San Antonio Expungement Lawyer

Texas Expungement — What It Does, Who Qualifies in Bexar County, and Why a Dismissal Isn’t Enough

A dismissal in Bexar County court does not clear your record. The arrest and the dismissed charge remain visible on criminal background checks — including the DPS criminal history database, commercial background check services used by employers and landlords, and FBI records — until a court issues a formal expunction order under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. Expungement is not automatic. It requires filing a petition, serving all relevant agencies, conducting a hearing in Bexar County District Court, and obtaining the judge’s order. Once the order is issued and served, all records of the arrest — police reports, court records, DPS files, and agency files — are legally destroyed.

Expungement is available for arrests that did not result in conviction: cases dismissed by the DA, cases dismissed by the court, acquittals, and certain arrests where no charges were filed. Successful completion of deferred adjudication is not expungeable — it qualifies instead for a non-disclosure order under Government Code §411.072, which seals the record from most public view but does not destroy it. DWI cases are not eligible for non-disclosure even after deferred adjudication completion. A DWI conviction can never be expunged. Only a dismissed DWI — through suppression or DA agreement — is expungeable.

We evaluate expungement eligibility on every case we close through dismissal. If you have a past arrest in Bexar County — whether we handled the case or not — call 210-692-4913 to find out whether your record qualifies for expungement or non-disclosure.

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Expungement Eligibility — What Qualifies and What Doesn’t

Eligibility depends on the outcome of the case, the charge type, and the waiting period. Not every dismissed charge is immediately eligible — and some charges are permanently ineligible regardless of outcome.

Situation	Eligible?	Process	Result
Case Dismissed by DA or CourtCode Crim. Proc. Ch. 55 — most common eligibility	Eligible	Petition + Bexar Co. hearing	All records destroyed
Acquittal at TrialCode Crim. Proc. §55.01(a)(1)	Eligible	Petition after acquittal	All records destroyed
Arrest with No Charges FiledCode Crim. Proc. §55.01(a)(2) — waiting period applies	Eligible*	Waiting period + petition	All records destroyed
Deferred Adjudication CompletedGov. Code §411.072 — non-disclosure, not expungement	Non-Disclosure	Petition for sealing order	Record sealed from public • Not destroyed
DWI Conviction (any level)No deferred + no non-disclosure = permanent	Not Eligible	N/A — permanent record	Only dismissal produces expungement eligibility
Felony ConvictionConviction = ineligible regardless of offense	Not Eligible	N/A — permanent record	Governor pardon required for consideration

Expungement lawyer San Antonio — Texas Chapter 55 expungement vs non-disclosure and Bexar County district court process

Expungement vs. Non-Disclosure — Two Different Outcomes in Bexar County

Expungement under Texas Chapter 55 destroys the record. After an expunction order is issued by a Bexar County District Court judge and served on all relevant agencies — DPS, local law enforcement, the DA’s office, commercial background check companies — the agencies are legally required to delete or destroy all records of the arrest. Once expunged, you can legally deny that the arrest occurred on most applications. The record is gone.

Non-Disclosure under Government Code §411.072 seals the record from public view but does not destroy it. Commercial background check services cannot display the sealed record. Most employers and landlords will not see it. However, certain agencies — law enforcement, the military, licensing boards for sensitive professions — can still access sealed records. And DWI deferred adjudications are not eligible for non-disclosure at all, even after successful completion.

The practical guidance for most Bexar County clients: a dismissed charge is far more valuable than a deferred adjudication completion, because only a dismissal produces full expungement eligibility. We evaluate expungement versus non-disclosure on every case we handle and advise on which outcome is achievable and which path produces the most complete record protection.

Expungement attorneys San Antonio — Mark Hull and Allison Tisdale clearing criminal records in Bexar County courts

The Expungement Process in Bexar County

We handle the complete process — from eligibility evaluation through the final court order — in Bexar County courts.

01

Evaluate eligibility before filing anything

We review the complete case history: the charge, the disposition, the date of dismissal or acquittal, and any waiting period requirements. Some dismissed charges have mandatory waiting periods before expungement can be filed. We identify the earliest eligible filing date and any issues that could affect the petition.

02

Draft and file the Chapter 55 petition in Bexar County District Court

The expungement petition is filed in the Bexar County District Court with jurisdiction over the original arrest. We draft the petition, identify all agencies holding records of the arrest, and serve all required parties. Incomplete service is one of the most common reasons expungement petitions are challenged or fail.

03

Appear at the Bexar County expungement hearing

The court typically schedules a hearing within 30 days of filing. We appear on your behalf. In uncontested cases the hearing is brief. If the DA’s office objects — which is uncommon on clearly eligible cases — we argue the petition.

04

Obtain and serve the order on all agencies

Once the judge signs the expunction order, we serve it on every agency named in the petition: DPS, SAPD, BCSO, the Bexar County DA, and every commercial background check company identified. Each agency must destroy its records within 180 days. We track compliance.

05

Evaluate non-disclosure for deferred adjudication cases

When expungement is not available because the case resolved through deferred adjudication, we evaluate whether a non-disclosure order under §411.072 is available. Non-disclosure seals the record from most commercial background checks and we handle the filing in Bexar County courts.

Expungement in Bexar County — trial-tested, 20+ Years in These Courts

Mark Hull has 20+ years of Texas criminal defense experience and has filed expungement petitions and represented clients through the expungement process in the Bexar County District Courts for over 20 years. A properly filed and served expungement petition is the only way to legally destroy a Bexar County arrest record.

Allison Tisdale prosecuted cases as a Texas state prosecutor before joining the defense. We evaluate expungement eligibility on every dismissed case we handle and file petitions as soon as clients are eligible. We carry a 5.0 rating across 363 Google reviews and Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021.

