You may qualify if…
- Your case was dismissed or no-billed
- You were found not guilty
- You completed pretrial diversion
- You successfully completed deferred adjudication
Frisco Expungement and Record Sealing Lawyer
An old arrest or case can keep showing up on background checks long after it’s over, costing you jobs, apartments, and opportunities. Al Rowland helps people in Frisco, Collin County, and Denton County clear or seal their criminal records so they can move forward.
Can You Clear Your Criminal Record in Texas?
Many people can, but they don’t realize it. Texas offers two main tools: an expunction, which destroys records of an arrest, and an order of nondisclosure, which seals records from most public view.
Eligibility depends on how your case ended, the offense, your criminal history, and how much time has passed. The rules are technical, and a petition filed incorrectly or too early can be denied. We review your full record, identify every case that may qualify, and handle the filing from start to finish.
Expunction vs. Order of Nondisclosure
They sound similar, but they work very differently.
| Expunction | Order of nondisclosure | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Records are destroyed or returned, and the arrest is treated as if it never happened | Records are sealed from the public, but remain available to law enforcement and certain agencies |
| Typically available for | Dismissals, acquittals, no-bills, cases never filed, and completed Class C deferred | Completed deferred adjudication and certain first-time misdemeanor convictions |
| Governing law | Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (expunction chapter) | Texas Government Code, Chapter 411 |
| Where it’s filed | District court in the county of arrest, such as Collin or Denton County | The court that handled the original case |
| Can you deny it on applications? | Generally, yes | For most private employers and landlords, yes, with some exceptions |
Eligibility, Waiting Periods, and Disqualifying Offenses
Waiting periods
Some petitions can be filed right away. Others require waiting, depending on whether the case was a misdemeanor or felony, whether charges were filed, and, for nondisclosure, the type of offense. We calculate your earliest filing date.
Disqualifiers
Certain offenses can never be sealed by nondisclosure, including cases with an affirmative finding of family violence and offenses requiring sex offender registration. Some later convictions can also disqualify you.
Even a first-time DWI may be eligible for nondisclosure in some circumstances. Learn about DWI cases.
Filing in Collin or Denton County: Step by Step
Most Frisco arrests were handled in Collin or Denton County, and that is where your petition will be filed. Here is what to expect.
- 1
Record review
We obtain your criminal history and court records to confirm eligibility.
- 2
Petition prepared and filed
The petition must list every agency that may hold records, from Frisco police to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- 3
State’s response and hearing
Prosecutors may agree or object. If a hearing is needed, we appear for you.
- 4
Order signed and sent
Once granted, the order goes to each agency so the records are destroyed or sealed.
Record Sealing Questions We Hear Often
What is the difference between expungement and expunction?
They mean the same thing. “Expunction” is the term Texas law uses, while “expungement” is the more common term nationally.
Can I expunge a conviction in Texas?
Generally, no. Expunction is mostly limited to arrests that did not result in a conviction, with narrow exceptions such as certain pardons. Some convictions may qualify for an order of nondisclosure instead.
How long does it take to clear a record?
The court process commonly takes a few months from filing to a signed order, and agencies then need time to process it. Any waiting period that applies before filing is in addition to that.
Will a sealed record show up on a background check?
A nondisclosure order prohibits courts and agencies from releasing the record to most private employers and landlords. Law enforcement and certain licensing agencies can still see it.
Find Out If Your Record Can Be Cleared
Tell us about your past case, and we’ll let you know whether an expunction or nondisclosure may be available.
469-895-6555 Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC6160 Warren Pkwy Ste. 100
Frisco, TX 75034
Thank you.
Your request has been received, and we will be in touch shortly. If you have questions in the meantime, please call 469-895-6555.