California DUI Expungement

Whether you were wrongly accused of DUI, pleaded no contest or have fulfilled your sentencing terms, you may be a candidate for what is known as DUI expungement. This is essentially a way for you to clear your good name with the court system. An expungement is when the court rules that your DUI conviction be removed from your criminal record. This is a form of relief for those that bear the burden of a DUI conviction, which can prevent people from getting into schools, finding apartments or obtaining employment. A DUI defense attorney can help you follow the necessary steps for a DUI expungement.

Understanding the expungement process

It’s important to hire an experienced DUI attorney that can help you with this complicated legal procedure. With the help of your attorney, the court can agree to expunge your record by replacing your previous guilty verdict with a not guilty ruling. Then, the DUI case against you will be dismissed. You can finally move on with your life and leave this unpleasant situation behind you!

After the expungement process is complete, you will not be legally required to inform employers, schools or landlords about your DUI conviction. It’s like it never even happened. There are rare circumstances where you will be required to provide this information such as if you were signing a contract with the California State Lottery, running for public office or applying for a license with a local or state agency.

A DUI expungement is not, however completely swept under the rug with the court system. The reason it is not is if you are later convicted of another DUI within a ten-year time frame. If you are charged with another DUI during this period, your previous DUI expungement will now be considered a first-offense. This now means you have a second offense DUI, which carries more serious penalties.

If you are wondering if DUI expungement may be considered for your case, please contact a DUI lawyer right away.The expungement process takes time and the sooner they can get started, the sooner you can get your record clean!