Clean Slate Texas

Millions of Texans are burdened by criminal records that make it nearly impossible to secure jobs, housing, education, or stability. Even after people have served their time and turned their lives around, their records continue to block opportunities. Clean Slate Texas is advocating for two key reforms:

Automated Record Sealing for Low-Level Misdemeanors

Texas should automatically seal records for individuals already eligible under current law. Automating this process means:

• People can move forward without needing to navigate confusing, expensive legal steps.
• Families can access stability and opportunity sooner.
• Communities benefit from increased public safety and economic participation.

Petition-Based Record Sealing Expansion

Clean Slate Texas also supports expanding access to petition-based sealing, so more people can qualify for relief, including those with:

• Past nonviolent drug or property-related state jail felony convictions
• More than one nonviolent conviction from separate incidents (after 7 years have passed)

We also call for reducing mandatory wait times to make sealing more accessible and fair.

Important note:

We also recognize that this is just the start of the conversation and the work. Expanding access to record sealing must be ongoing, and we are committed to a future where all people, including those with more complex records, are included. Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.