A DUI conviction can have a lasting impact on a person’s life.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can include jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension.
In addition, a DUI conviction can stay on a person’s record for many years.
It can make it difficult for a person to find employment or housing.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol affects more than the person driving.
Innocent people in the car or on the road can get hurt.
Contents
What Is A DUI?
A DUI charge stands for driving under the influence.
It is a crime to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The consequences of a DUI conviction can be severe.
When your alcohol limit reaches .08% you are legally drunk in all 50 states.
Is a DUI a Misdemeanor or Felony?
The consequences of a DUI conviction depend on the state in which you receive the conviction.
In most states, a DUI is a misdemeanor.
A misdemeanor is a lesser offense than a felony.
The penalty for a Misdemeanor DUI includes a short jail time, a fine, and a driver’s license suspension.
However, in some states, a DUI can be charged as a felony.
A felony conviction can result in a longer jail sentence and higher fines.
The penalty for a felony DUI also includes a driver’s license suspension.
A Misdemeanor DUI can become a felony for the following reasons:
- if you have a prior DUI conviction
- if you caused an accident that resulted in serious injury or death
- if you are driving with a child in the car
How Long Does A DUI Stay On Your Record?
A DUI conviction can stay on a person’s record for a while.
On average, it will be on your record for five to ten years.
In some states, a DUI conviction can stay on a person’s record for life.
States with Lifelong DUI Records
There are states where a DUI will stay on your record forever:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Kansas
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- Texas
- South Carolina
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Wisconsin
This can make it difficult for a person to find employment or housing.
It can also affect the person’s ability to drive.
Does a DUI Ever Disappear?
A DUI conviction will stay on a person’s record for a while, but it may eventually disappear.
The length of time it takes for a DUI conviction to disappear depends on the state.
In most states, a DUI will disappear after ten years.
Of course, the exception is states where a DUI will stay on your record for life.
Once a DUI conviction disappears, it is no longer considered a criminal offense.
It will not show up on a criminal background check.
However, the conviction will still be on your driving record.
Does a DUI Go Away After 7 Years?
No, a DUI conviction will not automatically go away after seven years.
It is a common misconception.
In several states, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for ten years.
However, in some states, a DUI can remain on your record for life.
Does a DUI Show Up on a Background Check?
A DUI conviction can show up on a background check.
However, the conviction will not show up as a criminal offense.
It will show up as a driving offense.
It can make it difficult for a person to find employment or housing.
It can also affect the person’s ability to drive.
What’s The Difference Between A DUI And A DWI?
The difference between a DUI and a DWI is a DUI is for alcohol, while a DWI is for drugs.
A DUI is a misdemeanor, while a DWI is a felony.
The consequences of a DUI and a DWI are also different.
A DUI conviction can result in a short jail sentence, a fine, and a driver’s license suspension.
A DWI conviction can result in a longer jail sentence and higher fines.
The penalty for a DWI also includes a driver’s license suspension.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving Laws By State
Alcohol-impaired driving laws change based on the state you are in.
Typical laws include:
- It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher.
- It is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol.
- It is illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol.
- It is illegal to allow a person who is under the influence of alcohol to drive your car.
- It is illegal to allow a person who is impaired by alcohol to drive your car.
- It is illegal to sell alcohol to a person who is under the influence of alcohol.
- It is illegal to sell alcohol to a person who is impaired by alcohol.
- It is illegal to give alcohol to a person who is under the influence of alcohol
License suspension or revocation for driving under the influence of alcohol:
The length of a license suspension or revocation will vary depending on the state.
Your driver’s license will get suspended for 90 days, three months, six months, or one year.
A California DUI will stay on your record for ten years.
However, a South Carolina Dui and an Arizona one come with some of the strictest DUI laws in the country.
While the consequences of a DUI conviction vary by state, some are common across the board.
You can always consult a DUI attorney in your state to learn more about the consequences of a DUI conviction in your area.
How Does Getting a DUI Affect Your Life?
A DUI is a serious offense with long-standing consequences.
So you may need to consult with a criminal defense attorney to help you with charges.
DUI And Car Insurance
A DUI arrest will affect your car insurance rates.
Your rates will go up for years after conviction.
In some cases, some car insurance companies may drop you altogether.
DUI And Employment
A DUI can affect your ability to find employment.
Many employers do background checks and will not hire someone with a DUI conviction.
For example, you won’t get a job as a DoorDash driver with a DUI.
Trucking companies are also less likely to hire someone with a DUI charge.
DUI and Housing
A DUI conviction can make it difficult to find housing.
Many landlords do criminal background checks, and a DUI conviction will show up.
A DUI charge may cause a potential landlord to hesitate to rent.
The landlord may believe that you are a risk of holding down solid employment, paying rent, disturbing the neighbors, or harming their property.
DUI And Legal Consequences
A DUI can lead to other legal consequences.
You may have to go to court, you may have to pay fines, and you may have to go to jail.
Fines can range from $500 to $10,000.
Jail time can range from 2 days to 10 years.
DUI And Immigration
A DUI criminal conviction can also lead to immigration consequences.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, a DUI conviction may make it difficult for you to stay in the country.
Typical Penalties For A DUI
The penalties for a DUI in various states include:
- A fine
- Jail time
- Community service
- Driver’s license suspension
- License revocation
- Vehicle impoundment
- Ignition interlock device
- Alcohol education or treatment program.
How To Get A DUI Off Your Driving Record
The best way to get a DUI off your driving record is to wait the required amount of time and then apply for a driver’s license reinstatement.
Can a DUI Be Expunged?
It is possible to have a DUI conviction expunged from your record.
However, the process of expunging a DUI conviction is not easy.
It depends on the state of your DUI conviction.
Usually, defendants need to have a clean criminal record to expunge a DUI.
The qualifications for expunging a DUI include:
- The DUI conviction is the only conviction on your record.
- You have no conviction of another DUI offense.
- You were not driving with a suspended or revoked license at the time of the DUI.
- You were not involved in a hit-and-run accident.
- The DUI did not result in the death of another person.
- You were not driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the DUI.
- You were not in a school zone at the time of the DUI.
- The DUI was not a felony.
The amount of time to get a DUI off your driving record will vary depending on the state.
It can take a few months or a few years.
As you can see, drunk driving is a serious offense with various consequences depending on your location.
A DUI case can affect your ability to find a job, get into college, travel, and more.
If you have a DUI charge, you can get it off your record in some cases.
A DUI expungement depends on the state of conviction.
Make sure to speak to an attorney who can help you navigate the legal system.
