Expunction & Record Sealing in Austin, Texas
“I was so lucky to find Chris to help me on my case. The rapport and guidance from him were outstanding, prompt, timely and open for calls and quick updates. He worked through all of the questions and issues on my case with me. He successfully expunged the record in a very short time. I can’t thank Chris enough for his care, work and time on the case. I highly recommend him for anyone who needs help getting their record expunged — he is the right person to do it for you.”
Having a criminal charge on your Texas record can be devastating. It can make finding employment, renting an apartment, obtaining child custody, or getting admitted to school all the more difficult. However, depending on the outcome of your criminal case, you may be entitled to erase or seal your record through an expunction, also called an expungement, or a non-disclosure order. Learn more about how they compare here.
With decades of experience handling straightforward and complex expungement cases in Travis, Williamson, and Hays County, criminal defense attorney Chris Perri is passionate about helping people protect their future.
In fact, Chris Perri served as a founding partner and supervising attorney for the University of Texas School of Law's Expunction Project and has led seminars teaching other Austin criminal defense attorneys best practices for expunging or sealing criminal records. Further, his advocacy even helped shape current state expungement law.
When it comes to record sealing and clearing, Chris Perri is a leader in the Central Texas defense community.
To discuss your options, call Chris Perri Law at (512) 269-0260 today.
What Is an Expungement According to Texas Law?
Most people understand that a criminal conviction appears on a person’s criminal history or background check. Yet what some people miss is that arrest records — even if the charges didn’t result in a conviction — show up on official records, too.
An expunction, also commonly called an expungement, is a legal procedure that has the power to completely erase a qualifying arrest record from a person’s criminal background in Texas. After an expunction is granted, a person can deny that the arrest ever occurred—even in potential future law enforcement interactions. The record has truly been wiped clean.
Who Is Eligible for an Expunction in Texas?
In most circumstances, defendants are only eligible to expunge their arrest records if:
Their case resulted in a dismissal
They were acquitted at trial
They successfully completed certain pretrial diversion programs
If you received a criminal conviction or deferred adjudication, then you are not eligible for an expungement, unless you get the conviction overturned through an exoneration, a governor’s pardon, or possibly an appeal or writ of habeas corpus. In addition to his trial-level and record sealing criminal defense practice, Chris Perri has extensive appellate experience helping clients challenge potentially unjust convictions across Texas. If you or someone you care about is seeking post-conviction relief, we may be able to help.
In the context of multiple arrest charges, expungement law can get quite complicated, so you need an experienced expunction attorney in Austin like Chris Perri to identify which cases are eligible. Chris Perri Law has won arguments for expungements in the most complex of circumstances and is prepared to litigate issues before trial courts and, if necessary, appeal rulings all the way to the Texas Supreme Court.
Time Restrictions on When to Apply for an Expungement
For most Texas cases, a person must wait until the statute of limitations for a charge has expired before they can apply for an expunction. Generally speaking, statutes of limitations break down as follows:
Most misdemeanors have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for family violence assault)
Most felonies have a 3-year statute of limitations
Some serious felony offenses, such as murder, have no statute of limitations, meaning those arrests are typically not eligible for expunctions
Learn more about what types of criminal charges can be expunged—and when—here.
There are exceptions. In some situations, early expunction may be possible, particularly after successful completion of a pretrial diversion program or depending on local county policies. An experienced Austin expunction attorney who knows Travis, Hays, and Williamson County regulations well can evaluate your case and determine the earliest opportunity to clear your record.
What Is a Non-Disclosure Order?
A non-disclosure order, also known as record sealing, restricts public access to a person’s Texas criminal record. While the record is not erased entirely, it is hidden from most employers, landlords, schools, and background-check companies. Law enforcement and certain state licensing agencies may still be able to view the information.
In many cases, people are eligible for record sealing after successfully completing deferred adjudication requirements or if they have a single qualifying misdemeanor conviction, including certain DWI cases.
To qualify for a non-disclosure order in Texas, a person must meet all case-specific eligibility conditions and complete any required waiting period without incurring additional criminal charges. Some serious offenses, such as sex crimes, are not eligible for record sealing at all.
Because the rules are complex and constantly evolving, an experienced Texas non-disclosure attorney like Chris Perri can review your case and help determine your eligibility.
Request a Free Case Consultation with Chris Perri
When It Comes to Expunctions and Record Sealing in Texas, Chris Perri Is at the Forefront.
“Where my last lawyer failed, Chris prevailed. Battled getting my record expunged for over 5 years with a budget attorney before giving up. Should have called Chris from day one. Responded to my emails within 24 hours and gave clear-cut advice. Glad to have my issue resolved finally — would recommend him to anyone needing an expungement. ”
Chris Perri has decades of experience practicing expunction and non-disclosure law and has played an important role in shaping how these procedures are understood and applied throughout Texas. He served as lead counsel in a case that significantly altered state expungement law and has presented seminars for Austin-area criminal defense attorneys on effective strategies for clearing and sealing criminal records.
For many years, Chris Perri served as a founding partner and supervising attorney for the University of Texas School of Law’s Expunction Project, a pro bono initiative that helps individuals in Travis County pursue expunctions each year. In recognition of this work, he received the Excellence in Public Interest Award (EPIA) from Texas Law Fellowships. He has also been regularly selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list and earned other professional distinctions.
A criminal arrest record should not define your future. If you are unsure whether you qualify for an expungement or non-disclosure order in Travis, Hays, Williamson county, or nearby, our team can help. Chris Perri is prepared to review your case, and then, if eligible, guide you through every step of the expunction or record sealing process. If you are ineligible for either, our firm can recommend potential post-conviction relief options to explore, too.
With a deep understanding of the nuanced Texas laws and varied local county policies governing record clearing and sealing, Chris Perri is committed to helping clients swiftly move forward with clarity, dignity, and a true fresh start. He is an award-winning attorney with decades of experience handling trial, expunction, record sealing, and post-conviction matters. Now, he’s ready to speak with you.
To schedule your free consultation, call Chris Perri Law at (512) 269-0260 today.
