San Antonio Expunction Attorney

Lawyer Assisting With Expunging or Sealing Your Criminal Record in San Antonio, TX

If you have been arrested for a crime in Texas, and the charge is later dismissed, the odds are that you still have a criminal record. The accused in a criminal case must take the initiative to seal his or her criminal records after a dismissal or acquittal by filing a civil lawsuit called an expunction. The expunction process is designed to clear your record of criminal charges so that they can no longer haunt you when you apply for jobs, try to buy a home, or go back to school.

Even people who have been placed on deferred adjudication community supervision may later have a district court judge enter an Order of Non-Disclosure in most criminal cases, so there are options for many people who have been charged with crimes in the past.

At the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, Attorney Sam Lock knows that once you have been cleared of any wrongdoing, it is unfair to still have a criminal record that could affect your life and limit your opportunities. He will work tirelessly to expunge your records so that they are no longer discoverable by future employers, credit/background checks, or private citizens.

Eligibility for Expunction

Before filing for an expunction, you should know whether your crime is eligible to be removed from your record. Listed below are some records that may be eligible for expunction:

• A charge that was dismissed in court.
• An arrest that never resulted in a charge.
• An illegitimate arrest or conviction added to your record as a result of identity theft.
• Some juvenile misdemeanors.
• Certain alcohol-related convictions that occurred while you were a minor.

If your charge is not able to be expunged, you might instead try applying for an Order for Non-Disclosure, which does not erase a charge from your record but does make it much less accessible to the public.

Taking Steps to Seal Your Record

To apply for an expunction, your first step is to file a Petition for Expunction with your county court. This form requires that you provide your name, Social Security number, and other identifying information. In addition, you must provide the exact offense for which you were arrested, where and when it took place, and what agency handled the arrest. Our skilled attorney can go over the petition with you and make sure you have included all necessary information.

After you submit the petition, a court hearing will be scheduled to decide on whether your expunction will be granted. The judge may summon an opposing party, such as the prosecutor behind the original case, who can challenge or agree to the expunction. If your request for expunction is approved by the judge, the record of your arrest will be destroyed by state and federal officials. This is a lengthy process that can take months to complete, and to make sure it can be completed successfully, legal representation can be crucial.

Contact Our San Antonio, TX Expunction Lawyer

Attorney Sam H. Lock is a criminal defense lawyer with over 25 years of experience protecting the rights of Texans. He is a compassionate legal advocate who works to ensure that clients can address legal concerns effectively.

Sam Lock works with clients in Central and South Texas, and he takes pride in being able to help people clear up criminal charges so that they can move on to lead productive and happy lives. There is no reason that you should continue to suffer from false allegations of the past. If you live in San Antonio, Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, or Waco, Sam Lock can help give you a fresh start.

You can contact our law office at 210-226-0965 and set up a consultation to get legal help with expunctions or other criminal cases. The sooner you call, the sooner you will be able to move on with your life without being chained to the past.