Houston DWI Lawyer | DWI Defense in Houston, TX

As a Houston DW Attorney people regularly call me or reach this blog trying to get a motion for non disclosure for their DWI.  I hope by stating this very clearly these type of inquiries will be reduced.   A DWI probation Does Not qualify for a motion for non disclosure.  The only way to "clear your record" regarding a DWI is if the case was dismissed or you were found not guilty by a jury.  The proper vehicle to get the DWI off your criminal history when your case is dismissed is by filing a expungement two years after your arrest in the County Civil District Court where your arrest occurred.

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Our Houston Criminal Defense Law Firm is frequently very successful when filing a Motion for Non Disclosures for clients that qualify, however sometimes people assume that they can take care of this themselves, and ultimately are unsuccessful.  We often advise them, after they seek our services that they were not prepared for court in the first place. Like most things in life preparation is a key to success.

Typically, we know the requirements for each court and we discuss them with our clients before the filing of the motion.  For example, if our client received a deferred adjudication for a drug case  we will inform them of the possibility that they will have to submit to a drug test before the court grants the motion.  Also, Judge Michael Fields always asks the person if they committed the offense before he grants the motion for non disclosure.  I am always disappointed and certainly caught off guard when someone is denied clearing their record because they could not pass a drug test or say that they are not guilty for something that they previously admitted their guilt.

If you need help with your motion for non disclosure please call our law firm at (713) 242-1779 or visit our website.

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Since this is a daily question in my practice as crimianl defense attorney in Houston I wanted to give more details about  Motion for Non Disclosures.

In Texas, employers, and most landlords investigate your criminal record. Despite a deferred adjudication not being a conviction landlords and employers generally treat it the same  as a conviction. That means that people are often unable to rent apartments or get jobs because of the deferred adjudication on their criminal records.

When I started practicing law a deferred adjudication remained on a person's criminal record forever.  Luckily, in 2003 the Texas state legislature changed the law concerning deferred adjudication records.

Today, a person who has successfully completed a deferred adjudication probation for a class B misdemeanor, a class A misdemeanor, or a felony, may (depending on the offense committed) be able to ask the judge of the court of original jurisdiction that put him on deferred to sign an "order of nondisclosure" barring governmental agencies from disclosing the existence of the charge or the deferred adjudication sentence.

For most misdemeanors, the defendant can petition for the order of nondisclosure immediately after the deferred adjudication is successfully completed and the case is dismissed. For others, a defendant must wait five years after the deferred adjudication is completed and the case is dismissed to file for an order of nondisclosure.  For felonies, the wait is five years after the deferred adjudication is completed and the case is dismissed. Some offenses cannot be sealed with an order of nondisclosure.

Most importantly, a person may deny the occurrence of the arrest and prosecution unless the information is being used against him in a subsequent criminal proceeding.

If you received deferred adjudication, but did not successfully complete it, you will not be eligible for a motion for non disclosure. If you receive "straight probation", you are convicted of the crime with which you are charged, and become ineligible for a motion for non disclosure.

If you need assistance with clearing your record in Houston, Harris County, Texas please contact our law firm at (713) 242-1779 or visit our website at www.mmalaw.com.

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As a Houston Criminal Lawyer I get asked this question routinely..."what is the difference between an expungement and a motion for non disclosure?"  This is like comparing gold and silver  Both are precious metals, but one is more sought after and harder to obtain.  Similarly, an expungement is more sought after and much harder to get then a motion for non disclosure.

First, you are only able to get an expungement if your criminal case was dismissed.  There are essentially two ways that your cases are dismissed.  A prosecutor may choose to dismiss your case or a grand jury may refuse to indict your case.  Most people believe that once their case is dismissed the case  is expunged.  This is incorrect.  In fact, once your case is dismissed you must wait until the statute of limitations has expired.    Once the statute of limitations has expired you are able to file the expungement petition with the local district court of the county where the case was heard.

If you are found not guilty at trial your case is typically expunged automatically by the court.  Your trial attorney should explain this process to you.  Our firm provides this service at no additional cost to you.

The least common way that people get their cases expunged is after successfully completing  a class "c" deferred adjudication.  Again, you must wait until the statute of limitations has expired to file for an expungement of your criminal arrest.

The best thing of getting the expungement is that you can legally state that you have never been arrested.  Your record is wiped clean!!!

Conversely, you may get a motion for non disclosure even if your case was not dismissed.  The only way to qualify for a motion for non disclosure is if you have successfully completed a deferred adjudication.  Most misdemeanors qualify for a motion for non disclosure immediately.  There are some misdemeanors that are ineligible for a motion for non disclosure.  The most common misdemeanor that is ineligible for a motion for non disclosure is the crime of family violence assault. 

Similarly, most felony cases may be eligible for a motion non disclosure, but you must wait at least two years after completion of the deferred adjudication.  There are lot more felony crimes that ineligible for a motion for non disclosure.  For instance, any crime that involves sexual registration would be ineligible for a motion for non disclosure.

Once the motion for non disclosure is granted by the court it keeps the general public from discovering your criminal history.   This allows a lot of people better job opportunities, better credit, and rent an apartment . 

Despite having a motion for non disclosure granted law enforcement and other government agencies will have access to your criminal history.  Regrettably, this prevents a lot of people from obtaining or keeping  those type of jobs. 

If you need assistance with clearing your record in Houston, Harris County, Texas please contact our law firm at (713) 242-1779 or visit our website.

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Since I am criminal defense attorney in Houston, Texas almost daily I get some form of the following question… I got probation a while ago and I want to know how I can get it off my record. First, it must be determined what type of probation you received. There are two types of probation in Texas. “Regular Probation” is a conviction and can not be “cleared” from your record. Second, some deferred adjudications may be “cleared” from your record. The instrument used to “clear” a deferred adjudication from your record is called a Motion for Non Disclosure. Some deferred adjudications may be “cleared” immediately after sucessful completion. Others may take as long as five years and some are never eligible for a Motion for Non Disclosure. Please keep in mind that most government agencies will still be able to see that deferred.

There a lot of attorneys that tell their clients that a deferred adjudication is not a conviction. This is correct, but anyone with access to public records will find your deferred adjudication until you have your Motion for Non Disclosure granted by a court. Therefore, if possible get your Motion for Non Disclosure filed as soon as possible, if you are eligible.

If you need assistance with clearing your record in Houston, Harris County, Texas please contact our law firm at (713) 242-1779 or visit our website at www.mmalaw.com.

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