Clear Your Criminal Record in Harris County

Having a criminal record—even without a conviction—can affect your ability to get a job, housing, or education. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office understands this and offers options to help eligible individuals clear their records through a process called expunction.

What Is an Expunction?

An expunction is a legal process that removes qualifying criminal records from public view.

  • It’s a legal privilege, not a guaranteed right. 
  • Some cases qualify automatically (mandatory expunction). 
  • Others require approval from the District Attorney (discretionary expunction).

How You May Qualify

There are several paths to expunction depending on how your case was resolved:

1. Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or Alternative Resolution Agreement (ARA)

If you completed a PTI or ARA program successfully, you may qualify for an agreed expunction—sometimes with no waiting period.


Program Type Waiting Period Notes
ARA (e.g., Clean & Green, Mental Health) None Expunction granted upon completion
Veteran’s Court PTI None Expunction granted upon completion
Custom PTI (non-DWI, non-family violence) None Expunction granted upon completion
Felony Mental Health PTI  None Expunction granted upon completion
DWI PTI 1 Year Expunction considered after 1 year
Domestic Violence PTI 1 Year Expunction considered after 1 year

2. Plea Bargain Agreements

If you accepted a plea deal that led to dismissal, you’re not automatically eligible for expunction but may be eligible for an early expunction if the statute of limitations for the offense has not expired. The DA will decide based on several factors.

What the DA Considers for Early Expunction

If your case doesn’t qualify automatically, the DA may still agree to expunction based on: 

  • Your age and criminal history 
  • Severity of the offense 
  • Impact on victims 
  • Whether the offense affects your ability to work, study, or find housing 
  • The reason your case was dismissed

Want to Request a Pre-Screen?

HCDAO offers a free courtesy review of your expunction request. Here’s how to apply:
How to Submit: 

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Include: Case details and any mitigation info (why you need the expunction) 
  • Wait Time: Up to 90 days for review 
  • Important: Don’t send multiple requests—it slows down the process Note: Requests where the statute of limitations has already expired will not be reviewed.

Filing Without Pre-Screening

You can still file for expunction without a pre-screen. If you do, your case will be reviewed by the General Litigation Division about 1–2 weeks before your court hearing.