Upcoming Event
What: Fresh Start
When: Aug. 2, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Harris County Jury Plaza
1201 Congress St,
Houston, TX 77002
Parking:
Metered street parking, surface lots, and garages are available in the surrounding area. Standard rates apply. Participants should follow all parking signs. Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and its partners are not responsible for parking tickets or towed or booted vehicles.
Screening:
Security screening required for entry.
Resources:


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Sign up below for news and updates from Harris County Courts.*

*Signing up for updates and reminders about Fresh Start does not pre-register you for the record screening and sealing program. Pre-registration for record screening and sealing is a separate process.
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Fresh Start Record Screening & Sealing

Fresh Start helps individuals change course after experiences with the criminal justice system by sealing their eligible criminal records and connecting them to vital community resources.

Our goal is to help people meet their basic needs and become more productive citizens, which reduces recidivism and makes our community safer.

Pre-Registration
  • Online pre-registration is required.
  • Pre-registration opens at noon on designated days. (See table.)
  • Space is limited: 300 slots are available, and they fill very fast.
  • Registration FAQs
Screening
  • Once you have successfully pre-registered, legal staff will begin reviewing your criminal history.
  • You will be notified of your eligibility by email. Make sure you submit the correct email address.
  • Emails may be sent as late as the week of the event. Check your email regularly.
  • Screening FAQs
Eligibility
  • Record sealing eligibility is determined by state law.
  • Fresh Start is for Harris County criminal records only. Out-of-county and out-of-state criminal records do not qualify for this program.
  • Juvenile criminal records do not qualify for this program.
  • Eligibility FAQs
FRESH START RECORD SCREENING & SEALING
WHEN IS THE NEXT EVENT? WHEN CAN I PRE-REGISTER?
Feb. 1, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 		Jan. 13, 2025
Opens at 12 p.m.
May 3, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 		April 14, 2025
Opens at 12 p.m.
Aug. 2, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 		July 14, 2025
Opens at 12 p.m.
Nov. 1, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 		Oct. 13, 2025
Opens at 12 p.m.

Fresh Start is offered by the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and BAYOU City Community Court in partnership with Harris County’s Public Defender’s Office, Criminal District Courts, Community Supervision and Corrections Department, and Constable Precinct 1.

For more information, please review our Fresh Start FAQs. If your question is not answered by the FAQs, please email FreshStart@ccl.hctx.net and include your name and specific questions in the body of the email. You will receive a response within three business days. Note: If your question is already answered in the FAQs, you will not receive a reply.