Upcoming Event
What: Fresh Start
When: Nov. 1, 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:
- Record Screening & Sealing
- University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic: Know Your Rights Criminal Law Workshop
- South Texas College of Law Legal Clinics: Civil Matters.
- Consulate General of Mexico in Houston: Support for Mexican citizens.
- Harris County Public Health: ACCESS Harris County resource assistance program.
- Harris County Voter Registration
Fresh Start Record Screening & Sealing
Fresh Start helps individuals get back on track after experiences with the criminal justice system by sealing their eligible criminal records and connecting them to 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.
- Online registration required for screening.
- Registration is only open at designated times.
- Space is limited: Only 400 slots available, and they fill fast — sometimes within seconds.
- Be prepared: Watch the 2-minute Registration Tutorial
- Eligibility is determined by state law. We cannot admit you into the program if you are not legally eligible.
- Criminal records must be from Harris County. Records from other counties and states do not qualify for this program.
- Eligibility results will be emailed to you. You may receive them as late as the Tuesday before the event. Be sure to enter your email correctly on the registration form and check your inbox and junk mail regularly.
- Be prepared: Watch this 2-minute Screening & Eligibility Tutorial
- Review our Fresh Start FAQs.
- Watch the Registration Tutorial and Screening & Eligibility Tutorial.
- Still can’t find the answer? Email FreshStart@ccl.hctx.net. (Please note: If your question is answered in the FAQs or tutorial videos, you will not receive an individualized reply.)
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.