When Can I Expunge My DUI Charge?

A drunk driving charge on your criminal record can be detrimental in many ways. It can hold you back from being approved for certain types of licenses, like commercial drivers’ licenses and forklift certifications. It can also prevent you from being a possible candidate for a competitive job position or promotion. And for felony DUI cases, it can prevent you from being employed entirely. For these reason and many more, expunging or sealing a DUI conviction on your criminal records is in your best interest.

Unfortunately, not everyone will qualify for criminal record expungement, as there are various perquisites, limitations, and conditions. So it is important to discuss your eligibility with an experienced lawyer who is well-versed in your state’s expungement laws and procedures. It is also important to file your expungement applications perfectly, because one simple filing error (like a misspelled name) will get your application denied; and you can only apply for criminal expungement ONCE in your life.

An experienced criminal attorney can facilitate the application and filing process for you in order to avoid mistakes and increase your chances of being approved. They will navigate your case accurately to ensure you have done everything right on your part. Continue reading to learn some facts about DUI expungement and who to trust for proficient legal representation when the time comes to apply yourself.

DUI Expungement

When a person is arrested for driving under the influence, they are often convicted of a “DUI”, also known as an OWI (operated while intoxicated), and DWI (driving while intoxicated). The acronym used largely depends on the state and county, but it is wise to know they all mean the exact same thing. A DUI charge doesn’t always pertain to “drunk” driving either, since a person can be intoxicated by other substances, like narcotic medication and illicit drugs. Whether your DUI was a result of alcohol or drugs, the terms of criminal record expungement are the same. On the other hand, the severity of the crime and your personal criminal history will determine the amount of time that needs to pass before you are eligible to apply for expungement.

For instance, if you were convicted of a misdemeanor in Indiana (or Level 6 felony reduced to a misdemeanor), you have to wait at least 5 years from the date of conviction, among a list of other conditions. Other conditions include:

• No other criminal convictions in the past 5 years
• No current drivers’ license suspension
• No current, further, or pending criminal charges
• All sentencing requirements have been met

(i.e. probation, community service, fines, etc.)

If you were convicted of a Level 6 DUI felony, time lengths increase to 8 years while all other above-mentioned conditions remain the same.

If you were convicted of a more serious DUI felony than a LEVEL 6, the 8-year time line and conditions stay the same, however, a court may or may not approve the expungement.

Talk to a licensed criminal defense attorney that is well-versed and experienced with the Indiana criminal record expungement laws and procedures. They are the best resource for making sure your DUI record expungement filing and paperwork is carried out faultlessly, giving you a better chance of approval.

An Indianapolis Expungement Lawyer You Can Trust

Call 317-636-7514 for professional and affordable criminal record expungement services in Indianapolis. Don’t think you can afford to expunge DUI criminal records in Indiana? Think again! Our expungement legal services start as low as $850! Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your criminal records, and determine your eligibility. Call 317-636-7514 to finally expunge DUI records in Indiana, today!