Gilbert Garcia, Author at The Gilbert G. Garcia Law Firm
Author: Gilbert Garcia
Home / Articles Posted by Gilbert Garcia
College students are on their own, usually for the first time in their lives, and it is expected that they might make poor decisions or other mistakes. If a mistake results in an arrest, criminal charges, or even a criminal conviction, it can haunt them for years and change the course of their lives. Anyone who is feeling the effects of a criminal record should speak with a Texas expungement lawyer as soon as possible. Possible Consequences of a Criminal Case College students have their lives ahead of them, and completing their program of study is often integral to achieving their career-related goals and dreams. However, if they get into trouble with the law, one or more of the following might happen: Ineligibility for athletic participationLoss of scholarshipsSuspension or expulsion…	
If you have a criminal conviction on your record, it can make it difficult to find the job you want. Many companies shy away from hiring people with criminal records, and this might be true even if you were not convicted of a crime - or even ever charged. Sometimes, seeing an arrest on an applicant’s record is enough for an employer to stop considering them for a position. When you get your record expunged or sealed, you can improve your chances of a fulfilling career. If either of the following are true, you should learn whether you might qualify to clear your name: You were not convicted or charged to begin withYou were convicted and completed a deferred adjudication and community supervision When you get your record sealed through…	
You might have heard that an expunction or order of nondisclosure can help you clear your arrest or criminal record and move on with your life in Texas. However, how do you go about doing this? Texas has procedures you must follow, and the best course of action is to seek guidance from an experienced Texas criminal record sealing attorney. Do You Qualify? First, you want to determine whether you qualify for an expunction or sealing of your record. There are many factors to consider, including: Were you charged with a crime?Were you convicted of a crime?What offense were you convicted of?What was your sentence, and did it include a deferred adjudication? You should have an attorney review your situation and advise you whether you might qualify for relief, as…	
When your arrest or criminal charges are wrongful, you can spend resources trying to ensure you are not also wrongfully convicted of an offense. Your criminal defense attorney might work hard to ensure your case is dropped or you are found not guilty. However, even after this stressful process, you might continue to feel the effects of having an arrest and/or criminal charges on your record. These records can impact your employment, housing, and more. Texas law provides relief in this situation by allowing individuals who were not convicted of crimes to seek an expungement of their record. This process does not happen automatically, and the court does not make it easy to successfully obtain an expungement. It is important to have the help of a Texas expungement lawyer during…	
You might breathe a sigh of relief if you were arrested and never charged, or if you faced criminal charges and were not convicted. However, even having an arrest on your record can impact your life in many ways. If you are feeling the effects of an arrest record, contact a Texas expungement lawyer to discuss possible options. Possible Personal and Professional Repercussions The foundation of the criminal justice system is that defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Unfortunately, we know the system doesn’t always work this way. This is especially true in the court of public opinion. Just an arrest can be enough to create the stigma that you violated the law, even if you were never found guilty. Many people assume you will only…	
If you were not convicted of a crime - or possibly even charged - you might be anxious to clear your name by having your record expunged. However, there might be a waiting period for expungement in some situations. An experienced Texas expungement attorney can inform you of what is necessary in your case. No Waiting Period Some people do not have to wait at all to file their petition for expungement. This is the case when someone: Was found not guilty of a crimeHad a conviction overturnedWas pardoned If the prosecutor decides they do not need the records for future cases, you can seek to have your record cleared right away. One Year You must wait one year to expunge an arrest or charges of Class A or B…	
If you meet the requirements for an expunction set out by Texas law, you might assume that the court will grant your petition with few obstacles. However, it is important to recognize that there are complications that might arise during an expunction case - including that certain parties might file objections with the court. You want a Texas expunction lawyer who knows how to represent your rights in the face of such objections. Who Can Object? Agencies that hold the records that would be destroyed can oppose destruction, and this often includes law enforcement agencies and prosecuting offices. Often, they oppose an expunction because they might need to access your records for other purposes, such as using the records for an ongoing or current investigation. Consider the following situations: You…	
Once a prosecutor or judge announces that your charges are dismissed in a criminal case, you likely breathe a huge sigh of relief that you will not have a conviction on your record. However, even having dismissed charges on your record can impact your job and other opportunities. To get rid of the stigma of criminal allegations, you might want to pursue an expunction of your record. Expunctions are available for some people who have had their criminal charges dismissed - but not all. The reason why your charges were dismissed does matter - specifically because dismissals after serving community supervision do not qualify for expunction. Deferred Adjudication In some criminal cases, a judge will delay entering judgment on a case until after you serve community supervision. If you complete…	