Good news for those convicted of a DUI or DWI!!
If you have been convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), you may not be required to keep that conviction on your record.
A DWI or DUI conviction can cause you many hardships in both your personal and professional life. With a drinking and driving conviction on your record, you may find that you are terminated from your job if you are in an industry where you are required to drive for a living. You may also find that you may no longer qualify for some professional licenses, or you may be denied employment in the future due a background check.
If you wished the DUI conviction had never happened, there may be a way to remove all traces of the conviction.
DUI expungement is the total removal of all record of conviction.
There are certain requirements that you will need to meet before being considered for DUI expungement. You can determine whether you qualify by filling out your e-mail, and zip code above and we will put you in touch with a local processional DUI Lawyer.
DUI expungement means that it never happened to you. It means that there has been a not guilty judgment filed in your case and that you can answer “No” on all job applications that ask if you have been convicted of drinking and driving.
It means that all the records have been removed from the court, law enforcement and penal systems. These records have been erased as if they never existed. It is like starting over with a clean slate.
You will not wish to expunge DUI records on your own; it requires a lot of paperwork and professional assistance. If you find yourself in a situation where you have been accused of drinking and driving, it is in your best interest to immediately hire a DUI lawyer. A DUI lawyer will be well-versed in the DUI laws and DUI penalties for your state. Your DUI lawyer will be able to work to expunge DUI records.
You may not even qualify for expungement. If you have a felony and not a misdemeanor, or have been involved in a car accident, even a good attorney may not be able to remove the DUI or DWI. Previous drinking and driving convictions may keep you from qualifying as well.
DUI expungement is not available in all states and since each state is different, you should consider hiring a DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
For example, North Carolina drivers under the age of 18 convicted of a misdemeanor and not involved in a car accident may have their record expunged. To expunge DUI records of anyone who was over the age of 18 at the time of conviction is not possible.
Yet, California gives you the ability to expunge DUI records once you have completed probation, or get a judge to terminate probation early by using California Penal Code Section 1203.3 that allows for early termination under certain circumstances.
California also allows for those convicted of misdemeanors while under the age of 18 to have their records permanently sealed, and those over 18 can even expunge non-DUI misdemeanors!
The benefit of having a lawyer expunge DUI records allows you a clean background free from any record of conviction for breaking DUI laws (and in California some misdemeanors!).
So many industries look at background checks before they allow you to open a checking account, rent a house or apartment, enroll in college, and serve in the military, if you qualify for DUI expungement, it is well worth talking to an attorney to get further details.
Even with an expungement, some circumstances will require you to disclose the DUI, such as if you were running for a public office.
Should you get your DUI record removed, if you are arrested again for another DUI or DWI, the one that was expunged will count against you and your new arrest will be your second DUI.
If you are currently facing a DUI conviction, or are in the middle of your probation period, you may wish to consult an attorney who specialized in the DUI laws.
You can go to the “Do I Need a Lawyer” article to find a local attorney that can assist you with your DUI situation.
