What Is the Cost to Get a Class C Misdemeanor Family Violence Case Expunged in Tarrant County?
If you have a Class C misdemeanor family violence case in Tarrant County, you may be wondering how much it will cost to get the record expunged. The answer depends on the outcome of your case and whether you meet the requirements for an expunction under Texas law.
An expunction, sometimes called an expungement, is a legal process that can remove eligible arrest and criminal records from government records. However, not every Class C misdemeanor family violence case qualifies.
How Much Does a Tarrant County Expunction Cost?
There are generally two types of costs to consider:
- Court filing and administrative fees
- Attorney’s fees, if you hire a lawyer to handle the expunction
Tarrant County’s District Clerk handles felony and misdemeanor expunctions. The county’s current fee information should be checked because filing and notification fees can change. Tarrant County‘s 2026 fee information reflects changes to expunction-related fees, including fees for notifying agencies that cannot receive an expunction order electronically.
Attorney‘s fees are separate from the court costs and can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, including the number of agencies that must receive notice and whether a hearing is required.
Can a Class C Family Violence Case Be Expunged?
This is where the details of your case become extremely important.
Under Texas law, certain Class C misdemeanor cases may qualify for expunction when the charge was dismissed or otherwise resolved in a manner that meets the statutory requirements. Texas law specifically provides circumstances under which records from a Class C misdemeanor arrest may be expunged.
For example, a Class C misdemeanor that was dismissed may be eligible, depending on how the case was resolved and the person’s criminal history.
However, if you were convicted of the Class C family violence offense, the analysis is different. A conviction generally prevents a person from obtaining a traditional expunction simply because the offense was a Class C misdemeanor.
That is why it is important to have an attorney review the actual court records before assuming that your case can be expunged.
Family Violence Cases Can Be More Complicated
Family violence cases can have additional consequences beyond what appears on a typical criminal background check. The specific charge, disposition, prior criminal history, and the way the case was resolved can all affect whether expunction is available.
Tarrant County’s District Attorney’s Office explains that Texas law establishes specific requirements for expunction and recommends that individuals obtain their criminal history and consult a licensed attorney to determine whether they qualify.
If your case involved assault family violence by contact, for example, the fact that it was charged as a Class C misdemeanor does not automatically mean the record can be removed.
What If My Case Was Dismissed?
If your Class C family violence case was dismissed, you may have a path to expunction. The waiting period and other requirements depend on the circumstances surrounding the arrest and dismissal.
Under current Texas law, certain Class C misdemeanor arrests can qualify for expunction after 180 days when the statutory requirements are satisfied and no indictment or information has been presented for the applicable offense.
Other circumstances can create different eligibility rules.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
There is no single price that applies to every Tarrant County Class C misdemeanor family violence expunction.
Your total cost may include:
1. Court and filing fees
These are paid to the court and are separate from your attorney‘s fees.
2. Attorney’s fees
If you hire a criminal defense attorney to prepare and file the petition, notify the appropriate agencies, and handle the court process, the attorney‘s fee will depend on the circumstances of your case.
3. Additional notification or administrative costs
Depending on the case, additional costs may apply when agencies must be notified by methods other than electronic transmission. Tarrant County‘s 2026 information lists a $40 certified-mail notification fee per applicable agency.
Because the number of agencies and the applicable filing requirements can vary, it is important to get a case-specific estimate rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all price.
Talk to a Tarrant County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have a Class C misdemeanor family violence case in Tarrant County, don’t assume that the record can or cannot be expunged based solely on the classification of the offense.
The first step is determining exactly how your case was resolved and whether you meet the requirements for expunction under Texas law.
Randall Isenberg and the attorneys at the Law Offices of Randall Isenberg can review your criminal record and discuss whether you may qualify for an expunction and what the process may cost in your particular situation.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall Isenberg to discuss your Tarrant County expunction case.
