Alabama DUI Expungement

Long after you have completed your sentence, the effects of having an Alabama driving under the influence (DUI) conviction on your record can linger. Because your criminal record can be accessed by third parties, applying for jobs and housing may be difficult without a clean background. Fortunately, you may be eligible to have your conviction removed from your record. If you are interested in having your DUI expunged, you should speak with an experienced Alabama attorney.

Many people are under the impression that a DUI offense is removed from your record after a certain time period. However, this is not the case. In order to have your drunk-driving offense removed from your record, you must be proactive and file the necessary paperwork. Hiring an attorney who has handled expungement cases before can speed up this process and ensure that everything is handled properly.

Expungement occurs when your records are hidden from the public. In some cases, the records of your arrest and conviction may be destroyed completely, while in others, your record is sealed and cannot be found by the general public.

In order to have your record expunged, you must first submit a petition with the court. Please note that you may be ineligible for expungement if you are still completing your DUI sentence or are on probation; however, in some cases, your attorney may file a motion to terminate your probation early. Expungement is typically limited to first-time, misdemeanor offenders.

If the court grants your expungement request, an order will be sent to law enforcement agencies to destroy or seal the records of your arrest. These records may include your arrest report, fingerprints, and DNA. Your conviction file will also be destroyed or sealed.

After expungement, you may truthfully answer “no” on any applications that ask if you have ever been arrested. However, you are ever arrested again for a similar crime, your first offense may be used in determining your sentence. This means that if you are arrested for DUI again in the future, you may face increased penalties for committing a second offense.

To learn more about Alabama DUI expungement, and how it applies in your case, contact The Whitney B. Polson DUI Defense Office today by filling out our online form.