MCKINNEY, Texas — Collin County is launching its first expunction initiative.

The initiative will help people who are eligible to have their criminal records expunged. The expunction process allows people to remove an arrest, charge, and sometimes a conviction from their permanent records under certain circumstances.

“Most people are unaware that a prosecutor’s duty is actually ‘not to convict, but to see that justice is done.’ Using the law and our community partnerships to help people erase their criminal histories is an important part of seeking justice. Expunction can dramatically improve housing, education, and career opportunities,” said Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Someone may be eligible for an expunction if any of the following apply:

• You were arrested, but a charge was never filed or was no-billed by the grand jury;
• You have a criminal charge that was dismissed without any type of community supervision or probation prior to dismissal (except for Class C offenses);
• You were acquitted on your charge by a judge or jury (usually by a finding of “Not Guilty”), or appellate court; or
• You were convicted of a crime but later pardoned by the Governor of Texas or the President of the United States.

To learn more, visit the Collin County DA’s website.