Get information about how long a DUI stays on your record in California with this article.
Were you convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in California? If so, your DUI conviction will appear on both your criminal record and your driving record. How long does it take for a DUI to come off your record in this situation?
Generally, DUI charges remain on your driving record for 10 years. During this 10-year period, the court considers the charge “priorable.” This means it counts against you if you are accused of subsequent DUI offenses. Find out more about DUIs on your record now.
DUIs and Your Driving Record in California
DUIs stay on your driving record for 10 years in the state of California. Your ten-year period starts when you are arrested, not when you are convicted. All DUIs in the state of California are priorable. You face harsher penalties each time you are convicted of a DUI.
Many drivers do not realize how serious subsequent DUI offenses are. Let’s focus on the results of a first and second DUI to review the repercussions for a conviction. A first DUI in California may result in:
- Up to six months of jail time
- Up to six months of time using an ignition interlock device (IID)
- Up to nine months of time in DUI school
A second DUI within a 10-year period could result in:
- Up to one year of jail time
- Up to one year of time using an IID
- Up to 30 months in DUI school
The penalties for DUIs continue to increase with subsequent convictions. You can get help dealing with a first or subsequent DUI charge. Just call (310) 997-4688 to contact a member of a legal team in California.
DUIs and Your Criminal Record in California
A DUI conviction also remains on your criminal record in the state of California. A DUI charge does not automatically fall off of your criminal record. It remains on your record and may be visible to anyone who runs a background check. This could include:
- Potential employers
- Landlords
- Institutes for higher education
Criminal charges may impact your ability to get a job or a place to live in California. A conviction may even affect your chances of getting into the college of your choice. Make sure that you take DUI charges seriously, as they may have effects on your life for years to come.
Handle DUI Charges Before a Conviction
You can take steps to resolve DUI charges in California before you are convicted. This could keep DUI convictions off of your record. You can reach out to a DUI lawyer for help. Your lawyer may focus on:
- Getting your charges dismissed
- Getting your charges reduced
A lawyer could even take steps to defend you in the courtroom in California. Your lawyer may work on your defense by working to show that you were not driving under the influence. A lawyer may also take steps to demonstrate that you were stopped without reasonable cause. These defenses may help you handle DUI charges in court.
Your lawyer may negotiate with prosecutors to help you get a plea bargain. A plea bargain requires you to admit guilt to another charge. The charge you accept may not be priorable. In this case, it would not count against you if you were charged with another DUI. However, a plea bargain charge will still show up on your criminal record.
DUI Charges and Expungement in California
Some drivers focus on getting their DUI charges expunged after a conviction. Expungement “removes” charges from your criminal record. This means that a DUI conviction might not show up on background checks anymore. Note that only some charges in California may get expunged.
You should also be aware that expungement does not affect your driving record. This means that an expunged DUI remains priorable. It will continue to count against you if you are arrested for another DUI. Therefore, expungement may not always be the best choice for handling DUIs.
Find Out How Long DUIs Stay on Your Record in California
How long does it take for a DUI to come off your record in California? It may take 10 years for a DUI to fall off of your driving record. These charges may remain on your criminal record indefinitely. Get help handling a DUI before a conviction with the Simmrin Law Group. Reach out to us by completing our online contact form. You can also call us at (310) 997-4688.
Allow us to go over your case with a free consultation. We’re ready to focus on your defense right now.