How Long Will A DUI Show On Background Check?
Once you are convicted of driving under the influence, your life can change in several ways.
You will likely need to part with your vehicle, even if it is your first offense. Your license may be suspended for at least six months to a year or longer. It will depend on the state in which you reside. Also, you might be required to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees, fines and other miscellaneous charges.
You might even be forced to pay these bills from your retirement or savings accounts. And finally, records of your conviction might continue to show on your driving record for 3 to 12 years from the date of the initial charge.
While it is possible for a state official or judge to remove the conviction, finding someone to do so is rare.
How the Court Will Treat You
Typically, the court system in your state will treat you as a repeat or prior offender. That will be the rule as long as the crime is on your driving record.
If you are caught driving under the influence a second time, the judge will consider the prior conviction. Penalties for repeat offenders are often harsher than those handed down to first-time offenders.
Keep in mind that most states treat DUI convictions as both severe crimes and driving infractions. It will appear on your driving record and on your criminal record.
A DUI Charge and Its Effect on Your Work
Private employers and other third-party criminal background checks done prior to employment will likely show a DUI arrest and actual convictions. Unless your criminal record is sealed, the information will be indefinitely visible to potential employers.
In addition, the difference between a conviction and an arrest might matter to your future employer. If the court dismisses your DUI case, your criminal record will note that the charge was dropped by the state. With that, you can avoid the “criminal” label that has plagued job seekers.
Even if your criminal record shows that you’re convicted of a DUI, your state won’t allow it to be used against you. In other cases, an employer may request criminal history but only 5 or 7 years back from the date on which you are applying. You can also run a background check on yourself, using a background search tool to find out if a DUI or anything else you’re concerned about is still showing up on your background check.
