After you are arrested for a crime, there is a record of that arrest that can follow you around for the rest of your life. A criminal history can make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a job, rent an apartment, be accepted into college, or take out a loan. This can be especially problematic if you have been arrested on charges related to marijuana. Even though marijuana is considered by most people to be a non-harmful drug, and it has been legalized in some states, it is still an illegal substance in Texas. Arrests, charges, or convictions for marijuana possession or distribution can create a permanent black mark on your record.
Fortunately, in some cases, you may be able to have your record "expunged," which means that an arrest or a criminal charge will be erased from your criminal history. If you are concerned about how a marijuana arrest may affect your future, you will want to understand whether expunction will be a solution that will allow you to clear your record.
Requirements for Expunction in Texas
To be eligible for an expunction in Texas, you must meet certain criteria. Expunction is generally an option if you were not convicted of a crime. For example, you may be eligible for an expunction if you were arrested but never charged with a crime or if you were found not guilty or your case was dismissed. You may also receive an expunction if you were convicted of a crime, but you later received a pardon.
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