All arrests in Texas are entered into a statewide database and may show up on a background check sometime in the future. That can be problematic as many people will automatically judge you if they see that you were once under arrest.
Under certain conditions, it may be possible to have records of previous arrests expunged. Outlined below are some of the key benefits of this.
Job applications
Employers in Texas are entitled to carry out criminal background checks, and most tend to do this. In theory, having a record of arrest alone shouldn’t prevent an individual from gaining access to opportunities, but it often does. Prospective employers aren’t always willing to listen to the full version of the story. Instead, they tend to make decisions based on preconceptions about those who have been arrested in the past.
Or, in some cases, the employer or recruitment agency working on their behalf uses a computer program to filter applications, and it may automatically filter out anyone with a record of an arrest.
Removal of stigma
There are a lot of stigmas attached to having a criminal record. Those who have been arrested in the past may find themselves being ostracized by employers, friends and even family members. If an individual has been unfairly judged on the basis of a previous arrest, this can be a difficult burden to shake off. An expunction offers the person a chance to be judged on their character, rather than on documentation relating to a previous arrest.
The expunction process can be complex but it is certainly worthwhile. It will benefit you to seek some further legal guidance to find out whether this might be an option in your case.