Dallas Non-Disclosure Order Lawyer

If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you’ve likely already faced considerable consequences. Whether you’ve lost your freedom and liberty and or been thrown into financial strain because you had to pay fines or restitution, you should be able to rebuild your life after you’ve fulfilled your punishment. Unfortunately, those who have been convicted of crimes still face the consequences of their previous convictions long after they’ve served their time and paid their fines.

The residual effects of a criminal conviction can severely impact your ability to move on with your life, provide for yourself, and be a functioning member of society despite your best efforts. However, the state of Texas provides an avenue by which you could have your criminal conviction sealed. This is known as an order of non-disclosure. While it isn’t guaranteed, the benefits of sealing the offense in your criminal record by obtaining an order of non-disclosure are worth pursuing.

The process of seeking an order of non-disclosure isn’t easy. It can be confusing, and you don’t want to delay finally moving beyond your conviction. The Dallas expunction and record clearing lawyers of the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter have experience helping those who have been convicted of crimes when they want to request and receive orders of non-disclosure. Call us at (214) 845-7007 or contact us online today for a free confidential consultation with our dedicated nondisclosure lawyers.

What Is Non-Disclosure?

An order of non-disclosure allows for those who have been convicted of certain crimes to have the record of their criminal conviction sealed. Most entities who request your criminal record will not be able to see the criminal conviction for which the order of non-disclosure applies. Orders of non-disclosure don’t apply to every criminal offense that you may have on your record. If you’ve been convicted of multiple criminal offenses, you would have to request a separate order of non-disclosure for each offense.

What Is the Benefit of Non-Disclosure?

When you’re convicted of a crime, your main concern is what your immediate punishment will be. You probably can’t even think beyond any judgment as to what your conviction could mean for your future. As if potentially serving a jail or prison sentence and having to pay a fine isn’t devastating enough, your conviction can impact your life for years after you’ve repaid your debt to society.

Many employers conduct background checks that include a review of your criminal history before extending an offer of employment. You could be denied employment if a prospective employer is notified that you have a criminal conviction on your record. A record of conviction for certain criminal offenses may bar you from employment within a slew of careers and industries.

Landlords and rental property management companies also conduct background checks on potential tenants. Depending on the offense you were convicted of, you may be denied a lease to live in certain apartments and housing.

Additionally, you may be ineligible for some government assistance and benefits programs. For example, you might not be able to obtain financial aid for a post-high school education or vocational programs. You also may not qualify for government-funded or subsidized housing.

By having your criminal conviction sealed, prospective employers and landlords wouldn’t be made aware that you were previously convicted of the offense for which you were granted the non-disclosure order. This can significantly improve your employment opportunities and housing options. You may be able to take advantage of some government programs (you’d still have to satisfy other eligibility criteria).

Is My Conviction Eligible for Non-Disclosure?

Not every criminal conviction can be sealed. Texas law allows for convictions of certain offenses to be sealed based on the type of order of nondisclosure you may be seeking. There are ten different types of non-disclosure orders and each has its own eligibility requirements. Generally, however, you are ineligible to receive an order of non-disclosure if you’ve either been placed on deferred adjudication for or have been convicted of any of the following:

• Sexual offenses that require you to register on the sex offender registry
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Trafficking or continuous trafficking of persons
• Child abandonment or endangerment
• Injury to a child, disabled person, or elderly person
• Murder
• Capital murder
• Stalking
• Family violence offenses, including violation or repeated violations of court orders or bail conditions
• Violation or repeated violations of court orders or bail conditions for trafficking, stalking, sexual assault, or sexual abuse offenses

If you’re a veteran who has completed a reemployment program, the convictions or deferred adjudications for the above offenses may not prevent you from getting an order of non-disclosure.

You aren’t eligible to petition the court for an order of non-disclosure before the required waiting period has passed for the type of non-disclosure order you are requesting. Furthermore, you are ineligible to be granted an order of non-disclosure if you commit any non-traffic violation offense during the time you were placed on deferred adjudication.

What Do I Have to Do to Obtain an Order of Non-Disclosure for My Conviction?

You have to file a petition to request an order of non-disclosure with the same court in which you were convicted. When you file your petition, you may also be required to pay a filing fee.

For many individuals who have been convicted of crimes and are already dealing with the repercussions of their conviction, such as difficulty finding employment, you might not be able to afford to pay the filing fee. You may submit a statement informing the court that you can’t afford the filing fee (Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs). Along with your petition, you may be required to submit other documents, such as a copy of the judgment in your case. The non-disclosure lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will make sure you have the necessary documentation to submit with your petition and ensure that you’re requesting the correct order.

Contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter Today

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing consequences from a criminal conviction even though you’ve already completed your punishment, you may be able to have your conviction record sealed. Call the Dallas non-disclosure order attorneys of the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today at (214) 845-7007 for a free consultation to discuss how you may be able to close the chapter on your prior criminal conviction.