Expunge Your DUI Record in California
Expunge Your DUI Record in California
In California, those who are found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs receive a DUI conviction on their criminal record. There are different types of DUIs and they range in penalties, but what is common to all of them are the negative ramifications. For example, the DUI could have a negative impact on someone’s ability to gain employment or engage in other activities that require a criminal background check. In some cases, a person may be eligible for expunging the DUI conviction from their record. If you are interested in expungement or have more questions, seek the counsel of an experienced attorney.
What is a DUI Expungement?
A DUI on your record will adversely affect aspects of your life, which is why some individuals choose to expunge the conviction. First, the person must petition for an expungement for the specific conviction. Depending on the circumstances of the case and meeting the eligibility requirements, a judge can grant the petition to expunge the DUI conviction. The DUI could have come about in two different ways: either the individual had pleaded guilty or no contest, or a trial found them to be guilty. Both cases can receive an expungement.
Who is eligible for the DUI expungement?
Not every single person convicted of a DUI can petition for it to be expunged from their criminal record. To be eligible for this process, the person must have finished their probation and not have spent time in prison for this specific crime. According to these criteria, those who faced a DUI but then had to serve time in a state prison cannot apply to receive an expungement for the DUI. However, if the individual commits more DUIs in the future, the expunged DUI still shows up in their history and will affect future sentencing. Furthermore, the expungement cannot return a suspended license and will remain on DMV records.
