Documents and facts to review
Build the arrest and case history from official records. Keep deferred-adjudication documents and final discharge information where applicable.
The next question
Ask what the proposed order does to records and who may retain access. Do not assume an outcome for one charge resolves every record from the arrest.
Keep the outcome and record together
Save the judgment, final disposition and any later order in the same case packet. A background report can help identify a problem, but it may not contain the documents needed to resolve it. Record unknown facts and ask for the missing material before relying on an eligibility conclusion.
A way to organize your review
Gather the facts behind the question
Read the diagram as text
- Court and case
- Identify the jurisdiction and case number.
- Disposition
- Find the final result for each charge.
- Sentence
- Collect the sentence terms and completion evidence.
- Later history
- Keep later orders and other relevant case records.
Common question
What should I verify before using a form?
Match the form to the court, case outcome and requested remedy. Use the issuing authority's current instructions for attachments, fees and filing procedure; a general guide cannot establish eligibility.
Official resources
Consult the issuing authority for current forms and local procedure.
- Texas State Law Library: Expunctions and nondisclosureguides.sll.texas.gov