Q: Can I seal, expunge, or appeal a guilty disposition for Failure to Appear in a traffic ticket?
I apparently plead guilty to a traffic ticket failure to appear and now it is making it difficult to find a job with a failure to appear on my record.
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A: Addressing a guilty disposition for Failure to Appear (FTA) in a traffic ticket in Texas might involve exploring alternative approaches, as options like sealing, expunging, or appealing the disposition may be limited. Sealing or expunging records typically apply to cases that didn't result in a guilty plea, while appeals usually challenge procedural errors or legal issues during the trial process. Given that you voluntarily pleaded guilty, it could be challenging to appeal the disposition. Instead, focusing on addressing the record's impact on job prospects could be more practical. Transparency during the hiring process and emphasizing your efforts to rectify the matter might be beneficial.
A: A motion for new trial to set aside a final judgement is POSSIBLE in any case, but the time limit to file such a motion is very limited. If more than 30 days have elapsed since your plea/judgment, the answer to your question is no, you cannot appeal.
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