Expungement Lawyer in The Woodlands

Helping You Turn Over a New Leaf with Expunction

Everybody makes mistakes in their life. Everybody has a past. However, not everyone’s past choices haunt them for the rest of their lives as a criminal past does. Anyone with a criminal record trying to recover from poor choices and change their future will tell you that.
Individuals with a criminal history may face numerous challenges because of their convictions. They may experience judgment and social issues because of their past. A criminal record can also impact you legally, including your immigration status, professional licensing, and driver’s license. It can be difficult to find housing and employment. Some people lose custody of their children in a divorce due to their criminal history. However, not everyone with a criminal record deserves this treatment.
Expunction is a way to fix that, as it is possible to remove some criminal offenses from your record for good. Expungement is a court-ordered process in which the legal record of a criminal offense or arrest is essentially “erased.” There are many reasons a person might choose to expunge their record, including:

• Better career opportunities
• More choices for education
• More choices for housing
• No more stigma or lousy reputation associated with a criminal record

Having a skilled criminal defense lawyer is crucial when proving you don’t deserve the consequences associated with your past conviction. An experienced Houston expungement attorney will stand by your side as you navigate complex Texas expungement laws. An expunction attorney can help determine whether you are eligible for expungement and will handle the legal nuances of your claim so you can focus on your everyday life.
At Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law, our criminal defense attorneys help with every aspect of a criminal charge, including expunction. Our attorneys will review your criminal record to see if you’re eligible for expungement and offer legal counsel based on years of experience. Contact us today by calling 713-766-3733.

What is Expungement in Texas?

Expungement is the legal removal of a person’s criminal record. When you successfully bring an expungement claim, it is as if certain offenses never happened. Being able to clear your name is a dream come true for many people with a criminal past. These individuals experience new freedom based on overcoming their criminal history.
There are certain charges which are eligible for expunction in Texas, including:

• Arrests that resulted in a person being released and not charged with an offense
• Criminal charges that were dismissed, excluding dismissals after deferred adjudication
• Criminal charges that did not result in a guilty verdict
• Criminal charges that resulted in acquittals
• Arrests in which a person’s name appears by mistake

We can help you understand the laws around expungement, as they can be confusing and sometimes misleading. Whether you are currently facing a criminal charge or have been convicted, you have certain rights that must be protected. A criminal defense lawyer will stand in your corner to defend you. Our criminal defense attorneys will fight aggressively so that you can honestly say the crime that was expunged never occurred.
When you have completed your sentencing and found a new life on the right side of the law, you should be able to move on past a criminal record. Fight for your freedom to live your life. Contact the criminal defense attorneys at Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law to discuss options for your criminal record. Call 713-766-3733 today to set up your complimentary initial consultation.

How Much Does Expungement Cost?

As with many legal issues, it is difficult to calculate the exact cost of the procedure without knowing the details of the criminal charge. Depending on the process and time involved in resolving the expunction, your case could cost more or less than someone else’s. Hiring a skilled expunction attorney can help ensure the process is resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.
There are administrative and attorney fees involved in expungement. The first step in the expungement process is to ensure you are eligible for expungement before paying any filing fees, as they are non-refundable. The filing fee is about $300, and the average expungement lawyer might cost around $1,500 to handle the paperwork and filing process.
In most cases, it takes about 30 days to schedule a hearing date after the petition for expunction is filed. The process, overall, takes about four to six weeks. If an expungement is granted, it takes up to 180 days for local, state, and federal agencies to destroy their records.
The best way to get an accurate estimate of your costs is to speak with a lawyer. Please reach out to schedule your consultation with Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law. We’ll discuss our current rates regarding expunction so you are prepared and know what to expect. We will work tirelessly to get you expunction under Texas law and allow you to get back to living your life. Contact us to learn more by calling 713-766-3733.

Who Qualifies for Expungement in Texas?

Not all criminal records are eligible for expunction. Our attorneys will review your criminal record first to see if you qualify for expungement. Texas expungement laws are clear about what situations may merit an expunction in Texas. A judge may legally deny expungement, which is why it’s critical to hire a Houston expungement lawyer who will work to get your criminal record sealed or expunged.
Some qualifications for expungement in Texas include:

• Those who were acquitted of a crime
• People who were not convicted of a crime
• Individuals who were pardoned by the President of the United States of Texas Governor
• Crimes where the statute of limitations has expired

Many misdemeanor convictions qualify for expungement, from traffic to non-violent crimes to trespassing and vandalism, so don’t lose hope in clearing your name. Understanding Texas expungement laws can be difficult. With a Houston expungement lawyer on your side, you can understand the qualifications and timeline of expunction in Texas.
Our criminal defense lawyers have helped many individuals achieve a not-guilty verdict and have their criminal records ultimately dismissed. In these and other cases, we can often help get the individuals an expunction. Call Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law to see what’s possible for your situation. Contact us right away at 713-766-3733 to schedule a free initial case review, during which we’ll discuss your unique circumstances.

