How can I clear my criminal record in Texas?
There are several ways to clear your criminal arrest record in Texas. Whether you petition the Court for an Expunction, Sealing, Pardon, or Motion for Non Disclosure really depends on the case and how it was disposed of, rather than your preference for an Expunction or Motion for Non Disclosure.
For either an Expunction or Motion for Non Disclosure, the defendant must have the case and offenses dismissed. That means, if your case was not dismissed, then you cannot get an Expunction or Motion for Non Disclosure. A small number of exceptions apply, such as an underage drinking conviction or an offense that was granted a Pardon.
If your case was dismissed after Deferred Adjudication on a Class B Misdemeanor, or higher (more serious) offense, then you will not be able to get an Expunction. Instead, a Motion for Non Disclosure is the way to shield your criminal record from the public's view.
If your case was dismissed for any other purposes, or you were found not guilty (including a bunch of other reasons for dismissal), then you should be eligible for an Expunction.
If you suffered a conviction, then you'll need to look into a Governor's Pardon, which is currently the only way to clear a conviction on a Class B Misdemeanor or higher.