A conviction of driving while intoxicated in Texas has consequences beyond the court-issued punishment. The conviction will show up on your criminal record when someone conducts a background check on you. A DWI record could prevent you from getting a new job, bank loan or lease on an apartment. Proposed Texas legislation would allow one-time offenders to seal their DWI records. The “Second Chance Bill” has passed the Texas House of Representatives and Senate and is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval. The bill has received bipartisan support, based on the idea that an isolated DWI incident should not punish a person for the rest of his or her life.

How It Works

The bill would amend the Texas code regarding the nondisclosure of non-violent class C misdemeanors and DWI convictions with a blood alcohol content level of less than 0.15. Texas passed a similar bill in 2015 that applied to non-violent class A and B misdemeanors. A person could petition a court to seal the record of his or her DWI conviction in Texas, as long as:

Expungement can be considered such a strange word, but it is one that could make all the difference when facing your future without the stigma of a juvenile criminal conviction, unjust arrest, DUI charge, or criminal prosecution acquittal. From Arizona to Washington, 20 states in all, including Texas, offer some form of expungement (also known as expunction) and nondisclosure of records procedures for both misdemeanor and felony relatable charges.

If you reside in Texas and want to learn more about the expunction of criminal records, under Texas Title 1, Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 55 Expunction of Criminal Records, the following summary may provide insight as to how you and your expungement attorney can legally safeguard your future.

Defining Expungement