Legal Research Guides > Expunctions & Nondisclosures (last updated: 03/13/2024)

General Information

Texaslawhelp.org contains several research articles about Expunctions & Nondisclosures in Texas. Read More.

• Clear or seal your record? Expunctions vs. Nondisclosures in Texas

• Expunction and Nondisclosure Orders in Harris County

• Nondisclosure Orders and Sealing Your Criminal Record in Texas

Blogs from Ex Libris Juris

• Crim Pro: Basics of Criminal Procedure (February 17, 2023).

• New Focused Resource Center (FRC) at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library (October 25, 2022).

• Harris County Misdemeanor Court Launch Fresh Start Program (May 11, 2022)

• Fresh Starts: Expunctions and Nondisclosures in Texas (November 4, 2021)

Texas Laws

Code of Criminal Procedure

• Expunction of Criminal Records—Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55

  • Procedure for Expunction— Art. 55.02

  • Right to Expunction—Art. 55.01

• Expunction of Criminal Records—Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55A

• Limitation—Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 12

  • Felonies—Art. 12.01

  • Misdemeanors—Art. 12.02

Texas Government Code

• Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas—Tex. Gov't. Code § 411

Texas Family Code

• Records; Juvenile Justice Information System—Tex. Fam. Code § 58

Court Rules

• Texas Rules of Evidence

• Rules of the Judicial District of Harris County (Rules of the Criminal Trial Division)

• Court Policies and Procedures (Harris County)

• The Local Rules of the District Courts Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County, Texas

 *Be sure to check the website of the court to which you are assigned. Policies, procedures, and requirements may vary from court to court.

Forms

Online

• Clean Slate Texas

• Clear Your Record Harris County

• How to Ask for a Nondisclosure Order - Seal Your Criminal Record

• I need to clear an arrest from my record (expunction)

• Rules & Forms: Orders of Nondisclosure - Texas Judicial Branch

• Texas Fresh Start Guide

Print Collection (Available at the Law Library)

• Texas Criminal Forms (Front Desk).

• Texas Practice Guide Criminal Practice & Procedure (KFT 1775 .E45)

• Texas Practice Series Criminal Forms And Trial Manual (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote.)

• West’s Texas Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)

Print Resources

• The Criminal Law Handbook: Know your Rights, Survive the System, By Paul Bergman & Sara J. Berman, Nolo. The following are some helpful chapters to read: Chapter 22 Sentencing, Sealing or Expunging Arrest Records, Chapter 26 Juvenile Courts and Procedures, and Chapter 27 Prison Rules. Also available through the Law Library’s EBCSO Legal Information Reference Center.

• Expunctions in Texas By Texas Young Lawyers Association Family Law Committee. The Texas Young Lawyers Association published this comprehensive guide to the expunction process in Texas, offering valuable insights and practical information for individuals seeking to clear their criminal records in the state.

• Expunction & Nondisclosure By Andrea Westfield, Texas District & County Attorneys Association. This book offers insightful information on the legal aspects of expunging and nondisclosure of criminal records.

• Locked Out: A Texas Legal Guide to Reentry By Beacon Law and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid. This resource was created by Beacon Law and the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid. For more information about expunctions & nondisclosures read Chapter 5. You can also find more information about pardons in Chapter 5. (For information about this book, please read this Ex Libris Juris Blog)

• O’Connor’s Texas Criminal Codes Plus By George McCall Secrest, Jr. This book contains the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Penal Code. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library).

• O’Connor’s Texas Crimes & Consequences By T.B. Todd DuPont II. See Chapter 13 titled Sealing Records for more information regarding nondisclosures. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library)

• Rights of Prisoners, By Michael B. Mushlin, Tomson Reuters. This book provides information about prisoner’s rights. Read Chapter 12 for Access to Courts and access to law libraries while in prison. (For information about this book, please read this Ex Libris Juris Blog)

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Resources: The State Bar of Texas requires licensed attorneys to take 15 credits of CLE each year.  CLE courses typically focus on a particular area of law and might include legal theory, practice tips and guidance, developments in the law, or legislative updates. CLEs are secondary resources that are especially useful in that they provide current information about legal topics and issues.

• State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Course

• State Bar of Texas Criminal Law 101

Related Topics

• Basics of Legal Research

• Occupational Driver’s Licenses