Skip to Content
Top
Nondisclosures Put Unparalleled Defense In Your Corner

Nondisclosure Orders in Texas

Put Over 50 Years of Experience on Your Side

Having a criminal record follows you for the rest of your life. Even misdemeanor crimes can affect whether you are offered a job, approved to rent a home, or accepted into a college program. 

Fortunately, Texas law provides for an order of nondisclosure for certain crimes, sealing any aspect of the crime from the public’s eyes, with some exceptions. An order of nondisclosure doesn’t erase a conviction from your criminal record, but it can seal the details of an eligible crime. 

Nondisclosure laws can be found in Texas Government Code Section 411, Subchapter E-1.

Attorney David Sloane can file petitions for expunctions and nondisclosures. Call (817) 349-7118 or send us a message online to see if you might be eligible.

What Is the Difference Between Expunction and Nondisclosure?

An expunction order removes the record of your arrest as if it never happened. You can legally say you were never arrested for that crime if it has been expunged. Under oath, you need only say that the matter was expunged.

Generally, a record can only be expunged if one of the following occurs:

  • The charge was dismissed without action or dropped.
  • You were acquitted at a trial.
  • You were convicted but later found innocent.
  • You were pardoned.

A nondisclosure order does not erase the arrest and crime from your record. Instead, the record is sealed and generally not shared with the public.

A nondisclosure order will keep the arrest and conviction from the following:

  • Credit reporting agencies
  • Private screening and background check companies
  • Private investigators
  • Most Employers
  • Landlords

What Offenses Qualify for Record Sealing?

Not all crimes are eligible for nondisclosure in Texas.  A crime may qualify for nondisclosure if you pled guilty or no contest to an offense and then successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision (probation). 

A waiting period of up to five years may apply, depending on the crime. Any offense that requires you to register as a sex offender is not eligible.

Other ineligible crimes include:

  • Domestic violence
  • Aggravated kidnapping
  • Murder
  • Stalking
  • Endangering a child
  • And trafficking of persons

In addition, if you have ever been convicted of one of these crimes, you will not be eligible to have nondisclosure awarded for another offense. You also won’t qualify for nondisclosure of one crime if you are convicted of another (except a traffic ticket resulting in a fine only) during any required waiting period.

Permitless Carry Law Expands Expunction, Nondisclosure

Effective Sept. 1, 2021, Texas no longer requires its residents to obtain a license to open or conceal carry handguns as long as they are at least 21 years old and meet other legal requirements. 

House Bill 1927 specifically included a provision that allows for the possibility of expungement for those convicted of the offense before the new law went into effect. The Texas District & County Attorneys Association estimates about 130,000 Texans may be eligible. 

Those not eligible to have their weapons charge expunged may qualify for an order of nondisclosure. If you want to erase or seal an unlawful carry conviction on your criminal record, contact the Sloane Law Firm.

Continue Reading Read Less

Our Settlements & Verdicts

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • Cases Dismissed Possession of a Controlled Substance Under One Gram and Unlawful Carry of a Weapon
  • Case Dismissed, Motion to Suppress Granted Possession of Marijuana <2oz
  • Reduced to Misdemeanor Assault on a Security Officer
  • Case Dismissed Possession of a Controlled Substance Under One Gram in a Drug Free Zone
  • Case Dismissed Assault Bodily Injury - Family Member

