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Chapter 55A: Expunction of Criminal Records

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure – 2026

All Sections Code of Criminal Procedure Overview ← Previous Chapter 52: Court of Inquiry Next → Chapter 56A: Rights of Crime Victims

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Chapter 1: General Provisions Chapter 2: General Duties of Officers Chapter 2A: Officers; Powers and Duties Chapter 2B: Law Enforcement Interactions with Public Chapter 3: Definitions Chapter 4: Courts and Criminal Jurisdiction Chapter 5: Family Violence Prevention Chapter 5A: Preventing, Investigating, and Prosecuting Family Violence Chapter 5B: Procedures for Certain Offenses Involving Illegal Entry Into This State Chapter 5C: Procedures for Real Property Theft and Fraud Chapter 6: Preventing Offenses by the Act of Magistrates and Other Officers; Education Concerning Consequences of Certain Offenses Chapter 7: Proceedings Before Magistrates to Prevent Offenses Chapter 7B: Protective Orders Chapter 7C: Prohibition on Recognition, Service, and Enforcement of Extreme Risk Protective Orders Chapter 8: Suppression of Riots and Other Disturbances Chapter 9: Offenses Injurious to Public Health Chapter 9A: Trade, Business, or Occupation Injurious to Public Health Chapter 11: Habeas Corpus Chapter 12: Limitation Chapter 13A: Venue Chapter 14: Arrest Without Warrant Chapter 15: Arrest Under Warrant Chapter 16: The Commitment or Discharge of the Accused Chapter 17: Bail Chapter 17A: Corporations and Associations Chapter 18: Search Warrants Chapter 18A: Detection, Interception, and Use of Wire, Oral, and Electronic Communications Chapter 18B: Installation and Use of Tracking Equipment; Access to Communications Chapter 19A: Grand Jury Organization Chapter 20A: Grand Jury Proceedings Chapter 21: Indictment and Information Chapter 22: Forfeiture of Bail Chapter 23: The Capias Chapter 24: Subpoena and Attachment Chapter 24A: Responding to Subpoenas and Certain Other Court Orders; Preserving Certain Information Chapter 25: Service of a Copy of the Indictment Chapter 26: Arraignment Chapter 27: The Pleading in Criminal Actions Chapter 28: Motions, Pleadings and Exceptions Chapter 29: Continuance Chapter 30: Disqualification of the Judge Chapter 31A: Change of Venue Chapter 32: Dismissing Prosecutions Chapter 32A: Speedy Trial Chapter 33: The Mode of Trial Chapter 34: Special Venire in Capital Cases Chapter 35: Formation of the Jury Chapter 36: The Trial Before the Jury Chapter 37: The Verdict Chapter 38: Evidence in Criminal Actions Chapter 39: Depositions and Discovery Chapter 40: New Trials Chapter 41: Arrest of Judgment Chapter 42: Judgment and Sentence Chapter 42A: Community Supervision Chapter 43: Execution of Judgment Chapter 44: Appeal and Writ of Error Chapter 45A: Justice and Municipal Courts Chapter 46: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Chapter 46B: Incompetency to Stand Trial Chapter 46C: Insanity Defense Chapter 47: Disposition of Stolen Property Chapter 48: Pardon and Parole Chapter 49: Inquests Upon Dead Bodies Chapter 49A: Death Inquests Chapter 50: Fire Inquests Chapter 50A: Fire Inquests Chapter 51: Fugitives from Justice Chapter 52: Court of Inquiry Chapter 55A: Expunction of Criminal Records Chapter 56A: Rights of Crime Victims Chapter 56B: Crime Victims' Compensation Chapter 56C: Landowner Compensation for Property Damage Caused by Certain Criminal Activities Chapter 58: Confidentiality of Identifying Information and Medical Records of Certain Crime Victims Chapter 59: Forfeiture of Contraband Chapter 62: Sex Offender Registration Program Chapter 63: Missing Children and Missing Persons Chapter 64: Motion for Forensic Dna Testing Chapter 65: Terrorist Offender Registration Program Chapter 66: Criminal History Record System Chapter 67: Compilation of Information Pertaining to Combinations and Criminal Street Gangs Chapter 101: General Provisions Chapter 102: Costs, Fees, and Fines Paid by Defendants Chapter 103: Payment, Collection, and Recordkeeping Chapter 104: Certain Expenses Paid by State or County
Art. 55A.001 APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER Art. 55A.002 FOLLOWING TRIAL COURT ACQUITTAL Art. 55A.003 PARDON FOR ACTUAL INNOCENCE Art. 55A.004 PARDON FOR REASON OTHER THAN ACTUAL INNOCENCE Art. 55A.005 UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN Art. 55A.006 MISTAKEN IDENTITY Art. 55A.051 APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER Art. 55A.052 INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION NOT PRESENTED Art. 55A.053 INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION DISMISSED OR QUASHED Art. 55A.054 EXPIRATION OF LIMITATIONS PERIOD Art. 55A.101 APPELLATE COURT ACQUITTAL OR RECOMMENDATION OF ATTORNEY REPRESENTING STATE Art. 55A.131 CERTAIN DNA RECORDS Art. 55A.151 CONVICTION OR POTENTIAL PROSECUTION ARISING FROM SAME CRIMINAL EPISODE Art. 55A.152 DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION Art. 55A.153 ARREST FOR VIOLATION OF COMMUNITY SUPERVISION Art. 55A.154 CERTAIN PERSONS ABSCONDING AFTER ARREST Art. 55A.201 TRIAL COURT ACQUITTAL Art. 55A.202 PARDON FOR ACTUAL INNOCENCE Art. 55A.203 CERTAIN SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS Art. 55A.204 DUTIES OF ATTORNEY REPRESENTING STATE REGARDING EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.205 REQUIRED CONTENT OF EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.206 REQUIRED RETENTION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY COURT Art. 55A.251 FILING OF PETITION Art. 55A.252 FILING CERTAIN PETITIONS IN JUSTICE OR MUNICIPAL COURT Art. 55A.253 CONTENTS OF PETITION Art. 55A.254 HEARING; NOTICE Art. 55A.255 ENTRY OF EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.256 APPLICATION FOR EXPUNCTION BASED ON MISTAKEN IDENTITY Art. 55A.257 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY MAY FILE PETITION ON PERSON'S BEHALF Art. 55A.258 EXPUNCTION ON BEHALF OF DECEASED PERSON Art. 55A.301 REQUIRED CONTENT Art. 55A.302 RETENTION OF CERTAIN RECORDS AFTER EXPUNCTION Art. 55A.3025 RETENTION OF CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS Art. 55A.303 APPEAL Art. 55A.351 NOTICE OF EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.352 DUTY OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Art. 55A.353 DISPOSITION OF EXPUNGED RECORDS Art. 55A.354 DISPOSITION OF RECORDS EXPUNGED DUE TO MISTAKEN IDENTITY Art. 55A.355 PROVIDING EXPUNGED RECORDS TO PERSON WHO IS SUBJECT OF EXPUNCTION Art. 55A.356 INSPECTION AND DISPOSITION OF COURT'S RECORDS CONCERNING EXPUNCTION Art. 55A.357 RETENTION OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTION RECORDS Art. 55A.401 EFFECT OF FINAL EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.402 OFFENSE FOR VIOLATION OF EXPUNCTION ORDER Art. 55A.451 NOTICE OF EXPUNCTION LAW TO PERSONS RELEASED FOLLOWING ARREST