In today’s digitalized world, you should be aware that courts provide arrest records in the same manner that they report convictions. When employers, landlords, or pretty much anyone else runs a background check on you, it falls on the background screening company to interpret that reported information. This means that if you’ve been arrested, even if you weren’t formally charged, the indiscretion will still be visible to anyone who cares enough to look for it.
In Texas, you’ll be able to rid your record of a crime if you weren’t charged and you’ve met the specified waiting periods. If no charges have been filed after the waiting period has passed, you can likely obtain an expunction.
So, what exactly are these waiting periods?
For Class C Misdemeanors, you must wait 180 days from the date of your arrest. Class C is the lowest level criminal offense in the state of Texas and is usually punishable by a fine up to $500. There is no jail time for Class C Misdemeanors.
For Class A and B Misdemeanors, you must wait one full year. Class A Misdemeanors are the most serious of misdemeanor charges and can garner you a year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Class B Misdemeanors come next and can carry a punishment of 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.
For felonies, it’s a bit longer—you have to wait a full three years from the date of your arrest. Felonies are the most serious types of offenses and can get you between 2 and 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
For these waiting periods to be valid, the case cannot still be pending and the police cannot be actively investigating you. If you believe you’ve met these waiting periods and you’re ready for a fresh start without the roadblock of a criminal record, get in touch with Easy Expunctions. We can streamline the process and get you a second chance quickly for a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer.
