DWI Expungement
Being convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can change your life. Even after you complete your sentence, the ramifications of having a DWI on your record can affect your choice in schools, employment, and even mortgage lenders.DWI expungement can help your life return to normal. Expungement means that your DWI conviction is legally erased from your records. Therefore, if an application requires you to state whether you have ever been convicted of a crime, you can legally say “no.” The drinking and driving conviction will not show up on any criminal background checks.
In some states, an expunged DWI conviction may be considered if you are charged with an additional drunk-driving offense. As DWI penalties are determined by the number of prior offenses on your record, you may be sentenced to more jail time or increased fines.
Expungement is typically reserved for first-time offenders. In order to be eligible for DWI expungement, a certain amount of time must have passed after your conviction. You must have also completed your court-imposed obligations, such as paying fines or performing community service. The court will also take the reason for the expungement request into consideration when making a decision.
A DWI expungement does not happen automatically—you must request it. To do this, you should ensure that all paperwork is filled out correctly before submitting it to the court. An experienced attorney can help file the required expungement forms.
If you are approved for expungement, all of the records pertaining to your DWI conviction will be erased. This means that any warrants, arrests, photographs, and fingerprints will be removed, virtually erasing all traces of your drunk-driving offense.
After your expungement, you can confidently apply for school or employment, knowing that no one will find out about your DWI conviction. This is important, as many schools and employers require a clean criminal background check.
Because the laws regarding DWI expungement vary from state to state, it is important to speak with an experienced defense lawyer in your area. Your attorney can determine whether or not you are eligible for DWI expungement. Contact an attorney today to discuss your expungement options.
