Can you get a DWI expungement in Texas? When it comes to expunging a DWI in the state of Texas, there’s bad news and good news. The bad news is that a DWI conviction can never be expunged from your criminal record in Texas. The good news? Depending on the specifics of your case, you may have options for expunging your record after being arrested and charged with a DWI.
Here’s what you need to know when it comes to getting a DWI expungement in Texas, so you can finally move on with your life.
Do you qualify for a DWI expungement in Texas?
While a DWI conviction can never be expunged, a DWI arrest and charges can be erased if your case meets certain conditions. The most pressing of these expunction conditions is whether or not your DWI arrest results in any type of final conviction. Even if your attorney argues your case down to a lesser charge (e.g. reckless driving), a conviction after a DWI arrest makes expunging any charges impossible in the state of Texas.
Here’s how to get DWI charges off your record, provided your case meets one of the following conditions:
Your case was dismissed
If the judge dismisses your DWI case altogether, your charges and arrest are eligible for a DWI expungement in Texas, since they did not result in a final conviction. The notion of “final conviction” also applies to reduced and/or shifted charges.
For instance, if your attorney is able to reduce your charges down to a Class-C traffic violation, and you subsequently fulfill dismissal requirements for those charges, the original DWI arrest may then be eligible for expunction. However, any conviction for “reduced” charges such as obstruction of a highway or reckless driving will render your DWI ineligible for expunction in Texas. This also applies to any final conviction as the result of a plea deal.
You received a “not guilty” verdict
If you fight your case and receive a not guilty verdict in a court of law, your arrest and charges may be eligible for a DWI expungement in Texas.
You were arrested as a minor
If your first and only DWI offense occurred when you were a minor, and you successfully fulfilled all subsequent court orders, your charges may be eligible for expungement as an adult.
Your case was deferred
According to Texas law, a judge may issue first-time offenders a deferred adjudication probation, in which the accused completes probation in the absence of a conviction. If you successfully complete your probation, you may also be eligible to file a petition of non-disclosure, which seals your record and prevents it from being released by public agencies.
How long does a DWI remain on your record?
How long does a DWI stay on record? Unlike other states, Texas does not have a “washout period” for DWI convictions. This means that if you are found guilty and convicted of a DWI in Texas, it will remain on your record for your entire lifetime. If you are suspected, arrested, and charged with driving while intoxicated, you need to contact an experienced DWI defense attorney FAST. This is the only way to stop a conviction and prevent this DWI from tainting your record for the rest of your life.
Believe us, you cannot afford the Texas DWI fines cost or the consequences of having a criminal record. Finding an attorney who knows exactly how to fight a DWI in Texas is your best chance at freedom. That attorney is Mark Thiessen.
Need a DWI Expungement in Texas? Call Thiessen Law Firm Today for Help.
We won’t lie to you –– if you are arrested and charged with a DWI, the process of getting it off of your record can be an intimidating and drawn-out process. However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. With the right DWI defense attorney, a positive outcome is possible.
If you need a criminal record or DWI expungement in Texas, Houston DWI lawyer Mark Thiessen and the team at Thiessen Law Firm can help. He has a proven track record of getting our clients the results they deserve including a “not guilty” verdict. Just because you’re in a bad situation now doesn’t mean it has to impact the rest of your life.
Call Thiessen Law Firm at 713-864-9000 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation today. Your future freedoms may depend on it.
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