How Long For A DUI Misdemeanor To Come Off Your Record For Employment?
When you end up with a DUI conviction, it goes on both your criminal record and your driving record. The conviction on your criminal record never goes away, and the length of time it remains on your driving record can vary depending on your state laws and on the specifics of the DUI conviction. While it is possible to get a DUI conviction expunged from your criminal record after a certain length of time, this process is not quick or easy. Even a misdemeanor DUI conviction can present problems when you’re seeking employment, particularly for jobs that will require you to drive a company vehicle. There are some steps you can take to minimize the long-term consequences, provided you prove in good faith the crime will never be repeated.
Depending on your state, DUI laws may allow you to get your misdemeanor conviction expunged under certain circumstances. Contacting a knowledgeable DUI attorney about this matter is highly advisable. If a judge approves and grants the expungement, your DUI misdemeanor will no longer be a matter of public record, though in most states it will still be accessible to hard inquiries from financial institutions or federal government agencies. Each state also has a waiting period between your conviction and when you’ll be eligible to possibly have it expunged, and this time frame can also vary from one state to the next. Some state laws allow expungement after one year, but some others require you to wait as long as five years.
Attempting to get a DUI misdemeanor taken off your criminal record is advantageous for improving your employment prospects. Keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to get a DUI expunged from your driving record in most states. When considering whether to take a DUI off your current driving record, a judge will look at several extenuating factors. These can include whether you have any further alcohol-related misdemeanor charges or if you’ve completed court-mandated alcohol-abuse counseling. In any circumstances, it will help your case exponentially if you’re able to consult with a high quality lawyer who specializes in DUI convictions and is well-versed in all related local laws.
