineligible for expungement depending on the reason the case was dismissed.

• How long before a felony can be expunged in Laredo Texas? Felonies usually require a 3 year waiting period prior to Expungement in Texas. However, expungement sometimes requires expiration of the felony’s Statute of Limitations. This can prevent Expunction of certain serious felonies that have no period of limitation depending on the circumstances for their dismissal.

• Will a felony show up after 7 years in Laredo Texas? Yes, a felony will appear on a criminal background check after 7 years in Laredo. Felonies do not ever automatically disappear from criminal records in Texas even when dismissed. The only way to clear a felony record is by Expunction in Laredo.

HOW FAR BACK DOES A BACKGROUND CHECK GO TX?

There is no time or date restriction on criminal background checks in Texas as they can review the entirety of a candidate’s criminal history. This means extraordinarily old charges can still appear on a criminal background check in Texas.

• How do I seal or expunge my record in Laredo Texas? Expungement and record sealing by nondisclosure requires the filing of the appropriate legal petitions in the pertinent court in Laredo. Expunction and nondisclosure are both complex legal proceedings requiring knowledge of civil procedure and the criminal justice system. These processes should be handled by an experienced expungement lawyer in Texas. Learn more.

• What are the rules for expungement in Laredo Texas? Criminal offenses that are dismissed with no probation will generally qualify for expungement in Laredo. However, a class C misdemeanor requires a 180 day waiting period, while class B and class A misdemeanors impose a one year waiting period. Felonies require a 3 year waiting period. Some expungements require expiration of the Statute of Limitations prior to Expunction. A person seeking to expunge a charge in Laredo should consult an experienced Expunction lawyer for greater detail.

HOW DO I GET A DISMISSED CASE EXPUNGED IN LAREDO TEXAS?

A person seeking to expunge a dismissed case in Laredo must file a verified Petition for Expunction with the Webb County District Clerk or in the pertinent court. The petition should identify all the relevant law enforcement agencies and comport with chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The suit then proceeds to a hearing where a judge determines whether the Expunction is granted.

• Do arrests show up on background checks in Laredo Texas? Yes, arrests do appear on criminal background checks in Laredo. An arrest does not ever automatically go away and must be expunged or it will remain on a criminal record.

• Can you get a drug charge expunged in Laredo Texas? Yes, Laredo drug offenses may be expunged if dismissed, resolved by Deferred Disposition or pretrial diversion program, or if they resulted in jury trial acquittal.

HOW DO I GET AN EXPUNGEMENT IN LAREDO TEXAS?

Expungement is a legal process that requires the preparation and filing of a verified Petition for Expunction. Expungement requires knowledge of civil procedure, rules of evidence, and the criminal justice system. As such, it should be handled by an experienced expungement lawyer in Laredo.

EXPUNGEMENT LAWYER IN LAREDO | WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS

Trey Porter Law represents individuals seeking to expunge criminal records in Laredo and Webb County, as well as the surrounding areas of Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Uvalde, Hondo, Jourdanton, McAllen, and San Antonio.

Trey Porter Law stands up for the citizen accused. From students to teachers, veterans to first responders, and professionals across varied industries and disciplines, TPL brings a results-oriented & client-focused approach to solving complex problems.

Trey Porter is a Texas SuperLawyer, nationally recognized as a dynamic advocate in Criminal Defense. Voted by his peers as a best lawyer in the field of Criminal and DWI Defense every year since 2015, Mr. Porter holds a Superb rating from AVVO, where attorneys are rated based on skillful litigation, client satisfaction, peer endorsements, and positive results. Learn more.