Application Process for Sealing Juvenile Criminal Records in Texas

Sealing process

You must go to the Clerk’s office in the juvenile court where your case was heard and get an “Application for Sealing of Files and Records. The clerk will tell you what procedures and processes are followed and what form to file.

Fill out the application and return it to the clerk. If you are under 18, the Juvenile Court requires that an attorney represent you. If you are 18 or older, then you may file the application yourself. The clerk will tell you when to come back to the court for a hearing with the Judge. Copies of the application have to be sent to all the agencies named in your application advising them of the court date and time. The clerk of the court can help you with this.

Generally, you will have a short hearing before a judge where you can present your case for approval. If the court approves your application, an order for sealing will be issued and sent to all of the agencies named in the application. Once sealed, the public will not have access to the sealed records. However, police and other law enforcement agencies will be able to see that you have a sealed record.

Expunction Process in Municipal or Justice Courts

If you have juvenile criminal records in a justice or municipal court you can file for expunction when you turn 17 (or older in certain cases). Special procedures apply. To start you must get an “Application for Expunction” from the court in which your case was heard.

Fill out the application completely with all information requested and file with the court in which your case was heard.

The court will set a hearing date and notify all interested agencies of the hearing. You must attend the hearing. If you are under 18, you must have an attorney with you. If your application is approved, the court will issue an “Order of Expunction” and inform all proper agencies.

For more articles on the Texas expunction process, click on the following:

Overview of Texas Criminal Expunction and Record Sealing

Clearing Your Adult Criminal Record (Expunction) in Texas

Process for Expunging Adult Criminal Arrest Records in Texas

Sealing Adult Criminal Records in Texas: Nondisclosure Orders

Process for Sealing Adult Criminal Records in Texas: Nondisclosure Order

Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Criminal Records in Texas

Automatic Restriction of Access to Juvenile Criminal Records in Texas

Do I Need an Attorney in Texas to File a Petition for Expunction or to Seal My Criminal Records?