Aside from jail time, fines, license suspension, probation, and perhaps classes, a DUI conviction in California can also result in a permanent mark on a person’s criminal record. It is important to understand that having a criminal record can make it difficult to gain employment, register for college, and purchase a car or a house.
Fortunately, those with DUI convictions can expunge their DUI conviction from their criminal record through the court system. This means that you do not have to reveal to a potential employer that you have been convicted of a DUI and that the conviction will not show up in a background check.
Eligibility of Expungement
To be eligible for an expungement in California, an individual must complete probation or wait one year on lower level misdemeanors (since no probations are given for these offenses), pay all fines and restitution, and not be facing any other charges or serving any sentence currently. Typically the first, second, and third DUI convictions are misdemeanors, while any subsequent convictions are felonies.
A DUI expungement functions in a similar way as any other criminal record expungement in California. A petition is filed with the court and then reviewed by the judge. If the judge grants the expungement, the individual withdraws their guilty or no contest plea, re-enters their plea of “not guilty,” and the case is dismissed.
However, a DUI remains “priorable” in California for 10 years, despite if the conviction is expunged. This means that if you should obtain another DUI conviction within the 10-year window, the court and DMV will treat it as a repeat offense.
Contact Our Ventura DUI Lawyer to Get Your Conviction Expunged Today
At The Law Offices of Robert F. Sommers, our Ventura DUI attorney can help you get your DUI conviction expunged and get your life back to normal. With more than 20 years of experience, he has the comprehensive knowledge of state driving laws and court processes to navigate through the complexities of your case and conviction for you.
Do not hesitate to contact our firm and request a free consultation today. We are proud to defend clients throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara County, and Woodland Hills.