A past arrest or deferred adjudication should not define your future. Even when a case is resolved, the record can still appear on background checks and create obstacles in employment, housing, and professional licensing. An Order of Non-Disclosure allows eligible individuals to seal certain criminal records from public view and regain control over their reputation.
David Smith Law Firm helps clients throughout Houston seek nondisclosure relief with precision, discretion, and a clear legal strategy focused on protecting long term opportunities.
An order of non-disclosure seals your criminal record from public access, including employers, landlords, and most background check agencies. Law enforcement and certain government entities may still view the record, but it is hidden from private parties.
Whether you have a job offer on the line right now or simply want to put a past record behind you for good, the process starts with a single conversation. David Smith Law Firm offers a free, confidential consultation to assess your eligibility and explain exactly what a nondisclosure order would mean for your record.
David Smith Law Firm understands that your future matters. The firm evaluates your eligibility, prepares a comprehensive petition, and represents your interests throughout the legal process.
With a focus on discretion, accuracy, and strategic advocacy, the firm works to seal eligible records and help clients rebuild their professional and personal lives with confidence.
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Even if you were never convicted even if your case was dismissed after completing deferred adjudication the arrest and proceedings can still appear on standard background checks. Employers, landlords, and professional licensing boards in Texas regularly access this information. A sealed record removes it from those searches.
Benefits of Expunction or Non-Disclosure:
Eligibility for a nondisclosure order in Texas depends on how your case was resolved, the type of offence, and whether any required waiting periods have passed. The following circumstances generally support eligibility:
Step 1: Eligibility Review: The process begins with a thorough review of your criminal history including the specific offence, how the case was resolved, whether deferred adjudication was completed, and how much time has elapsed. Eligibility under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 depends on these specific facts, not general rules.
Step 2: Petition Preparation and Filing: Once eligibility is confirmed, a petition for an order of nondisclosure is prepared and filed in the appropriate court, the same court that handled the original case. The State must be notified, and in some cases, a hearing may be required before the judge signs the order.
Step 3: Order Issued and Agencies Notified: When the judge signs the order, the court clerk sends copies to the Department of Public Safety and all relevant agencies within 15 business days. DPS then seals the record and notifies required federal agencies. The sealed record is removed from most public background check databases.
A nondisclosure order seals your record from public view but if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or you completed a pretrial diversion programme, you may qualify for an expunction, which destroys the record entirely. Expunction provides a stronger remedy where it is available.
Learn about Expunction in Texas
