How to Limit or Remove Arrest Records Published Online
TexArrest publishes booking events from public records, not case outcomes.
In Texas, an arrest does not automatically disappear if a case is dismissed, reduced, or completed through probation.
However, Texas law provides two legal remedies that may limit or remove public access to arrest records:
- Expunction
- Order of Nondisclosure (Sealing)
This page explains the difference, who may qualify, and how each option works under Texas law.
Expunction (Complete Removal)
What an Expunction Does
An expunction permanently deletes arrest records from:
- Law enforcement databases
- Court records
- Background check systems
- Public websites that rely on official records
If granted, the arrest is treated as if it never occurred.
Who May Qualify for Expunction
You may qualify if any of the following apply:
- Charges were dismissed and the required waiting period has passed
- You were found not guilty
- You were arrested but never charged
- Charges were no-billed by a grand jury
- You were wrongfully arrested
- You completed a pretrial diversion program (not probation)
⚠️ Important:
A conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere does NOT qualify for expunction.
Waiting Periods (Common Scenarios)
Waiting periods vary by offense type, but common examples include:
- Class C misdemeanor: 180 days after dismissal
- Class A or B misdemeanor: 1 year after dismissal
- Felony: 3 years after dismissal (unless waived by the prosecutor)
Some cases allow immediate filing.
How to Get an Expunction
- Obtain your criminal history and case disposition
- File a Petition for Expunction in the county where you were arrested
- Serve the petition on all agencies holding records, including law enforcement, the prosecutor, and DPS
- Attend a court hearing (if required)
- If granted, agencies are legally required to delete records
Many people use an attorney, but self-filing is allowed in Texas.
Free Eligibility Screening Tools
Some organizations provide free, anonymous tools that help individuals understand whether they may qualify for expunction or record sealing under Texas law.
One example is Texas Fresh Start, a public legal education tool developed by a university law program. These tools ask general questions about arrest dates, case outcomes, and offense types to provide informational guidance only.
Important: These tools do not file paperwork, do not guarantee eligibility, and do not replace advice from a licensed Texas attorney.
TexArrest is not affiliated with any eligibility screening tools and does not verify or rely on their results.
Order of Nondisclosure (Record Sealing)
What Record Sealing Does
An order of nondisclosure seals the record from public view, including:
- Public searches
- Employers
- Landlords
- Online background checks
Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access the record.
The record is not deleted, but it is hidden from the general public.
Who May Qualify for Sealing
You may qualify if:
- You completed deferred adjudication probation
- The offense is eligible under Texas law
- You successfully completed probation
- You waited the required waiting period
🚫 Not eligible if:
- You received straight probation or jail time
- The offense is violent, sexual, or otherwise excluded
- You violated probation
Important Clarifications
- Dismissed cases are not automatically removed
- Probation ≠ dismissal
- Deferred adjudication ≠ conviction, but still requires action
- Online screening tools provide general information only
- TexArrest does not decide eligibility — courts do
- TexArrest responds only to valid court-ordered expunctions and sealing orders
If You Receive a Court Order
If you have a signed Order of Expunction or signed Order of Nondisclosure, you may submit it through the Record Review & Removal Request form.
Once verified, TexArrest will take appropriate action consistent with Texas law.
Why TexArrest Provides This Information
TexArrest promotes public transparency and accountability while also providing accurate educational information about lawful remedies available under Texas law.
We encourage individuals to pursue court-ordered legal remedies rather than relying on pay-for-removal websites that offer no legal effect.
Legal Notice
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
TexArrest is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, legal opinions, or eligibility determinations. Court eligibility and outcomes depend on individual case facts and judicial review.
Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship or guarantees removal, sealing, or expunction of any record.