Texas Criminal Defense FAQs, Answered by Experienced Attorneys
Many people assume that once a criminal case is dismissed, everything tied to that case disappears as well. In reality—especially in Family Violence cases—the arrest itself can continue to follow you long after the courtroom doors close.
At MC Criminal Law, our FAQ Series is designed to address the questions clients ask when they’re trying to move forward and protect their future. Our DFW criminal defense attorneys regularly handle Family Violence cases in Dallas County and know how dismissal, arrest records, and Texas record-clearing laws intersect in ways that often surprise people.
Today’s FAQ addresses a critical and frequently misunderstood question:
FAQ: If a Family Violence case is dismissed, is my arrest record automatically cleared in Dallas County?
No. Even when a case is dismissed, it will remain on the person’s background until they file the correct documents to get it sealed or erased. The law also states that a person must allow the statute of limitations to pass before they file to have the arrest sealed.
MC Tip
Any time we get a favorable outcome like a dismissal, we have a close-out meeting with the client that explains the next steps and schedule calendar reminders to follow up in the future. A dismissal is only complete after we have made sure the case doesn’t follow our clients. Even if we were not the original attorney, we are happy to discuss your options with you. Reach out to our criminal defense law office today to learn more about your family violence case and expungement and sealing options in Dallas County, Denton County, Collin County, Tarrant County, and the surrounding areas.