If you have been convicted of a DUI or DWI, then you may already understand the full impact of a sentence. There is more to it than a jail term and extensive fines. One of the lasting effects of a conviction is having it imprinted on your personal record. This is something that can haunt your every step when you apply for a new job, a place to live, a loan, and more. If you have this offense on your record, this can also keep you from being accepted by the school of your dreams, it could put a damper on a potential relationship, and it can affect immigration matters. The same consequences can be true even if you have only been arrested and not convicted of this offense.

What if you could erase your DUI? For the most part, you can, if the circumstances are right. The qualifications and procedure can vary from state to state, so be certain to consult with a DUI lawyer. Nonetheless, there are some guidelines to give you an idea of how an expungement could work.

Here are some of the basic qualifications you may have to meet in order to be eligible for an expungement of your DUI. For one thing, you have to have served the rest of your sentence already. That means that you have served your time in jail or prison, paid up your fines, finished your community service, completed any education courses, etc. You also cannot have any other cases pending. If you want to seal a DUI conviction, it will probably have to be a misdemeanor conviction to succeed. There may be ways to have a felony reduced to a misdemeanor after the fact, however, meaning that you can then petition a court for expungement of the newly rebranded misdemeanor.

Expunging or sealing your record means that almost no one can see the record of your arrest and/or conviction. This record would not be available to the public. Most employers would not be able to see this record, opening up more doors to jobs than ever before. If you are ever tapped to take a board position in an organization, having this wiped clean from your record could make all the difference in being able to receive this honor. If you are facing immigration issues, having a DUI arrest or conviction sealed could clear up matters. You may be able to qualify for more immigration benefits, and this might be enough to put a stop to any removal process. The benefits of expungement can be nearly endless.

There are still situations where this record can come up, however, such as if you are arrested again. A judge and prosecutor will probably be able to see your sealed records. Even a sealed record can be used to qualify the DUI as a repeat offense. Some employers will still be able to look at this record, such if you apply for a government position or for employment as a teacher. Expungement is also something that you can only do once. If you have achieved this sealing before, then there is no doing it again.

All the same, if you can get an expungement, the quality of your life can improve tremendously. With a sealed record, you can truthfully say that you have never been convicted of a crime. To find out if you are eligible for an expungement, consult an experienced DUI attorney. If you do qualify for this process, then you will certainly want to have knowledgeable and skilled legal representation on your side. Call a DUI lawyer today!