◆ Trial-Tested Criminal Defense

20+ years of Texas criminal defense experience. Bexar, Travis, Williamson, and Hays county courts. Mark Hull.

◆ Former State Prosecutors on Staff

Mark Hull and Allison Tisdale prosecuted criminal cases in Texas courts before joining the defense. They know how DA Joe Gonzales’s office builds cases — and where they fall apart.

◆ 20+ Years in Bexar County Courts

Regular appearances at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center. We know the prosecutors, the judges, and how the Bexar County docket moves.

◆ Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021

Bexar County, Hays County, Travis County, and surrounding Central Texas courts.

Over 930dismissal or rejected cases since 2021

5.0Google Rating (363 Reviews)

20+Years in Bexar County Courts

Expungement FAQ — San Antonio & Bexar County

Common questions about clearing criminal records in Bexar County courts.

Does a dismissed charge automatically come off my record in Texas?+

No. A dismissal in Bexar County court does not automatically clear your record. The arrest and the dismissed charge remain visible on DPS criminal history records and commercial background checks until a Bexar County District Court issues a formal expunction order under Texas Chapter 55. Expungement requires a filed petition, a hearing, and a signed court order. Without those steps, the dismissed charge stays on your record indefinitely.

Can a DWI be expunged in Texas?+

Only a dismissed DWI can be expunged. If your Bexar County DWI was dismissed — through a suppression motion, DA agreement, or jury acquittal — you are eligible for expungement under Chapter 55 after any applicable waiting period. A DWI conviction cannot be expunged — ever. Texas law does not permit non-disclosure orders for DWI cases, even after deferred adjudication completion. A DWI conviction creates a permanent record with no clearing mechanism.

What is the difference between expungement and non-disclosure?+

Expungement destroys the record — all agencies holding records of the arrest must delete or destroy them. After expungement, you can legally deny the arrest occurred on most applications. Non-disclosure seals the record from public view but does not destroy it — law enforcement, licensing boards, and certain employers can still access sealed records. Expungement is available for dismissed charges and acquittals. Non-disclosure is available for certain completed deferred adjudications.

How long does expungement take in Bexar County?+

After we file the petition in Bexar County District Court, the court typically schedules a hearing within 30 days. Once the judge signs the expunction order, agencies have 180 days to comply. The complete process from filing to full record clearance typically takes 6 to 8 months. Some cases with contested petitions or compliance issues take longer. We monitor the process through completion.

Can I expunge a dismissed assault or drug charge from my Bexar County record?+

Yes — if the charge was dismissed. Dismissed assault charges, dismissed drug possession charges, dismissed DWI charges, and virtually any other dismissed charge from Bexar County courts can be expunged under Chapter 55. The key requirement is that no conviction entered. If the case was resolved through deferred adjudication rather than outright dismissal, expungement is not available — non-disclosure may be.

Does expungement clear my record from commercial background check companies?+

Yes — if properly served. The expunction order must specifically identify and serve all commercial background check companies that hold records of the arrest. We identify the relevant companies and serve the order on each. They are legally required to destroy their records within 180 days. Incomplete service is one of the most common reasons commercial background checks still show expunged records. We track compliance on every expungement we handle.

How do I find out if my Bexar County arrest is eligible for expungement?+

Call 210-692-4913. We evaluate expungement eligibility at no charge as part of every initial consultation. We need the case number or the arrest date and charge, and we can typically determine eligibility quickly. If you were arrested in Bexar County and the case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal, there is a strong likelihood the record is expungeable. Call us and find out.

Expungement Resources — San Antonio & Bexar County

Related pages covering criminal defense in San Antonio and Bexar County.

Criminal Defense Hub

All practice areas — every dismissed case is an expungement candidate.

DWI Defense

Only a dismissed DWI is expungeable in Texas. We pursue dismissal on every DWI.

Drug Charges Defense

Dismissed drug charges can be fully expunged under Texas Chapter 55.

Assault Defense

Dismissed assault charges — including family violence — are expungeable.

Theft Defense

Dismissed theft charges qualify for expungement in Bexar County.

San Antonio Criminal Defense

Main hub for all criminal defense services in Bexar County.

What Our Clients Say

5.0 stars • 363 Google reviews from clients across Bexar County, Hays County, Travis County, and Central Texas.

RL

Ronnicka Lopez

★★★★★

Google

“After two years, the case was dismissed and dropped. They made this whole ordeal easy, kept me in the loop, told me exactly what to expect. Mrs. Allison is such an amazing and sweet lady — the whole team.”

BS

Blake Shires

★★★★★

Google

“My case was dismissed. Mr. Hull was patient, attentive, and consistently communicative from start to finish. He explained every step and made sure I felt supported throughout.”

SH

Shawn Hallman

★★★★★

Google

“These attorneys were responsive, intelligent, and relentless. I appreciated how they always had a plan and stayed one step ahead. If you’re facing criminal charges, you want them on your side.”

210-692-4913

San Antonio Expungement Lawyer — Clear Your Bexar County Record

Texas Expungement — What It Does, Who Qualifies in Bexar County, and Why a Dismissal Isn’t Enough

Expungement Eligibility — What Qualifies and What Doesn’t

Expungement vs. Non-Disclosure — Two Different Outcomes in Bexar County

The Expungement Process in Bexar County

Expungement in Bexar County — trial-tested, 20+ Years in These Courts

Expungement FAQ — San Antonio & Bexar County

Expungement Resources — San Antonio & Bexar County

Criminal Defense Hub

DWI Defense

Drug Charges Defense

Assault Defense

Theft Defense

San Antonio Criminal Defense

What Our Clients Say

Ready to Clear Your Bexar County Record? Call Us Today.