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Can a DUI Be Expunged From My Record?
It’s bad enough to be charged with and found guilty of a DUI, but it’s even worse that the ramifications of that charge linger. Your DUI stays on your record as an unwanted reminder of your past mistakes!
It’s possible that future employers will even deny your employment based on your DUI record. The good news is that some states allow DUI convictions to be expunged. Find out if your state is one of them and, if so, how you can lobby to have your conviction cleared permanently.
What Is An Expungement?
When a specific criminal conviction is removed from your criminal record, it is said to be expunged. If your conviction is truly expunged, it is permanently erased and destroyed. This means that nobody, not even law enforcement, will be able to see it in the future.
It’s also possible that your conviction could become a sealed record. This is different from an expungement. A sealed record is hidden from most searches, like an employer’s, but law enforcement and members of the court system can still view the details of your crime.
Does My State Allow DUI Expungements?
Each state handles DUI expungements in its own way. The majority of states that do allow DUI expungements limit the expungement to a first DUI offense. Second, third, and forth DUIs are not eligible to be erased.
Other states only allow the expungement of DUI arrests. This means your crime can only be erased if the charges were dropped or you were found not guilty at trial.
Florida is one of the many states that does not allow expungement of DUI convictions. If you are a resident of Florida, this means that a DUI conviction will forever impact your ability to get insurance, pass background checks, and find employment.
As soon as you are charged with a DUI, don’t waste any time finding an experienced Tampa area DUI defense attorney to take your case. Call (727) 497-7810 today for a free case evaluation with The Law Office of Robert Eckard & Associates in Tampa, Florida. Attorney Eckard and his team will walk you through your options and help you get your life back.