At the Griffin Law Office, our San Diego DUI defense lawyer knows that even a first offense for driving under the influence in California comes with far-reaching consequences.
To start, if you are convicted of a DUI in California, the conviction will go on both your driving and criminal records, which can impede your ability to drive, raise your car insurance rates, and appear during a criminal background check.
Here is what California residents need to know about DUI charges and convictions and how long they are visible to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the public.
How Long Does a California DUI Conviction Remain on Your Driving and Criminal Records?
In California, a DUI will stay on your driving record for ten years, beginning from the date of your arrest, not a conviction.
You cannot remove a DUI from your driving record in California. It will be removed automatically after ten years.
A California DUI conviction will stay on your criminal record permanently, but in some cases, a DUI may be expunged from your record.
A DUI conviction may be expunged from an eligible person’s criminal record if:
- You did not have to spend time in state prison for the conviction
- You are not currently facing the possibility of any other criminal convictions
- You have completed all penalties, including completing all probation requirements and paying fines
An expunged DUI conviction is typically not visible on a criminal background check, also some will report that a conviction has been expunged from your record.
Have You Been Charged with a DUI in California? We Can Help.
Whether you are facing a possible DUI conviction or already have a DUI on your record and would like to pursue an expungement, passing a background check with a DUI on your record can be difficult, and may impede your ability to find a job, or keep your current employment, obtain a loan, or find housing.
Partnering with a skilled DUI defense attorney in San Diego County can help you understand the penalties that are associated with a conviction or provide expungement solutions that allow you to put these charges behind you.
Contact our skilled San Diego DUI defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights and how we accomplish favorable outcomes for each of our client’s unique needs by calling 619-269-2131 to discuss the details of your case today.
Please contact our San Diego criminal defense attorneys to get legal help for your criminal cases.