What Are the Benefits of Expungement?

Expunction in Texas can be complicated. Achieving full expungement requires operating under the Texas Government Code and demonstrating you meet the qualifications for eligibility. With the help of a talented Houston expungement lawyer, you have a much better chance of getting your record expunged. But why is it so essential to expunge a criminal record?
Some benefits of expunction in Texas include:

• Increased chances of better employment – Having a criminal record can make it much more difficult to get a job. Criminal records can also block people from getting professional licenses, making it impossible for them to live their dreams. With expungement, you can proceed with your career as if the charge or conviction never happened
• No more social stigma – Criminal records can make having a social life nearly impossible, impacting your self-identity and relationships with those around you. Some people have strained family relationships because of lost child custody. Having your criminal charge erased can make it possible to enjoy meaningful relationships and restore your sense of self
• Immigration status – If you are a legal permanent resident or are in the U.S. with a visa, you may find it nearly impossible to retain your status when you have a criminal record. Some immigrants face deportation if they have a criminal history. Working with an experienced Houston expungement attorney can help remove your arrest records, allowing you to continue to live and work in the U.S.
• Increased housing opportunities – Most landlords check a prospective tenant’s criminal history. If you have a criminal charge or arrest on your records, you may be denied housing. When you get your record sealed, you may find it much easier to find rental properties or get a loan to buy your own home
• Access to government assistance programs – People seeking public assistance may be legally denied if they have previous felonies or other criminal records. If you get your record sealed, you can get the financial help you need to get by until you’re back on your feet
• Growing your family – Adoption agencies can legally deny those with a criminal record. Start working with our expungement lawyers right away to get through the expunction process and start or grow your family through adoption or foster parenting

 

What Crimes are Not Eligible for Expungement?

It can be hard to know whether you qualify for expungement in Texas. Speaking with a Houston expunction lawyer is one of the best ways to know whether you should seek expungement. We offer a free initial consultation so you can get answers about your unique criminal case and determine the best path forward.
In Texas, the following types of criminal records are not eligible for expunction:

• Arrests that resulted in a guilty conviction
• Arrests that resulted in probation or community supervision, except for class C misdemeanors
• Any criminal charges that have been dismissed and are within the statute of limitations

To get an arrest expunged, you must wait until the statute of limitations has been completed for that criminal offense. For example, Class C misdemeanors have a waiting period of 180 days, while Class A and Class B misdemeanors have a statute of limitations of at least one year. For felonies, you must wait at least three years before beginning the expunction process. This applies to all criminal offenses, but for nondisclosures, you may be eligible for expungement once your sentence or deferred adjudication is finished.
Our highly knowledgeable expungement lawyers are ready to help you with the expunction process. We’ll prepare a solid criminal defense to prove that you deserve all records relating to your charge to be wiped clean. If necessary, we’ll walk by your side as you confront the court process to get your arrest record wiped clean. Contact our law firm immediately to help get your felony, Class A, Class B, or Class C misdemeanor expunged.

Can I Hire an Expunction Lawyer to Help Me?

Criminal records hold people back in many areas of life. If you have an arrest or similar charge on your criminal record, you may have a hard time getting work, finding housing, and enjoying a normal social life. You may even be losing out on a relationship with your children. For immigrants, a criminal record can mean deportation. If you have grown tired of your criminal record and are curious about ways to change your future, our attorneys can see if you qualify for expungement.
Texas laws around expungement often cause more confusion than clarity, so the first step in our process will save you time, money, and frustration. We’ll speak with you about your criminal record to determine whether pursuing an expunction in Texas is even an option. Our criminal defense attorneys will be completely honest about your chances of success and will search to find an option that meets your needs. Schedule your free consultation, and we will review your record to see if you’re eligible for expungement.
Move forward with confidence by hiring Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law. We understand that your life is busy and that you need to close your arrest records so you can get back to the life you have dreamed of. We can handle all of the necessary paperwork and filing on your behalf to ensure a smooth process. Schedule your consultation and get started today. Call 713-766-3733 to speak with our expungement lawyers.

Should You Hire Our Woodlands Expungement Attorneys?

If a criminal charge is preventing you from enjoying your life to the fullest, and if you’ve successfully completed your sentence and enough time has passed since the charges were brought against you, you may be eligible for expungement in Texas. Texas residents should understand that the petition for expunction can be complex and confusing. It would be best to pursue this process with the help of knowledgeable expunction attorneys like those at Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law.
Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge about how criminal cases work, including how the Texas code governs expungement in Texas. We know how to work with government agencies to get our clients the best possible results. We will help you determine eligibility and recover evidence, such as court documents, to prove that you deserve to have your record sealed.
Contact our expunction attorneys right away for help filing for expungement in Southeast Texas. We offer a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by calling our law office today. You can reach us by dialing 713-766-3733.