Frisco Expungement & Nondisclosure Lawyers

A criminal record can follow you for years. It affects employment opportunities, housing applications, and educational pursuits. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Frisco, Texas, you may have options to clear your record. Additionally, you can pursue expungement or nondisclosure. At My Dallas Criminal Lawyer, our Frisco expungement lawyers help clients remove or seal criminal records in Collin County and throughout North Texas. Our legal team provides comprehensive support throughout the expungement process to help your case be handled efficiently.

Our founding attorney, Justin Wilson, brings valuable experience as a former prosecutor. He now dedicates his practice to criminal defense and record clearing. Furthermore, Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers recognized Justin for three consecutive years (2021–2023). Expertise also recognized him as one of the “Best DUI Lawyers in Frisco.” Justin understands both sides of the criminal justice system. Having an experienced attorney is important for navigating the expungement process successfully. This experience allows us to provide strategic guidance and work toward favorable outcomes for our clients seeking a fresh start.

Understanding Criminal Records in Texas

A criminal record in Texas can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from employment opportunities to housing, education, and even professional licensing. Whether you were arrested, charged, or placed on deferred adjudication, your criminal history can become part of the public record, accessible to many employers, government agencies, and other public entities through background checks. This record can follow you for years, limiting your future opportunities and impacting your professional life.

Texas law recognizes the importance of giving individuals a second chance. The expungement process, governed by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, allows certain criminal records to be cleared or destroyed under specific circumstances. If you were acquitted of a criminal offense, received a pardon, or meet other statutory criteria, you may be eligible to have your criminal record expunged. Expungement means that all records relating to the arrest, charges filed, and court proceedings are removed from public view, and in many circumstances you can legally deny the incident ever occurred, subject to limited exceptions under Texas law.

The process of clearing a criminal record in Texas involves several steps. You generally must file a petition for expungement with the district court in the county where the offense took place. This petition must include detailed information about your case, such as your name, date of birth, and the specific criminal offense. The court will review your petition, and if you meet the eligibility requirements under Texas expungement laws, the judge may order relevant law enforcement agencies and state agencies to destroy or seal the records relating to your case. In some situations, such as actual innocence or identity theft, immediate expunction may be available.

It’s important to understand that not all criminal records in Texas are eligible for expungement. Certain offenses and certain types of dispositions are excluded by law. Additionally, individuals who have previously been convicted of particular felonies or certain misdemeanors may not qualify. Several factors, such as the type of offense, the outcome of the case, and the waiting period since the arrest or completion of community supervision, will determine eligibility.

There are different types of relief available in Texas. Expungement may result in the destruction or removal from public view of records relating to the offense, while other relief may involve sealing certain records from public access. In some cases, an order of nondisclosure may be appropriate, which restricts access to your criminal history by most employers and public entities but allows certain government agencies to view the record.

Working through the expungement process can be complex, and the stakes are high for your future. Consulting with an experienced Dallas expungement lawyer is often helpful to ensure your petition is properly prepared and filed, and to maximize your chances of a successful expungement. A criminal defense attorney can evaluate your criminal history, explain your options, and represent you in court, helping you take the first step toward seeking to clear your record and move forward.

Understanding the impact of a criminal record in Texas—and knowing your rights under criminal law—can help you make informed decisions. If you believe you may be eligible for an expunction or nondisclosure, don’t wait. Contact a knowledgeable Dallas expungement attorney for a free consultation and begin the process of working to restore your good name and open new doors for your professional and personal life.

Understanding Expungement and Nondisclosure in Texas

Texas law provides two primary methods for clearing criminal records: expungement and orders of nondisclosure. Understanding the difference between these options helps determine the right path forward for your situation.

Expungement, also known as expunction in Texas, completely removes all records related to your arrest and charges from public view. When a record is expunged, it is treated under the statute as if the arrest never happened. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and prosecutors must destroy or return qualifying physical and electronic records as ordered by the court. This means the expunged record should not appear on most background checks. Additionally, in most circumstances you can legally deny that the arrest or charge ever occurred, with certain limited exceptions set out in Texas law.

Orders of nondisclosure, on the other hand, seal your criminal record from public view but do not destroy it. Most employers, landlords, and educational institutions cannot access sealed records. However, certain government agencies and licensing boards may still have access. Nondisclosure provides significant benefits but does not offer the same level of relief as expungement.

The choice between expungement and nondisclosure depends on your specific circumstances. Eligibility for either option is determined by criteria outlined in Texas law, as well as the outcome of your case. Our Frisco expungement attorneys conduct thorough eligibility reviews. We determine which option appears to provide the greatest benefit for your situation.

