How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Criminal and Driving Record?
If you are convicted of a DUI in California, the conviction will go on both your driving record and your criminal record. In California, a DUI will stay on your driving record for 10 years. This period starts from the date of your arrest, rather than the date of your conviction.
This can affect decisions that the DMV makes about whether to suspend, revoke or reinstate your driving license. Insurance companies will also be able to see a DUI on your driving record and can increase your rates as a result.
A California DUI conviction will stay on your criminal record permanently. However, in some cases, you can get a DUI expunged from your record once you have paid any fines, served your custodial sentence, or completed your probation period.
Passing a background check with a DUI on your record can be difficult. If you get convicted of a DUI in California, the conviction can show up on a background check for up to ten years. A background check can also reveal any charges related to a DUI, such as convictions for refusing a BAC test after a DUI arrest or other impaired driving offenses.
However, whether you already have a DUI on your record or you are facing a possible conviction, a Los Angeles DUI attorney may be able to help you.
How to Remove DUI From a Driving Record?
You cannot remove a DUI from your driving record in California. After 10 years, it will be removed from your record. Until then, it could appear in background checks if your employer decides to check your driving record as well as your criminal record.
You can request public record sites to take down information about you, but it will still be available in public data archives.
How to Remove DUI From a Criminal Record?
A DUI conviction can be removed from your criminal record under certain conditions. This is called an expungement.
The conviction can be expunged from your record if you meet the following criteria:
- You have completed all penalties given for your DUI conviction, such as completing probation and paying fines
- You did not have to spend time in state prison for the conviction
- You are not currently facing the possibility of any other criminal convictions
While an expunged DUI conviction usually does not show up on a criminal background check, some will report that a conviction has been expunged from your record.
Expunging your DUI conviction can help you get a job or an apartment. If you have a DUI conviction on your record or are facing a DUI charge in California, contact our attorneys for expert legal advice to get you the best outcome.