The legal process of removing convictions from a person’s criminal record is called expungement. Here’s everything you need to know.
Depending on state laws, one may seek an expungement for felonies and misdemeanour convictions.
For example, some states allow expungements and have their own rules for having a conviction removed from an individual’s record. States like New York only allow the sealing of prior convictions, meaning the record will still exist, but it won’t be accessible by the local public.
The state of Texas allows a conviction to get expunged. The next step of applying for an expungement in Texas is usually determining how much the process of expungement costs. Many Expungement lawyers in Texas offer a free initial consultation to discuss the situation and understand the case. It is an excellent opportunity to understand the attorney, know the fees they will charge, and determine if the attorney is best suited for your case.
The expungement cost varies based on numerous factors, so let’s break it down piece by piece and understand them in detail.
Cost of Court
To begin with, there will be a standard fee of court associated with the expungement process, or in some states, there will be an application fee. The fee generally ranges from $100 to $400. However, the fees could depend more on the nature and type of the cost.
Furthermore, filing fees usually get attached along with court or application fees. The filing fees may be specific to an individual’s state or local county court, and the filing fee is simply a payment for processing the case paperwork.
A complicated case involves a lot of paperwork, such as having a felony removed from the person’s criminal record. Instead, a misdemeanour conviction may come with higher filing fees due to the extra work required by the court.
Fees of an Attorney
Estimating the fees of Dallas expungement lawyers is a difficult job to do. Many factors play into determining the fees, like the amount of legal work required.
Generally, after hiring a criminal defence attorney to represent an individual and help them through this complex process, one has to pay the attorney on an hourly rate basis asked by the attorney. To stay within the budget, one should interview a few different attorneys and receive estimates to see which attorney is best suited for them and is in the price range.
The expungement cost ranges from a low end of $400 to a high end of $4000, though the attorney hired to handle the case makes all the difference. Once again, the cost depends on the complexity of the case.
The more hours the attorney spends sorting through the case information and filling out the paperwork, the more they will charge.
What are Misdemeanors?
Misdemeanours are not such serious crimes, and most misdemeanours are “low-level offences,” with the punishment directly correlating to the crime one has committed.
Misdemeanours are somewhat in the middle of common infractions like traffic offences and felonies, as they are not nearly as severe as felonies. Still, they get considered a slight step up from ordinary crimes.
Here are some examples of crimes that get considered to be misdemeanours:
- Petty theft
- Disorderly conduct
- Simple assault
- Public intoxication
- Drug possession
- Trespassing
What is a Felony?
A felony is the most severe type of charge that an individual might face. In these cases, an individual gets considered to be usually endangering the life of another person. There are crimes pre-determined in the constitution of the United States that lead to felony charges.
Here are some examples of crimes that get considered to be felonies:
- Kidnapping
- Financial crimes
- Murder and manslaughter
- Rape and sexual assault
- Assault and battery
- Theft and burglary
Fees Along the Way
The court and other fees will simply come up as the petition progresses, and one needs to take care of each fee promptly for the case to continue.
How to get a Class C misdemeanour expunged in Texas?
A lot of people inquire about record sealing. The question asked repeatedly is How to get a Class C misdemeanour expunged in Texas? This question focuses on the initial charge, how that charge is handled, and the charge’s outcome. Class C’s on which you have received deferred adjudications and have not been convicted of a felony within five years may get deleted.
The Class C expungement in Texas should cost around $1,000. Filing fees may or may not be included in this price. Consult with your attorney while your Class C case is still pending so that you can plan for an expunction in the future.
Don’t let a Class C in college or as an adult affect your life or employment opportunities. Expunging your Class C misdemeanour in Texas record can help you move forward.
To Conclude:
Legal matters are usually complex and stressful. A qualified expungement attorney can address your legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. Take the first step now and make no delays in contacting an expungement attorney to discuss your expungement in Texas.
