If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible to have records of an offense that occurred while you were a juvenile or a minor removed from your criminal history. You can petition any court in the same county of the city in which you were convicted.
1. Determine eligibility.
- Your criminal record is related to alcohol
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You must be at least 21 years of age and have had only one conviction to have records expunged relating to:
- Purchase of alcohol by a minor
- Attempt to purchase alcohol by a minor
- Consumption of alcohol by a minor
- Driving or operating watercraft under the influence of alcohol by a minor (DUI)
- Possession of alcohol by a minor
- Misrepresentation of age by a minor
- Your criminal record is related to smoking
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You must complete a tobacco awareness program or tobacco-related community service.
There is no age requirement to have records expunged relating to the:
- Possession
- Purchase
- Consumption
- Receipt
of cigarettes or tobacco products by a minor.
Multiple convictions may be expunged.
- Your criminal record is for another type of fine-only conviction
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You must be at least 17 years old and have had only one conviction while you were a juvenile.
For a sexting offense, you must additionally not have engaged in conduct indicating a need for supervision described by Section 51.03(b)(7), F.C.
Offenses that fall into this category include:
- Misdemeanors punishable by fine only
- Violations of penal ordinances or political subdivisions
- Penal Code Class C misdemeanors
- Education Code offenses
- Health and Safety Code offenses
- City ordinance violations
2. Fill out an application and motion for expunction (PDF, 412 KB)
Do not sign the form.
- Have the form notarized
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If you want to submit the form by mail or email, you must take it to a Notary Public, sign it in front of them and have it notarized.
- Submit the form in person
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If you are going to submit the form in person, then a court clerk can act as the notary. Wait to sign the form until you are in front of the court clerk.
3. Submit the form.
- In person
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6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 175, Austin, TX 78744
2121 West Parmer Lane, Suite 116 Austin, Texas 78754
- By email
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Send a scan of your form to court@austintexas.gov.
- By mail
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Make a copy of the form for your records and send the original to:
Austin Municipal Court, P.O. Box 2135, Austin, TX 78768
4. Pay a $30 or $100 (if under Chapter 55) fee.
- Online
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Once your petition is received, a case will be opened for you within 3-5 business days. You can then search for your case in the online portal to pay related fees.
- By phone
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Call 512-974-4800
- By mail
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Mail a check or money order to Municipal Court, P.O. Box 2135, Austin, TX 78768. Include your contact information and case number (found through the case portal).
Do not send cash or credit card information in the mail.
- In person
-
6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 175, Austin, TX 78744
2121 West Parmer Lane, Suite 116 Austin, Texas 78754
5. Upon receipt of payment, a hearing will be scheduled for you.
At the hearing, the judge will rule on the expunction petition. You may attend the hearing, but it is not required.
More information
Traffic offenses cannot be expunged.
If your criminal record is for "Failure to Attend School," this law was repealed with the passage of HB 2398 in 2015. Courts are responsible for expunging records related to this offense. No petition, proof or fee is required. You may call the court to confirm that your record has been expunged.
Terminology
Juvenile: Someone 16 years old or younger.
Minor: A person younger than the legal age for a certain act.