Driving under the influence, commonly called DUI, is a serious offense that can cause all kinds of trouble in the future. DUIs can stay on your record for a long time, and it can be difficult to navigate certain opportunities, such as employment opportunities if you are dealing with DUIs on your driving record and background check. Our article tells you more about DUIs and how long this offense might stay on your record.
Is a DUI a Criminal Offense?
A DUI is generally considered a criminal offense, though it may differ in severity depending on the circumstances surrounding the DUI. Most states also have different laws about how a DUI is treated and which factors can increase the severity of a DUI. This offense may be a misdemeanor, or it may be a felony that goes along with other charges, such as criminal charges for injuring or killing another person in a DUI car crash.
If you are arrested for a DUI, you will have a criminal record, and you will need a DUI defense lawyer immediately to help you navigate the impacts of a DUI on your life going forward.
Will a DUI Show Up on a Background Check?
A DUI is considered a criminal offense, and it may appear on both your driving record and a criminal record.
This means that a DUI will show up on any background check an employer or another individual runs on you. Your DUI records, such as related arrest records or criminal court records, will also be treated as part of the public record and can be found with public record lookups. Any member of the public may research your DUI and related charges and find this information about you.
After a DUI lands on your record, it may be there indefinitely. This is especially true of felony DUIs, which remain on a criminal record forever. In most states, you can expect details of your DUI to stay on your background check starting from the time you receive a criminal conviction for your DUI.
It’s important to note that while some states will treat your driving record the same as your background check reports and criminal records, meaning that a DUI will be on your driving record indefinitely, some states put a limit on a DUI on your driving record.
For example, in the state of Virginia, your driving record is separate from your criminal record. A DUI charge will generally only be on your driving record for eleven years, while it will stay on your criminal record indefinitely. This can be a positive for some individuals who are worried about the state of their driving record after a DUI is received.
You will need to check specific state laws surrounding DUI records in your area to determine whether or not a DUI will stay on your records indefinitely or not.
Can I Remove a DUI From My Record?
It is not usually possible to remove a DUI from your record unless you go through the process of sealing your records or expunging them. You will need a lawyer to help you with either of these processes. When your record is sealed, the details about your DUI are sealed from public record but still available for court officials and law enforcement officers to view. With expunged records, the details of your DUI are completely erased from your records.
Only certain types of DUI offenses will be eligible for sealing or expungement. Typically, only minor DUIs that are never repeated will be eligible for either of these processes. Serious DUIs or felony DUIs are most likely ineligible to be sealed or expunged from your record.
How Long Is a DUI on Your Record: Now You Know
DUIs can have serious impacts, and you may find trouble passing criminal background checks and even finding a job when you have a DUI on your record. Most DUIs will stay on your record for life, and very few DUIs are eligible for sealing or expungement. We recommend speaking to a lawyer about your options when it comes to understanding the impacts of a DUI.
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