DUI Expungement

Did you know that, even if you were convicted of DUI in the past, you may be able to have the conviction removed from your criminal record? Through a process known as DUI expungement, you can request that your criminal record be sealed—meaning your DUI conviction will no longer show up if someone performs a background check on you.

Legally speaking, an expungement is a court-ordered ruling that erases your criminal conviction—so it is as if it never happened. Although the laws surrounding DUI expungement vary according to the state in which you were convicted, there are basic criteria that must be met in order to successfully have your DUI expunged. If you have several other DUI convictions, for example, you are most likely ineligible for expungement. However, if you have not been convicted of any other crime within the past five years, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney about DUI expungement.

To apply for DUI expungement, you will first need to request an expungement application from the law enforcement agency that arrested you. Be prepared to show picture ID and pay a filing fee at this time. You should also know the date of your arrest and the exact charge against you, as you will need this information in order to complete the expungement application. 

After completing your application, you will need to submit it to the arresting agency. A representative of your state’s attorney’s office will then present the application to a judge, who will review your case to determine whether your record should be sealed.

Once the judge has reviewed your expungement application, you will be notified of the status of your request. If your DUI expungement is approved, your record will be sealed soon afterward, and all evidence of your conviction will be erased—which means you are no longer legally required to disclose the conviction on applications for jobs, housing, or financial aid. In some cases, your expungement may even apply to the arrest report. If your request is denied, you have 30 days to appeal the decision. 

Although a DUI expungement is a great first step for your future, it is important to realize that your conviction may still be accessible to government agencies such as the FBI. In addition, if you are charged with DUI in the future, your expungement can still be used as evidence against you.

To learn more about your state’s DUI expungement process, contact an attorney in your area today. With professional legal representation, you can put the past aside and reap the many benefits of having a clean criminal record.