L and L Law Group handles Texas expunction (Chapter 55A) and nondisclosure (§411.
Texas offers two main record-clearing remedies, with very different effects and eligibility rules. The table below summarizes how they compare.
Source: TX Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55; TX Government Code §411.071-.0775. Automatic non-disclosure under §411.072 (misdemeanor) and §411.0728 (first-offense DWI) eliminates the petition requirement for some cases.
L and L Law Group handles Texas expunction (Chapter 55A) and nondisclosure (§411.0735) petitions, including SB 731 (2023) expanded eligibility. Free 24/7 review. (214) 466-1398.
L and L Law Group is a Frisco-based criminal defense firm. Reggie London prosecuted in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office before joining the defense bar; Njeri London is the firm's managing attorney. Together they have defended thousands of cases across Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and the surrounding DFW counties. We answer the phone at any hour because that is when most cases need defense work.
“SB 731 changed Texas record-clearing law materially in 2023. Cases that were ineligible two years ago may be eligible now. We re-screen every old case file we receive — the new statute opens doors that used to be locked.”
“A clean Texas record is undervalued. People who think their case is buried are surprised at every job application, every rental check, every concealed-carry application. The cleanup process is procedural and worth doing right.”
This page was written and reviewed by Njeri London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043266, and Reggie London, State Bar of Texas No. 24043514. Last reviewed: April 2026.
Texas offers two record-clearing remedies: expunction (full erasure) under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A for acquittals, dismissals, and certain deferred outcomes; and nondisclosure (sealing) under Government Code §411.0735 for many deferred-adjudication completions and qualifying misdemeanor convictions. SB 731 (2023) materially expanded eligibility.
Texas Senate Bill 731, effective in 2023, materially expanded record-clearing eligibility. Many previously ineligible misdemeanor and low-level felony cases became eligible for petition-based or automatic sealing. The reform addressed long-standing gaps in Texas record-clearing law and shifted eligibility for thousands of cases statewide.
Cases that were ineligible two years ago should be re-screened under current law. We routinely review old case files to identify eligibility under the new statute. The eligibility analysis depends on offense type, disposition, prior history, and waiting periods — none of which are intuitive without statutory review.
Expunction destroys the records. Agencies must literally destroy or return the relevant files. After expunction, you may legally answer "no" to most arrest questions. The record ceases to exist in any practical sense.
Nondisclosure seals the records. Private background-check services should not see the case. Law enforcement, the courts, and certain professional-licensing boards (medical, nursing, education, security, real-estate) retain access. Federal background checks for security clearance or firearm purchase may still see sealed records.
Eligibility differs significantly. Most acquittals and dismissals qualify for expunction. Most successful deferred-adjudication completions qualify for nondisclosure. Convictions are generally not expungeable but, post-SB 731, many low-level convictions are now eligible for nondisclosure after waiting periods.
The petition must list every case, every disposition, and every respondent agency holding records. A defective petition delays relief by months. Common pitfalls include missing agencies (DPS, FBI, local PD, sheriff, court, private vendors), incorrect waiting-period calculations, and failure to identify subsequent convictions that disqualify the petitioner.
The State has the right to oppose. The hearing is generally short but contested issues can extend it. After the order signs, agencies have a statutory window to comply. Many agencies require active follow-through; we provide it as part of every engagement.
On the call, we screen your case history against current law — Chapter 55A expunction, §411.0735 nondisclosure, §411.0726 DWI nondisclosure, and SB 731 (2023) expansions. Many previously ineligible cases now qualify.
We pull your DPS Computerized Criminal History (CCH), confirm all dispositions, identify every agency holding records (DPS, FBI, local PD, sheriff, court, private background-check vendors).
The petition must list every case, every disposition, every respondent agency. Defective petitions delay relief by months. We draft to local-court formatting and file in the correct county.
The State has the right to oppose. We attend the hearing and argue any contested issues — waiting-period defects, ineligible offenses, constitutional challenges where appropriate.
After the order signs, we serve every respondent agency and follow up to verify destruction or sealing. Many agencies require active follow-through; we provide it.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Eight-year-old DWI deferred adjudication that kept showing up on background checks. They petitioned for nondisclosure under the new SB 731 rules and within 90 days the record was sealed.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Three old misdemeanor cases from college. None of them eligible under the old law. SB 731 changed the rules and they got all three sealed in one petition.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Identity-theft case where I was the victim and somehow ended up arrested. They expunged the entire arrest record under Chapter 55A. It is gone.”
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.
Expunction under Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A destroys eligible records permanently — they cease to exist. Nondisclosure under Government Code Chapter 411 seals records from public-facing background checks but they remain accessible to law enforcement and certain licensing boards.
Acquittals, dismissals, no-bills, identity-theft cases, certain pardoned cases, and qualifying deferred-adjudication outcomes. Convictions are generally NOT expungeable. The petition must be filed in the county where the case occurred.
Texas Senate Bill 731 (88th Legislature, effective 2023) materially expanded record-clearing eligibility. Many previously ineligible misdemeanor and low-level felony cases became eligible for petition-based or automatic sealing. Cases that were ineligible two years ago should be re-screened under current law.
Waiting periods vary: misdemeanor deferred-adjudication is typically immediate after discharge; felony deferred is 5 years after discharge. Misdemeanor convictions under §411.0735 require 5 years after sentence completion. DWI nondisclosure under §411.0726 requires 2 years (or 5 with interlock).
Often yes, with proper drafting. The petition must list every case, every agency holding records, and every qualifying disposition. Defective petitions delay relief by months. Multi-case petitions are technically demanding but cost-efficient when feasible.
An expunged record should not appear in any database. A nondisclosure-sealed record should not appear on private background-check services but remains visible to law enforcement, certain professional-licensing boards, and federal background checks for security clearance or firearm purchase.
Yes. The petition must be filed in the Texas county where the case occurred. We routinely handle expunction and nondisclosure for clients who have moved out of state.
Some misdemeanor convictions under SB 731 became eligible for automatic sealing without petition after the waiting period. The mechanism is administrative; agency compliance is uneven. We confirm sealing has actually occurred for clients in this category.
Texas expunction and nondisclosure orders typically issue within 60 to 120 days of filing, depending on the county and agency response. Agency compliance after the order can take an additional 60 to 180 days under the statutory destruction window.
L and L Law Group offers flat-fee pricing for expunction and nondisclosure with payment plans. Court filing fees are separate. Call (214) 466-1398 for a confidential consultation and quote.
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
L and L Law Group, PLLC attorneys are licensed in Texas. Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) is the attorney responsible for the content of this page. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514). None of the attorneys at L and L Law Group, PLLC are Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization unless specifically and separately stated.
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