Expungement Eligibility Requirements in Frisco

When You Can Get an Expungement

Texas law allows expungement in specific circumstances where you were not convicted of the charged offense. Under the current Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A (effective in 2025), you may be eligible for expungement if:

• Your charges were dismissed without conviction. This includes dismissals through pretrial diversion programs or deferred prosecution agreements. This is one of the most common scenarios for expungement eligibility in Collin County.
• You were acquitted (found not guilty) at trial or through a directed verdict. Even if you went through the stress and expense of a trial, an acquittal may make you eligible. You can seek to have records of the arrest and charges expunged.
• You received a pardon from the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States. Pardons are rare but can provide a path to expungement when granted.
• Your conviction was overturned on appeal and you were not retried, or you were retried and acquitted. This situation requires careful legal analysis to ensure all requirements are met.
• You were a victim of identity theft and someone else was arrested using your identifying information. This situation requires documentation proving the identity theft, and you must show that you were not the person actually arrested.

The key requirement for expungement is that you must not have been convicted of the offense, subject to limited statutory exceptions. If you pleaded guilty, pleaded no contest, or were found guilty, you generally cannot obtain an expungement for that charge, although you may qualify in narrow situations such as certain pardoned or overturned convictions. However, you may be eligible for nondisclosure depending on your sentence and the type of offense.

Updated Waiting Periods for Expungement

Under the 2025 Texas law changes, specific waiting periods now apply before you can petition for expungement:

• For a Class C misdemeanor: 180 days from the date of arrest
• Class A and Class B misdemeanors: 1 year from the date of arrest
• For felony offenses: 3 years from the date of arrest

Some cases may qualify for expungement without waiting for these full periods, such as acquittals, pardons, and successful completion of certain specialty court programs, as allowed by statute.

The statute of limitations for each offense type can affect when you can seek expungement. Expungement may be available once the limitations period expires for certain cases, such as dismissed or no-billed charges, if the other statutory requirements are met. Expungement removes the arrest record from public view, which can be important for background checks and future opportunities.

Orders of Nondisclosure for Frisco Residents

When expungement is not available, orders of nondisclosure may provide an alternative path to clearing your record from public view. Nondisclosure is available for some individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision without a final conviction, subject to offense-specific limitations.

Deferred adjudication allows you to plead guilty or no contest to a charge. However, the court defers finding you guilty and places you on community supervision (probation). If you successfully complete all terms of supervision, the court dismisses the charges without entering a conviction. This outcome makes you eligible for nondisclosure in many cases, depending on the offense and your record.

Corrected Waiting Periods for Nondisclosure

Waiting periods for nondisclosure petitions are based on the specific offense type, not just the classification level:

• Most misdemeanors: You can petition immediately after completing deferred adjudication and being discharged from supervision, if you meet statutory criteria.
• Serious misdemeanors: Offenses under specific Penal Code chapters (20, 21, 22, 25, 42, 43, 46) require a two-year waiting period after discharge from supervision.
• State jail felonies and all other felonies: Five-year waiting period after discharge from supervision.

DWI Nondisclosure Eligibility

Recent changes to Texas law have expanded nondisclosure eligibility to include certain first-time DWI offenses. If you completed deferred adjudication for a first DWI and meet specific requirements, you may be eligible for nondisclosure:

• Two-year waiting period if you completed supervision with an ignition interlock device
• Five-year waiting period if no interlock was required
• Additional requirements include no accident involving another person and meeting specific BAC-related thresholds.

Permanently Prohibited Offenses

Certain offenses are never eligible for nondisclosure, including:

• Family violence offenses as defined by Texas Family Code Section 71.004
• Sexual offenses involving children
• Any offense requiring sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure
• Murder and capital murder
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Human trafficking offenses

Our attorneys review your complete criminal history to determine eligibility and identify any potential barriers to obtaining nondisclosure.

The Expungement Process in Collin County Courts

The expungement process in Collin County has been streamlined under the 2025 Texas law changes. New automatic expungement procedures exist for certain cases, and improved digital processing capabilities help speed up the process.

The process begins with a comprehensive eligibility review and case evaluation. We examine your criminal history, court records, and the specific circumstances of your case. This helps us determine whether expungement or nondisclosure is appropriate. This initial assessment is important because filing the wrong type of petition can delay the process and increase costs.

