Law Office of Ryan Rouz
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Texas Expunction Lawyer

Expunctions & Orders of Nondisclosure Statewide · Flat Fee · Free Review

Clear or seal a Texas arrest or criminal record — and unlock better jobs, housing, and peace of mind.

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Ryan Rouz, Texas attorney — Law Office of Ryan Rouz

Attorney Ryan Rouz

About

A practice built around clearing records.

I've practiced law in Texas since 2014, and record clearing — expunctions and orders of nondisclosure — is a dedicated focus of my practice, not a sideline.

Record clearing is a procedural area of Texas law where outcomes turn on technical detail — eligibility dates, the precise language of the petition, and the right remedy for the right disposition. It is not the part of the practice most criminal defense attorneys focus on day-to-day, and it is not an area where general-purpose research tools, online forms, or AI-generated guidance consistently produce a reliable answer.

That's the reason this side of my practice is dedicated to it. Whether the goal is an expunction, an order of nondisclosure, or a clear answer about which remedy actually applies to your situation, you'll get a careful, current read on your case before you commit to anything.

Accepted legal-plan attorney

Ryan Rouz takes clients through prepaid legal and legal-insurance plans, including MetLife Legal Plans, ARAG, and Rocket Lawyer. If you have legal-plan coverage through your employer, your consultation and some services may be covered.

Practice Areas

Texas record-clearing remedies I handle: expunction and nondisclosure.

Two record-clearing remedies in Texas, plus the procedural work around them. If your case fits outside this scope, I'll refer you to someone who handles it.

Expunction (Chapter 55A)

For arrests that ended in dismissal, acquittal, a grand jury no-bill, or certain other qualifying outcomes — expunction physically destroys the record. Background checks come back clean, and you can legally deny it ever happened.

Order of Nondisclosure

For deferred adjudication and certain other dispositions — nondisclosure seals the record from most private employers and landlords while keeping it visible to law enforcement. Different eligibility, different waiting periods, different paperwork.

Eligibility Reviews

Before you pay a retainer, we'll run your case against the statute. If your record is borderline — wrong charge level, wrong waiting period, wrong disposition — you'll know up front, in plain English, and you'll keep the consultation either way.

Statewide Filings

I file in any Texas county — Harris, Dallas, Bexar, Tarrant, Travis, El Paso, and the smaller ones too. The filing fee and procedural rules vary by county; we account for both before we agree on a price.

Eligibility

Who qualifies for a Texas expunction?

Texas expunctions are governed by the recodified Chapter 55A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, in effect since January 1, 2025. Eligibility turns on how your case ended. You may qualify for an expunction if:

  • Your charge was dismissed — and the dismissal was not part of a plea bargain on another offense from the same arrest.
  • You were acquitted — found not guilty at trial, or acquitted on appeal.
  • A grand jury returned a no-bill — declining to indict you.
  • You completed a qualifying pretrial diversion or intervention program.
  • You were convicted but later pardoned, or found actually innocent.
  • You were arrested but never formally charged, and the applicable waiting period has passed.

Eligibility also depends on the charge level and whether other offenses arose from the same arrest — which is exactly why a free eligibility review exists. Tell me what happened and I'll give you a direct answer on whether your record qualifies, and for which remedy.

Which remedy

Expunction vs. order of nondisclosure.

Texas offers two ways to clear a record, and they are not interchangeable. An expunction destroys the record; an order of nondisclosure seals it. Which one applies depends almost entirely on how your case was resolved.

  Expunction Order of Nondisclosure
What it does Physically destroys the records of the arrest and charge Seals the record from public view — it is not destroyed
Typical qualifying outcomes Dismissal, acquittal, grand jury no-bill, certain Class C deferred dispositions, pardon or actual innocence Successfully completed deferred adjudication for many (not all) offenses
Who can still see it No one — the record is destroyed Law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing and government agencies; most private employers and landlords cannot
Can you legally deny it happened? Yes Generally no — but it is hidden from most background checks
Governing law Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter E-1

Not sure which column your case falls into? That's exactly what the free eligibility review answers.

Pricing

What a Texas expunction costs.

Flat fees. No hourly billing.

Flat-fee schedule

  • Standard Typical timeline: 5–6 months (150–180 days). + $400 each additional case $1,395
  • Expedited Front-of-the-line handling — we push the courts for an earlier hearing date and check in more often. + $400 each additional case $2,000
Payment plans available
How it works

How the Texas expunction process works, step by step.

01

Free case review

You send the basics — name, county, what happened. I tell you whether it qualifies and which remedy fits, at no cost.

02

Drafting & filing

Once you sign the engagement letter, I draft your petition and file it with the appropriate Texas court along with the county filing fee.

03

State response

Within roughly 30–45 days, the State files its response — either agreeing the case is clearable or raising objections that need to be addressed.

04

Hearing before the judge

Assuming no objections from the State, the petition is set in front of a judge for review and signature. Most matters don't require you to appear.

05

Order signed — record cleared

If the judge and the State agree, the order is signed and your record is cleared. I send you the certified copy and notify the agencies that hold your record.

06

Verification & post-clearance protection

I verify your records have actually been cleared. If you fail a background check after a granted order — meaning an entity disclosed information they no longer should have — I'll file suit on your behalf to enforce the order.

FAQ

Texas expunction & nondisclosure FAQ.

A handful of the questions I get most often. If yours isn't here, ask me directly — there's no such thing as a stupid question about your record.

An expunction (expungement) is a court order that permanently destroys all records of your arrest, charge, or criminal proceeding. Once granted, you can legally say you were never arrested — on job applications, apartment applications, loans, and so on. It is the strongest form of record relief available in Texas.

Many dismissed cases qualify, but it depends on how the case was dismissed, the charge type, and whether any other offenses arose from the same criminal episode. Common qualifying situations include outright dismissals, acquittals, completed pretrial diversions, and grand jury no-bills. I will tell you exactly where your case lands during a free case review.

An expunction destroys all records — you can deny the matter ever happened. An order of nondisclosure seals the record from most employers, landlords, and banks, but certain government agencies can still see it. Expunction is stronger; nondisclosure covers a wider set of dispositions (including deferred adjudication). I'll tell you which remedy you qualify for during your case review.

Standard cases typically run 150–180 days (5–6 months) from filing to a signed order. Some counties move faster; certain expedited paths can land in 60–150 days depending on court schedule and statutory waiting periods. I keep you informed at each step and handle all communication with the courts so you don't have to chase clerks.

A limited expunction applies when you were charged with multiple offenses arising from the same episode but only some were dismissed. It clears the dismissed charges while leaving any conviction in place. It's a partial — but often very valuable — remedy, and it's a common situation I handle.

The case review is free. If we move forward, you get a written engagement letter with a flat legal fee plus the county filing fee broken out — no hourly billing, no hidden costs. If your record doesn't qualify, you owe nothing, and I'll tell you why and what your options are (including waiting periods that might change the answer later).

Usually, no. The vast majority of expunctions and nondisclosures are decided on the petition and supporting documents — no hearing, no testimony. If a hearing is required (rare, and almost always tied to a contested fact or a county practice), I appear on your behalf. You don't need to take a day off work for routine matters.

Get in touch

Free case review.

Tell me a little about your case. I'll review it personally and write back within one business day — usually faster.

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Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. No representation begins until both parties sign a written engagement letter. Information shared here is treated as confidential.

Call (469) 437-5674 Free consultation