Bill > SB394

This bill modifies the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to expand the circumstances under which a person can have their arrest records for unlawful carrying of a handgun expunged. Specifically, the bill allows individuals who were placed on deferred adjudication community supervision (a type of probation where a formal conviction is not entered) for unlawfully carrying a handgun before September 1, 2021, to have their arrest records completely erased. Previously, only those who were actually tried and convicted of the offense could have their records expunged. Deferred adjudication is a legal mechanism that allows a defendant to avoid a formal conviction by completing certain court-ordered requirements, and this bill now provides those individuals with the same record expungement rights as those who were fully convicted. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving time for legal systems to prepare for the change. This modification could help individuals with such records have improved opportunities for employment, housing, and other areas where past arrests might create barriers.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB394