Understanding Your Rights

Tips To Help You Determine If You Should Request An Expungement Of A DUI Charge

The consequences of getting charged with a DUI can linger for a very long time, and DUI charges on your record can affect your driving privileges and your ability to get a job. If this is something you are struggling with, you may want to look into getting this charge expunged from your record. Getting a criminal charge expunged is not always easy, but it may be worth a try. Here are some tips to help you accomplish this.

Only attempt this if your record is clean

Expungement is a process that removes a person's criminal charges from public records. This means that no one will be able to look up your criminal history and find this information on court databases. If you can accomplish this, you will no longer have to worry about the long-lasting consequences a DUI can have on your life.

Getting a DUI charge expunged will be a lot easier for you if you have a clean record. When you request expungement of a charge, the judge handling the request will want to see your criminal history. If the judge sees that you have many other charges on file, he or she might instantly deny the request. If your record is clear, other than the DUI charge, the judge may be more willing to approve your request.

Make sure you have completed every necessary step

There are states that do not allow expungement of criminal records, and there are states that do. If your state allows this, it is likely that the state does not have a clear time period as to when you can request this.

States that do allow expungement will not even consider expunging a record until the person has completed all necessary court orders. For example, if you were required to complete a defensive driving class after your DUI, you should not request expungement until after you have completed the class.

In addition, if you are on probation for the DUI, you should not ask for an expungement until your probation period ends. If the court ordered you to do something, you will have a hard time getting an approval for the expungement if you did not follow through with these orders.

To get a DUI charge expunged, you will need to hire a DUI attorney. The attorney can help you file the correct documents to the court, and he or she will help you determine if you are eligible for this. To learn more, contact a DUI attorney in your neighborhood.  


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