Over the past few years, the Texas legislature has passed legislation expanding the availability of orders of nondisclosure for some criminal offenses. An order of nondisclosure effectively prohibits public officials and their agencies from releasing information about specific criminal cases to the public. Recent changes to nondisclosure laws allow eligible individuals to seek orders of nondisclosure for first-time DWI convictions. For instance, individuals cannot get an order of nondisclosure if they were convicted of DWI as a Class A misdemeanor due to a high blood alcohol content (BAC).
There is a waiting period before individuals qualify to seek an order of nondisclosure for DWI and related offenses. These persons must wait two years from the successful completion of their sentences if the court required them to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles for six months. If the installation of an IID was not a part of the court order, then these individuals must wait at least five years from the date that they completed their sentences.
The most recent change to the waiting period required for an order of nondisclosure concerns individuals who receive deferred adjudication for a first-time DWI. This is a new means of resolving a first-time DWI that is newly available as a result of the 2019 legislative session. For individuals who receive deferred adjudication and otherwise qualify for an order of nondisclosure, the waiting period is somewhat different. Their waiting period expires two years from the date that they complete deferred adjudication community supervision, and the court dismisses the case. This change in the law takes effect on September 1, 2019.
The criminal defense lawyers of Peek Law Group have handled the legal defense of countless individuals who are facing criminal charges, including traffic-related charges. We are here to protect your rights and advocate on your behalf. As a result, we will strive to get the best outcome possible in your case. Call our office today at (512) 399-2311 to set up an appointment with our criminal defense attorneys.