What is a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a crime that usually does not involve physical violence and results in less than one year of jail time.
A misdemeanor can result in a fine, probation, or jail time. With some misdemeanors if you follow the rules and don’t get convicted of another offense within a certain amount of time the misdemeanor will be removed from your criminal record.
Misdemeanors are generally those crimes that are punishable with up to one year in jail and/or a maximum of $4,000 in fines. As this is the punishment for most misdemeanors, it can be easy to forget about them. However, if you’re considering committing one of these crimes, please reconsider as the consequences can be very serious.
What Constitutes a Misdemeanor in Texas?
A misdemeanor is a type of offense that is less severe than a felony. A person who commits a misdemeanor typically faces less severe punishments than someone who commits a felony.
There are many different types of misdemeanors in Texas, including domestic violence, driving under the influence (DUI),shoplifting,trespassing, theft, disorderly conduct and assault. Misdemeanors are often punishable by fines instead of jail time.
Other crimes classified as misdemeanors in Texas include:
– Minor marijuana possession (less than two ounces)
– Minor theft (under $50 worth of property)
– Minor assault (no injuries, no weapons used)
How to Expunge Your Misdemeanor in Texas
An expunction is a type of order that removes the arrest and/or conviction records from an individual’s criminal history. The process of expunction can be initiated by the person who was arrested or convicted (the petitioner) or by a prosecutor under certain circumstances.
The laws and punishments associated with these misdemeanors vary from state-to-state and the requirements for getting the crime erased may depend on which state you live in. It is important that you talk with a lawyer before going into this process because there are certain things that may affect your eligibility for an expungement.
In Texas, a misdemeanor conviction can be expunged from your record depending on the case. It’s also important to note that some misdemeanors are not eligible for an expungement and An expungement is not available to those who are currently awaiting trial or who are on probation for another charge or violation of the law.
Misdemeanors are considered a criminal offense in Texas, the higher-level misdemeanor is a Class A misdemeanor, while the lower-level is a Class B misdemeanor. In order to expunge a misdemeanor in Texas, you have to file for an expunction.
In order to have your conviction expunged in Texas, you must wait at least five years from when you were released from prison or placed on parole before you can petition the court for an expungement. If a person is pursuing a degree or certification that requires fingerprinting or criminal history background check, then they may need to wait more than 10 years before they can file for expunction on their record. You can also get it expunged if you are pardoned by the governor or if you are found not guilty.
If you have a misdemeanor on your record and want to get it expunged, read this article on the requirements for eligibility. In Texas, if you want to get a misdemeanor expunged from your criminal history, you must meet the following requirements:
1) You MUST wait for at least two years from the date of conviction or from completion of a sentence before filing an application.
2) You may NOT have more than one felony conviction of any kind in any court in Texas, regardless of where the convictions took place.
3) If convicted outside of Texas, you must have been convicted or discharged for misdemeanors in another state or country.
4) You may NOT have more than two Class B Misdemeanor convictions in any court in Texas regardless of where they took place
The process of getting your criminal record expunged in Texas is two-fold: (1) you must satisfy the eligibility criteria, and (2) you must petition the Court for an Order of Expunction. You can’t obtain an Order of Expunction until you have met all eligibility criteria.
The process of seeking an expungement starts with completing the appropriate forms and filing them with the court where the offense occurred. The court will notify you if it needs any additional information to complete your case. An attorney can help guide you through this process or refer you to an agency that specializes in criminal defense.
The Benefits of Having Your Criminal Record Removed
A criminal record can be a big obstacle for someone trying to find employment. It can make it difficult to find a job or even housing.
Having your criminal record removed has many benefits. One is that you will no longer have to disclose it on job applications and during interviews. Another is that you will not need to worry about the chance of discrimination based on your conviction history.