Getting A DUI Erased or Expunged from Your Record

Recent DUI laws have made it possible for a DUI conviction to remain on your permanent record forever. Depending on which state you live in this may not be the case for you, and there are methods available to get that DUI or DWI conviction cleared from your record. You need to be familiar with these procedures, because some of them must be done soon after your arrest to be effective.

Why It’s Important To Clear Your Record

Not everyone knows that arrests and convictions can come back to haunt you later in life. Depending on how your criminal record looks, you might not be able to secure certain types of employment. Criminal activity shows up on your credit report, so if you’re applying for a job, potential employers have access to that information and may decide not hire you based on your history.

To have access to this information though, permission is usually required from the potential employee in written form. The information that shows up on your credit report includes arrests that you’ve had over the last 7 years, as well as any convictions. This of course includes DUI arrests and DUI convictions, so you definitely want them removed from your record if possible. Right now is not the best time to have any red flags against you while in search of a job.

Can A DUI Charge Be Expunged?

By definition, an expungement is a legal procedure that seeks to seal or destroy traces of a previous conviction or arrest from your records. This can usually only be done after a set period of time has elapsed, (generally a year or so). If done successfully, the conviction or arrest is said to be “expunged”, and it will no longer appear on your record when potential employers or creditors look over your credit score.

However, some states don’t have expungement as an option for felonies, misdemeanors, or even probations. This means that depending on where you live, it may not be possible to have your DUI conviction or arrest erased from your record unless you take other legal actions.

The one exception in all states seems to be that if you were convicted of a DUI as a minor (under the age of 21) you are considered to be a youthful offender, and therefore may be able to expunge the offense.

Other Methods for Erasing a DUI from Your Permanent Record

There are a couple legal processes one may utilize to contest a DUI conviction or arrest. If these processes are successful, the DUI charge will be removed from their record.

Appeal a DUI conviction- One of these methods is to appeal your DUI conviction. If there was a mistake made during your trial, or if the jury disregarded the facts presented in the case when making their decision you may be eligible for an appeal. Appealing a DUI, if successful will reverse the previous conviction and clear the blemish from your record.

Request a new trial- Another way to contest your DUI record is to request a new trial from the judge. If evidence was mishandled or there were some other procedural issues during your case, your DUI lawyer can most likely get you a new trial. Your entire case can be presented again to a fresh jury. If you are found not guilty in this trial, your record would be as clean as if you were never convicted in the first place.

Is it Possible to Clear a DUI from MY Record?

Depending on circumstances, you might be able to get your DUI cleared from your record. This depends on which state you live in, the circumstances of your arrest and the procedures utilized in your trial. But you need to have an experienced professional take a look at the facts to be sure what method will work best for you. Fill out the free evaluation form below, and you’ll be contacted shortly by one of our legal professionals. Be wary of bad DUI lawyers. If an opportunity to clear your record is possible you need to act quickly. Act now, and clear your record of unnecessary blemishes that can negatively affect your future.