How long does a DUI stay on my record? What you must know
By Scott Thompson
Nowadays, people are in a hurry to get everything done and skip necessary precautions during these activities. For instance, people think driving after drinking is such a trivial issue but this poses high accident risks yearly. Moreover, driving under the influence(DUI) attracts a legal consequence in many states. Not only will driving under the influence risk your life and the life of whoever is on the trip with you, but it can also affect your eligibility for insurance.
DUI poses a threat to your clean driving records and is even more common than you think. Yearly, more than 1 million people are guilty of DUI, according to the FBI records. Most of these culprits are reportedly repeat offenders while the rest learn from their past mistakes. But for those who keep going back to this mistake, how long will this taint remain on their legal record? Below are some DUI facts to help you stay on the right path while driving.
Does having a DUI mean you’ll never drive again?
While it’s possible to remove the mark from your criminal record in some states, a DUI is not an exception. You can also find an affordable insurance policy that permits you to get back to driving for most cases. You can compare premiums from various insurance companies using this tool and identify where your budget lies and what they have to offer for people with DUI strikes.
What happens to my driving license with DUI?
In the United States, drunk driving can lead to a permanent ban on your driving license. And when you are lucky, you get to keep your license with the infraction that comes with DUI. This can affect your income level if you need sterling driving records for a job opportunity. Another downside is the increase in your car insurance cost. An average driver pays around $230 per month for auto insurance, and those with DUI pay as much as $352 monthly.
Usually, when you are pulled over on the road and suspected of a DUI offense, you are asked to take a breathalyzer to help check your blood alcohol concentration level. If you argue and refuse to take this test, your license can easily get suspended.
Is DUI considered a criminal offense?
Different states operate under various regulations. When a person is first arrested for driving under the influence, it’s dismissed as a minor misdemeanor. However, when it happens for the third time, it can be termed a felony. Although a DUI can be considered a traffic offense, you might still end up with a criminal record. In some cases, this conviction can be removed, or it will stay permanently in your documents.
This can come back to bite you in the future. If you get into any police trouble, you might get a heavy punishment due to your past. Luckily, some states have a period of grace for prior convictions. So your second arrest might not be affected by penalties for the first.
However, having a criminal record might make you lose in child custody court. You can get denied fireman ownership and some basic privileges too. An immigrant might lose their chance of becoming a citizen with constant reports. Lastly, since many employers conduct a criminal check before hiring, it might be challenging to find a well-paying job with your regular drunk driving records.
Drunk driving is more common than you think and it can get you arrested if you are unfortunate. A defense attorney can advise you on the following steps to take after getting a DUI. Sometimes you can seal your records to help hide them from the public. But some states still count expunged DUI as an offense. Always take precautions and avoid drunk driving.
Depending on your state of residence, DUI records can stay up to 10 years with you. California, Illinois, Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina all have different laws. Driving under the influence is not a good record on your sheet, so it’s advisable to avoid it, especially for second and third-time offenses. Getting a charge is not the end of the road, but what you do after it speaks a lot about your character. Find more information about qualified attorneys to work with here.