title: Petition for Expungement
state: TX
type: court-doc
date: [FILL: date, e.g., 2023-10-01]
IN THE [FILL: APPROPRIATE COURT, e.g., DISTRICT COURT] OF [FILL: COUNTY, e.g., TRAVIS COUNTY], TEXAS
CAUSE NO.: [FILL: cause_number, e.g., D-1-DC-23-123456]
[FILL: Petitioner_full_name, e.g., John Doe],
Petitioner
v.
The State of Texas
PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT
I. Petitioner Information
[FILL: full_name], hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, is a resident of [FILL: city], [FILL: county] County, Texas, with a mailing address of [FILL: mailing_address]. Petitioner is filing this petition pro se.
II. Statement of Facts
Petitioner states that on [FILL: date_of_arrest_or_charge, e.g., 01/01/2015], Petitioner was arrested or charged in [FILL: county_of_arrest] County, Texas, for [FILL: offense_description, e.g., misdemeanor possession]. The case was handled in [FILL: court_of_original_jurisdiction, e.g., the District Court of Travis County]. Petitioner alleges that the arrest or charge qualifies for expungement under Texas law because [FILL: reasons_for_expungement, e.g., the charge was dismissed and no final conviction resulted].
III. Legal Basis
This petition is filed pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 55.01 et seq., which governs the expungement of criminal records in Texas. [NOTE: STATE-SPECIFIC] In Texas, expungement is available only for certain qualifying events, such as acquittals, dismissals without a finding of guilt, or successful completions of pretrial diversion programs, and requires a showing that the petitioner has not been convicted of a felony in the past five years (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 55.01(a)). Petitioners must file in the district court of the county where the offense occurred, and the court may require a hearing.
IV. Prayer for Relief
Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:
- Grant an order of expungement for all records and files relating to the arrest or charge described above;
- Order all relevant law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts to return or destroy all records pertaining to this matter; and
- Grant any other relief that the Court deems just and proper.
V. Verification
I, [FILL: Petitioner_full_name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Executed on [FILL: date] in [FILL: county] County, Texas.
_______________________________
[FILL: Petitioner_full_name]
[FILL: Petitioner_address]
[FILL: Petitioner_phone_number]
[FILL: Petitioner_email]
[NOTE: STATE-SPECIFIC] In Texas, this petition must be verified by the petitioner and may require notarization depending on local court rules. Check with the specific court for requirements. Additionally, a filing fee of approximately $300–$400 may apply, varying by county (e.g., Travis County District Court fee is around $350). The statute of limitations for filing an expungement petition is generally within the time frames outlined in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 55.01, but delays could affect eligibility.
Templates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.