Testimonials From Real People

See What Clients Have Said About Us
    "David was very diligent about my case, and the prosecution did NOT want to argue with him."
    If you get arrested in Texas for anything David is probably going to be your best bet, especially if it is marijuana or DUI related. I am from Florida, and I got popped in Texas with a little over 20 pounds of cannabis, 400 grams of Hash, and an AR-15 type assault rifle. My bail was set at 50,000 dollars, and if convicted, I could have done 20+. I am affiliated with NORML, and heard through a network of people that David would be the right guy for the job, and he was. David was very diligent about my case, and the prosecution did NOT want to argue with him. He subpoena'd all the records from every single arrest made by the arresting officer in the last year, and worked a whole bunch of other magic, I have no idea what he did, but it worked. David is also affiliated with NORML, and on top of being a badass lawyer, he is a pretty cool guy to chill with. As soon as I met David, I did not speak with any other lawyers, I knew I was in good hands. After being charged with one first degree felony, one-second degree felony, and 2 third-degree misdemeanors, with David handling my case, he ended up getting all charges dropped except the hash charge, which got reduced AND deferred. The end result was a 1500 dollar fine, some court and lab fees, and 120 hours of community service, and since it was deferred, I am on probation until I finish the hours, but after I finish, I can get off early. Basically, I was facing 20+ years, and David pretty much got me off with what could be loosely regarded as a slap on the wrist. David handles all kind of cases from money laundering to marijuana cases, to dui's...with this guy by your side you know you are in good hands. Thanks David
    - Parker
    "Best lawyer in the DFW metroplex hands down"
    David and his staff are excellent in helping you understand everything that is going on. If you want a lawyer to fight for you and not do the bare minimum then David Sloane is the one to contact. I went from having a state jail felony and a class b misdemeanor, to just a class c misdemeanor no felony. He also got it set up to where my record is sealed. I really have no idea where I would be or what the outcome would have been if I didn't choose David as my attorney. Olga is also very helpful as well and does an excellent job of letting you know when and where you need to be, and also helps you understand things going on with your case. I give David and his team 5 stars because of how they treated me and what an outstanding job David did. Thank you so much for your help.
    - JC
    "If you’re looking for someone that’s gonna have your back and someone that’s going to get the best deal for you, this man right here is your guy."
    If you’re looking for someone that’s gonna have your back and someone that’s going to get the best deal for you, this man right here is your guy. I can be in jail right now but if it wasn’t for him and what he the amount of work he puts in the city I am not I am very thankful he will work you and your budget time isn’t a factor but the sooner the better 1000 stars
    - Quaran
    "David is a great lawyer that knows what he is doing and cares."
    I just finished up with an assault charge and David’s office made it as easy as they could. David is a great lawyer that knows what he is doing and cares. I would recommend him to anyone.
    - Josh
    "Highly recommended! Worth every penny."
    Highly recommended! Worth every penny. I had possession of marijuana under 2 ounces and he got it reduced to drug paraphernalia and a fine. He definitely knows what he is doing and is very creative with it!
    - Michael
    "David Sloane is hands down the most professional, trustworthy, and hard working attorney I've ever known."
    David Sloane is hands down the most professional, trustworthy, and hard working attorney I've ever known. He has helped my family time and time again. We only trust him with our legal issues and you should too. You will not be disappointed with the results. He will fight tooth and nail for you and will not stop. Choosing any other attorney is a mistake.
    - Matt
    "He moves mountains and he is straight forward with everything"
    He is a great attorney I would recommend him to anyone. He moves mountains and he is straight forward with everything and he gives you all the options and lets you choose and he will advise you for what he thinks and more than likely right or you can go with what you want and both of you will roll the dice together and go with that option if you want to he does not strong arm you into anything. And after meeting and seeing people talk about him what he does in work and outside of work he is an all around great man. and would highly recommend retaining him.
    - Garret
    "David Sloane is an absolute genius in the courtroom. He is BY FAR, the ONLY lawyer I would want by on side."
    David Sloane is an absolute genius in the courtroom. My case was incredibly complicated, to say the least. Lasting nearly a year and spanning over 5 states; Mr. Sloane refused to settle. He fought diligently for my rights. Proving he genuinely cares for his clients and the impact these cases can have on their lives. He goes above and beyond to educate himself and stay current on a rapidly changing medicinal industry. He is BY FAR, the ONLY lawyer I would want by on side. **Thank You again Mr. Sloane, you truly saved me!**
    - Mary