Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
A criminal record can follow you for years, affecting your ability to secure employment, find housing, or obtain professional licenses. At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, our Fort Worth expunction attorneys understand how past mistakes can impact your future.
We help clients throughout Tarrant County clear their criminal records through expunction and non-disclosure orders. Backed by decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Worth, we know exactly which cases qualify for record clearing and how to navigate the complex legal process.
Don’t let your past define your future. Call (972) 528-0478 today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Fort Worth record-sealing attorneys.
Texas law provides two primary methods for clearing your criminal record: expunction and non-disclosure orders. While both can help you move past previous charges, they work differently and have distinct eligibility requirements.
Expunction is the complete removal of your criminal record from all government databases and files. When a record is expunged, it’s as if the arrest and charges never occurred. All agencies that have records of the case—including police departments, courts, and the Texas Department of Public Safety—must destroy their files.
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, expunction provides the most comprehensive form of record clearing. Once expunged, you can legally deny that the arrest or charges ever happened, even under oath.
A non-disclosure order seals your criminal record from public view but doesn’t completely destroy it. Law enforcement agencies and certain government entities can still access sealed records, but employers, landlords, and the general public cannot see them during background checks.
Non-disclosure is governed by Texas Government Code Chapter 411 and is available for cases that don’t qualify for full expunction. It’s often used for deferred adjudication cases where charges were ultimately dismissed.
| Aspect | Expunction | Non-Disclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Record Destruction | Complete removal from all databases | Records sealed from public view |
| Government Access | No access by any agency | Limited government access remains |
| Legal Response | Can deny arrest ever occurred | Must acknowledge if asked by law enforcement |
| Eligibility | More restrictive requirements | Broader eligibility criteria |
| Processing Time | 60-180 days typically | 30-90 days typically |
Determining eligibility is the first step in clearing your criminal record. Our Fort Worth expunction lawyers carefully review each case to identify the best path forward.
You may qualify for expunction if:
⚠️ Important: You cannot have been placed on deferred adjudication and still qualify for expunction. Even if deferred adjudication was successfully completed, expunction is not available.
Non-disclosure may be available if:
Some violent crimes, sexual offenses, and certain family violence cases are not eligible for non-disclosure orders.
DWI cases have special considerations under Texas law. Generally:
Our Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer team has handled numerous DWI record cases and can evaluate your specific situation.
Additional reasources: https://mcconathylaw.com/dwi-process/dwi-record-expunging/
Clearing your record opens doors that may have been closed due to past charges.
Most employers conduct background checks before making hiring decisions. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 69% of organizations conduct background screenings on all job candidates.
A cleared record means:
Housing applications become easier when landlords can’t see past charges, as many property management companies automatically reject applicants with criminal records.
Beyond practical benefits, clearing your record provides:
The record-clearing process requires precise legal knowledge and attention to detail. Our experienced Fort Worth attorneys handle every aspect of your case.
We conduct a thorough review including:
Local Court Knowledge: Expunction hearings in Tarrant County typically occur in County Criminal Courts 1-10 (floors 5-8 at Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 401 W. Belknap Street). We’re familiar with each judge’s preferences and procedural requirements.
Proper preparation is critical for successful record clearing. We handle:
📋 Required Documentation for Fort Worth Cases:
🔍 Attention to Detail: Minor errors in petitions can result in delays or denials. Our experience with Fort Worth court clerks ensures your paperwork is completed correctly the first time.
Court Filing Process: Most expunction petitions are filed in the County Criminal Court where your original case was heard. We handle electronic filing through the Tarrant County e-filing system and coordinate with court staff for scheduling.
Not all expunction cases require court hearings, but when they do, preparation is essential. Fort Worth expunction hearings typically occur at:
📍 Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center
401 W. Belknap Street, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Floors 5-8: County Criminal Courts 1-10
Security Check: Arrive 20-30 minutes early for courthouse security screening
🅿️ Parking Information:
⏰ Hearing Schedule: Most expunction hearings occur 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM on Mondays and Fridays, depending on court calendar.
During hearings, we:
What to Expect:
Expunction hearings are typically brief (10-15 minutes) unless the state objects. Judge preferences vary – some prefer detailed written submissions while others focus on oral argument. Our knowledge of individual judges helps us prepare accordingly.
Contact our Fort Worth expunction attorneys to start your case today. Call (972) 528-0478 for a confidential consultation.
Choosing the right attorney makes a significant difference in the success and speed of your record-clearing case.
Our team has handled hundreds of expunction and non-disclosure cases in Tarrant County, understanding:
📋 Fort Worth Case Processing Timeline:
Booking Process Context: If you were arrested in Fort Worth, you likely went through:
Understanding where your records exist helps us ensure complete clearing. Local jails that may have records include:
Every case is unique, and we develop customized approaches based on:
Our experience spans various types of cases across different industries and circumstances:
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy has extensive criminal defense experience, giving us comprehensive knowledge of how charges progress and which cases qualify for clearing. Our criminal defense background helps us identify opportunities that may be available in your case.
📊 Local Experience: We maintain extensive experience handling expunction and non-disclosure cases in Fort Worth courts, working with clients from diverse backgrounds including healthcare professionals, teachers, and business owners seeking to clear their records for licensing and employment opportunities.
Qualification depends on your case outcome and waiting periods. Generally, dismissed charges, acquittals, and cases where no charges were filed may qualify. We provide free consultations to evaluate your eligibility.
No. Expunction completely destroys records, while sealing (non-disclosure) hides them from public view but maintains limited government access. Expunction is more comprehensive but has stricter requirements.
DWI convictions cannot be expunged. However, dismissed DWI charges may qualify for expunction, and some deferred adjudication DWI cases might qualify for non-disclosure after waiting periods.
Most expunction cases take 60-180 days from filing to completion, depending on court schedules at Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center and case complexity. Factors affecting timeline:
Non-disclosure orders typically process faster, usually within 30-90 days, since they don’t require the same level of agency coordination.
The main difference is completeness. Expunction destroys all records as if the arrest never happened, while non-disclosure seals records from public view but maintains limited government access.
Take control of your future by clearing your criminal record. Don’t let past charges continue limiting your opportunities when legal options may be available.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy offers:
✅ Free initial consultations to evaluate your case
✅ Experienced Fort Worth representation in Tarrant County courts
✅ Comprehensive case handling from evaluation to completion
📞 Call: (972) 528-0478
📧 Email: Contact us online
🏢 Office: Serving Fort Worth and all of Tarrant County
🚗 Visiting Our Office: Our Fort Worth location is easily accessible from major highways including I-35W, I-30, and Loop 820. We’re located near downtown Fort Worth, close to the Historic Tarrant County Courthouse (100 W. Weatherford Street) and Sundance Square entertainment district.
Nearby Landmarks:
🅿️ Client Parking: Free parking is available at our office location – no need to worry about downtown parking meters or fees like you’d encounter at the courthouse.
Don’t wait—start your fresh start today. The sooner you begin the process, the sooner you can move forward without the burden of past charges affecting your future opportunities.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
