Travis County Expungement Attorneys (Austin)

Reviewed: May 28, 2026

Quick answer: Austin & Travis County Expungement in Texas

Austin is the capital of Texas and one of the fastest-growing major cities in the United States. Travis County hosts the Texas state courts and a highly active criminal docket. Expunction petitions under Article 55 and non-disclosure petitions under Government Code Chapter 411 are filed with the Travis County District Clerk. Austin's tech-heavy economy makes background check relief especially impactful for many residents — a non-disclosure or expunction opens doors to roles at major employers along the Corridor. Key points: Petitions filed with Travis County District Clerk (1000 Guadalupe St, Austin) Serve the Travis County DA, Austin PD, Travis County Sheriff, DPS, and all required agencies Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) serves income-qualifying Austin and Travis County residents

At a glance

✓ Petitions filed with Travis County District Clerk (1000 Guadalupe St, Austin)
✓ Serve the Travis County DA, Austin PD, Travis County Sheriff, DPS, and all required agencies
✓ Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) serves income-qualifying Austin and Travis County residents
✓ Austin Community Court diversion completions may create expunction eligibility
✓ Timeline: 4–6 months for an uncontested expunction petition

Important: This page provides general legal information about expungement and record sealing laws. It is not legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility rules vary by state, county, and individual circumstances. Always consult a licensed attorney before taking any legal action.

Filing in Travis County District Court

Expunction and non-disclosure petitions for Travis County cases are filed with the Travis County District Clerk at 1000 Guadalupe Street, Austin. Criminal district courts in Travis County handle felony and most serious misdemeanor matters. The petition must name and serve the Travis County DA, Austin Police Department (APD), Travis County Sheriff, Texas Department of Public Safety, and all other agencies named in the petition.

Travis County has specialty courts including the Austin Community Court (which handles some first-offender misdemeanor diversions), the Travis County Drug Court, and the Veterans Court. Completion of Austin Community Court's diversion programs can create expunction-eligibility scenarios that differ from the standard Article 55 pathway — an attorney can identify the right route for your specific case.

Non-disclosure for deferred adjudication in Travis County

Deferred adjudication is a common disposition in Travis County. Upon successful completion and discharge, a non-disclosure petition under Government Code Chapter 411 can seal the case from most public and private background checks. For first-time misdemeanor deferred adjudications (excluding family violence, sex offenses, and other enumerated crimes), § 411.072 provides automatic non-disclosure after two years — no court filing needed.

For deferred adjudication felonies, the 5-year waiting period applies from discharge of community supervision, and a petition must be filed in the Travis County criminal district court that handled the original case. Given Austin's tech industry, non-disclosure for a deferred adjudication felony can be transformative for someone seeking employment with major Austin employers.

Free help in Austin and Travis County

Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) operates an office in Austin and serves income-qualifying Travis County residents with civil legal assistance including expunction and non-disclosure. The University of Texas School of Law operates pro bono clinics that occasionally assist with criminal record matters. The Austin Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service offers reduced-cost consultations. Texas Appleseed, based in Austin, tracks expunction policy and provides information about accessing relief.

Statutes cited

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 55 (Expunction of criminal records) — Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 55
Texas Government Code § 411.071–.0731 (Orders of Non-Disclosure) — Tex. Gov't Code § 411.071–.0731

Frequently asked questions

How long does expunction take in Travis County?

Most uncontested Travis County expunction petitions resolve in 4 to 6 months from filing. The court schedules a hearing at least 30 days after all respondents are served. Accurate and complete service on every required agency — APD, Travis County Sheriff, DPS — is the most important step to avoid delays.

Can I expunge a marijuana arrest from Austin?

Most marijuana arrests in Austin that did not result in conviction are eligible for expunction under Article 55. If your case was dismissed or never charged, it is likely eligible. If you were convicted, contact an attorney to assess whether your specific offense qualifies for any reclassification or standard expunction pathway.

Does a Texas non-disclosure help with tech company background checks in Austin?

Yes — a non-disclosure order seals the record from public access and most private background check vendors. Most private employers in Austin, including tech companies, use third-party vendors that check public criminal records; a non-disclosure removes the case from those checks. Federal employers and DOD contractors have separate disclosure rules.

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