DUI/DWI Expungement

The consequences of a DUI or DWI conviction are far-reaching. Besides the criminal penalties you may incur, your insurance rates will skyrocket. Your employment and future job opportunities may also be at risk if an employer discovers a drunk-driving conviction on your record.

Expunging Your DUI/DWI From Record

If you have been convicted of DUI/DWI, or plead guilty, there is hope. In some cases, you may be eligible to have a drinking and driving charge expunged from your record. No more worrying the next time you apply for a job – if your DUI is expunged, your record will be clean.

So what is DUI expungement? This means that the legal record of your DUI conviction is sealed, or erased. It is almost as if your DUI conviction never occurred.

As stated above, a DUI expungement allows someone with a driving under the influence conviction on his or her record to deny the conviction on a job application. This is one of the main benefits to expungement. Because there are also some colleges that do a background check on applicants, DUI expungement will also make your school admissions easier.

It is important to note that DUI expungement is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. In some states, the expunged DUI/DWI conviction may be revived in a later prosecution for a second or third drunk-driving offense. The penalties for a DUI conviction are often dependant on the number of previous DUI offenses on your record – this means that your expunged DUI charge will be counted by the court.

There are also certain times when a person must disclose an expunged DUI or DWI conviction. For example, if asked directly if you have been convicted of a crime on an application for public office, or for licensure by a government agency, you must disclose your expunged conviction.

Contact A Lawyer For Help With Your Expungement

An expungement does not occur automatically. You should hire an experienced attorney to help you file the necessary motions with the court to have your DUI conviction removed from your record.

Who is eligible for expungement? If you have finished your probation, are not facing new charges, and complied with the items the judge ordered you to complete, you might be eligible for DUI expungement.