San Antonio Record Sealing & Expunctions Lawyers
Helping You Eradicate Your Criminal Record
It comes as a shock to many people charged with crimes that they will have a criminal record for the rest of their life despite the fact that they were never convicted. An arrest or dismissal, even without a conviction, will remain on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Computerized Criminal History System. Furthermore, you might think that after completing deferred adjudication, your conviction would vanish from your criminal record – but this does not happen.
If you fail to take action to clear your record, it remains present and will be available to anyone performing a background check. Future employers, landlords, educational institutions, and anyone else will have access to the information. Moving forward with a criminal charge from an arrest or dismissal can seriously impact your life. That is why we recommend that you let our San Antonio record sealing attorneys take the necessary action to help you clear your record.
Contact us now for a free consultation at (210) 960-9557.
Clearing Your Criminal History
Two methods have been authorized in Texas to clear a criminal record. They are Order of Expunction and Order of Non-Disclosure. Only certain charges and convictions are eligible for expunction. Some crimes cannot even be sealed from your record.
Orders of Expunction
In certain situations, an order of expunction can be used to erase a criminal record. You must meet the eligibility criteria to successfully expunge your record.Please note that convictions cannot be expunged.
You are eligible for expunction if you:
- Were found not guilty
- Had your charges dismissed
- Received a deferred disposition on a Class C misdemeanor
- Won an appeal
- Were granted a pardon by the governor
To find out if you qualify for an order of expunction, contact our legal team at Smith & Vinson Law Firm. We can review your case to determine the appropriate legal action for clearing your record whether through expungement or an order of non-disclosure.
Orders of Non-Disclosure
Completing deferred adjudication will generally allow you to seal your record through an Order of Non-Disclosure. This means that your criminal history will not be available to the public but can still be accessed by criminal justice groups. In these cases, it is up to the judge to decide whether he or she can grant an Order of Non-Disclosure. Judges are held to a standard of doing what is in the best interests of justice. Because of this, you will need the assistance of a criminal defense attorney to represent you before the judge.
Additional restrictions regarding record sealing after completing deferred adjudication include a two-year waiting period for some types of Class A and B misdemeanors and a five-year waiting period for felonies.
Criminal offenses that cannot be sealed include:
- DWI
- Homicide
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Sex crimes
- Domestic violence
To protect your future, keeping your criminal record clean is paramount. By doing so, you will have access to the same opportunities and privileges as everyone else. Call Smith & Vinson Law Firm so that our San Antonio expunction lawyers can evaluate your situation. Our goal is to help you put the past in the past so that you can move forward to the next chapter of your life without barriers or restrictions.
Call now to connect with Smith & Vinson Law Firm and review of your case. We are available 24/7 at (210) 960-9557.
Our Clients Are Our Biggest Endorsers
Hear What They Have to Say
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Attorney Brad Vinson was informative, professional yet sympathetic with his approach to my case. Mr. Vinson was open to opinion and ensured that all legal avenues were considered and addressed before presenting a course of action.- Michael
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Having no background in law and finding myself in a situation that left me feeling extremely vulnerable, I felt quickly at ease in their care. They were very reasonable with my situation and helped work around my needs by providing me with the most support- Andrew
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They handled my case incredibly well and warned me on the possible negative outcomes, overall completely satisfied me through the whole process.- Elmer Marqueiz
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Very professional, on time and educates you along the whole process. I had a lot to lose and you guys gave it all back to me and finally represented what true Justice is here in America.- Manuel R.
A Proven Track Record
Check Out Our Recent Case Results
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Rejected Pre-Indictment Aggravated Assault Strangulation/Impeding Airway Investigation
Our client was accused of restricting his wife’s airway with a plastic bag. His wife, who had been a chronically unfaithful and emotionally abusive alcoholic, provided a video to the State to try and get our client charged with a felony.
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Dismissed Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Our client, a retired Marine, was out with some friends one night when he got into a fight at a gas station. He allegedly pulled out a knife and left the scene. Moments later, law enforcement pulled him over. He was charged with misdemeanor DWI, felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and two counts of felony Terroristic Threat.
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No Charges Filed Sexual Assault Investigation
Our client was a UT student who was accused of sexual assault. He came to our firm extremely scared about his future both with the university and within the criminal justice system. With our firm's help, he was able to show that his accuser was not credible. Smith and Vinson put together a defense that law enforcement recognized as credible evidence of his innocence and not to file charges which changed the course of our client's life.
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Charges Avoided Assault
Client had been celebrating his birthday and tried to prevent some of his guest from driving while intoxicated. While attempting to arrange an alternative ride for a relative, the relative’s girlfriend decided she wasn’t having it and decided to start an altercation with a few other guest. Later she accused our client of having assaulted her and sending her to the hospital.
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Dismissed Possession of Controlled Substance
Our client was pulled over for expired registration. Police smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. Police found marijuana and pills containing a controlled substance, and the State charged our client with a felony. Our client was already facing multiple misdemeanor charges in another county.