If you plead guilty to certain offenses (Class B misdemeanor, Class A misdemeanor or some felonies), received and completed deferred adjudication probation, the law now allows you to prevent the disclosure of your criminal records to the general public (although licensing agencies and private entities responsible for safety and security will still have access to this information). A petition for non-disclosure is very valuable as employers, rental agencies, and lenders all use background checks when making business and rental decisions.

If a judge signs an Order of Non-Disclosure, Texas DPS and other public agencies are prohibited from releasing information about your probationary punishment. Contact The Law Office of Shahin Zamir as soon as you have completed your probation to ask if you are eligible to file a Petition for Non-Disclosure.

For most misdemeanor cases, a petition for an order of nondisclosure can begin immediately after probation is completed. For some misdemeanors, there is a two year wait, and for most felonies there is a five year wait. There are some criminal offenses that are not eligible for petitions for non-disclosure. In addition, if you committed a certain offense that is not eligible, you may not be eligible for a petition for non-disclosure for an unrelated offense that normally would qualify. The qualifications can get very confusing and only a knowledgeable and experienced criminal attorney can fully explain all your options. If you would like to speak to a knowledgeable, dedicated and aggressive Houston, Texas non-disclosure attorney at The Law Office of Shahin Zamir, please call our office now at (713) 223-8900.