The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the Dallas County District Clerk’s Office, in partnership with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office and other community partners, are hosting the 8th Annual Dallas County Expunction Expo.
“The Expo has grown each year, enabling us to help more people get a fresh start and become contributing members of society again,” says Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot. “With this growth come changes to ensure a sustainable program for years to come.”
The application period for this year’s Expunction Expo opens on July 8, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Acceptance will be given to the first 500 applicants, so it is recommended to apply early on July 8th as spots are expected to fill quickly. Applications will close once 500 people have been received. Applications can be submitted online at www.dallascounty.org/expunction or by phone at 214-875-4999.
After applicants are pre-qualified, criminal defense and private attorneys volunteer their time to meet with them to determine if they have an offense eligible for expunction. If so, the attorney assists with the preparation and filing of the necessary legal documents.
Since its inception in 2017, the Dallas County Expunction Expo has granted over 2,750 expunctions. These expunctions have provided new opportunities for members of the Dallas County community, allowing them to obtain gainful employment, attend college, or serve in the military—opportunities that were once impossible due to their records.
Who Qualifies?
Per Texas statute, individuals who have offenses on their criminal record MAY qualify for an expunction if any of the following apply:
- You were arrested but a charge was never filed, was no-billed by the grand jury, or was rejected by the District Attorney’s Office;
- Your Felony, Class A Misdemeanor, or Class B Misdemeanor charge was dismissed without any type of community supervision or probation prior to the dismissal (and the required time period, depending on the offense, has passed);
- Your Class C misdemeanor was dismissed or you successfully completed Class C deferred adjudication, and two years have passed since the dismissal;
- You were acquitted (found "not guilty") of your charge by a judge, jury, or appellate court and had no other charge from the same arrest;
- You were convicted of a crime but later pardoned by the Texas Governor or the United States President; or
- You were convicted before 09/01/2021 for Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon under Section 46.02(a) of the Penal Code.
A case is not eligible for an expunction, if:
- It is STILL PENDING;
- You were CONVICTED in the case, even if you only paid a fine (EXCEPT convictions before 09/01/2021 for Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon under Section 46.02(a) of the Penal Code); or
- You received PROBATION, COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, or DEFERRED ADJUDICATION for a Felony, Class A Misdemeanor, or Class B Misdemeanor, even if your case was later dismissed.
How to participate in the Expunction Expo?
You may fill out a Participant Information Form online starting July 8th at 8:00 a.m. at www.dallascounty.org/expunction. Participants will be notified by phone and email no later than September 9, 2024, if they qualify to participate in this year’s Expunction Expo. Then, a volunteer attorney will be assigned to you and contact you directly for an appointment between September 16 and October 11, 2024. Information may also be obtained by calling 214-653-2905.
Those granted expunctions will be celebrated at a reception on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Only Dallas County offenses will be considered.