Once we confirm eligibility, we prepare and file a petition for expungement with the appropriate district court in Collin County. The petition must include specific information about your case, including cause numbers, arrest dates, and the agencies involved. We also prepare an order for the court to sign directing all agencies to expunge their records in accordance with the court’s ruling.

After filing the petition, we serve notice on all relevant parties. This includes the district attorney’s office, law enforcement agencies, and any other entities that may have records related to your case. Under the 2025 law changes, agencies must now accept electronic transmission of notices, and there is a $25 fee for agencies unable to receive electronic transmissions.

In most cases, the district attorney’s office will review the petition and either agree to the expungement or file an objection. When objections are filed, a hearing may be necessary to resolve disputed issues. Our attorneys are prepared to advocate for your interests at any hearing and address concerns raised by prosecutors.

The timeline for completing an expungement has improved under the new 2025 procedures. Automatic expungements are available for certain qualifying cases, and faster digital processing exists for others. Traditional expungement cases typically take several months to complete, depending on the complexity of your case and the court’s schedule.

Why Choose My Dallas Criminal Lawyer for Your Expungement

Our firm brings valuable advantages to expungement and nondisclosure cases in Frisco and throughout Collin County. Justin Wilson’s background as a former prosecutor provides insight into how district attorneys evaluate expungement petitions and what factors may influence their decisions.

This prosecutorial experience allows us to anticipate potential objections and address them proactively in our petitions. We understand the concerns that prosecutors may have and can present arguments for why expungement serves the interests of justice in your case.

Our track record of handling expungements and nondisclosures includes matters for clients facing a wide range of charges. We have worked on cases involving DWI, drug offenses, theft, assault, and many other crimes, including recent dismissals of serious felony charges and successful record-clearing outcomes for clients seeking employment and educational opportunities.

Finally, our approach includes not only the legal work necessary to pursue expungement or nondisclosure, but also guidance on how to handle background check questions and employment applications after your record is cleared. We help clients understand their rights and obligations following successful expungement or nondisclosure.

Benefits of Clearing Your Criminal Record in Frisco

Clearing your criminal record through expungement or nondisclosure can provide numerous benefits and significantly improve your quality of life and future opportunities. Understanding these benefits helps illustrate why pursuing record clearing is often a worthwhile investment.

Employment opportunities may expand when you can pass background checks without criminal history appearing. Many employers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area conduct background checks as part of their hiring process, and a criminal record can affect your consideration for employment. With a cleared record, you can compete more effectively with other candidates and pursue career advancement without the burden of past mistakes.

Housing applications may become easier when you do not have to explain criminal charges to landlords and property management companies. Many rental properties may require background checks, and criminal history can result in application complications. A cleared record can remove these potential barriers and may provide access to better housing options.

Educational pursuits, including college admissions and financial aid eligibility, may be affected by criminal history. Some educational institutions may consider criminal history in admissions decisions, and certain types of financial aid may be restricted for individuals with drug-related convictions. Clearing your record can remove these potential obstacles to furthering your education.

Professional licensing opportunities may improve with a cleared record. Many professions require licensing through state agencies that conduct background checks and may consider criminal history in licensing decisions, particularly in healthcare, education, finance, and legal fields. Clearing your record can be helpful for these career paths.

Important Note About Military Service: While expungement may support military waiver applications by demonstrating rehabilitation, it does not automatically restore military service eligibility or eliminate disclosure requirements. Military applicants must still disclose expunged records during the enlistment process, and the military retains the ability to access expunged records. However, expungement can serve as evidence of rehabilitation and may positively influence waiver decisions.

Contact Our Frisco Expungement Attorneys Today

If you have a criminal record that is affecting your life and opportunities, contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today for a free consultation. Our Frisco expungement lawyers will review your case, explain your options, and help you take the first step toward working to clear your record.

During your consultation, we will review your criminal history, discuss your goals, and provide honest guidance about your eligibility for expungement or nondisclosure. We will explain the process, timeline, and costs involved so you can make an informed decision about moving forward.

Call us today at 214-949-4117 to schedule your free consultation. You can also visit our Frisco office at 5 Cowboys Way Suite 300, Frisco, TX 75034, or our Dallas office at 14800 Quorum Drive, Suite 247, Dallas, TX 75254. We offer flexible scheduling and can accommodate evening and weekend appointments when necessary.

Do not let a criminal record continue to limit your opportunities. Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today and take the first step toward working to clear your record and protect your future. Our team is ready to help you through the expungement process and pursue the fresh start you are looking for.

We serve clients in Frisco, Addison, Dallas, and all surrounding areas.