In the state of Florida, if you operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%, you will be charged with driving while under the influence (DUI). DUIs carry significant penalties. If convicted, you will be subject to harsh penalties including an array of fines, installation of an ignition interlock device (IID), community service, license suspension, and even jail time. However, the repercussions of this crime do not stop there. The consequences will haunt you for the rest of your life. With that being said, many wonder whether they can have their DUI expunged from their criminal record. Keep reading to learn whether you can seal or expunge a DUI from your record and discover how our proficient Pensacola DUI Defense Lawyer can help you.
Is it possible to get a DUI expunged from my record?
In Florida, DUI convictions have long-lasting consequences. One of those consequences is that the conviction permanently appears on your criminal record. There is a common misconception that a DUI conviction will be removed from a criminal record after a certain amount of time has passed. However, that is not the case. If you are convicted of DUI, it will remain on your record forever and anyone that looks at your record, whether it be for auto insurance or an employment opportunity, will be able to see the DUI conviction. In some states, you can have a DUI conviction removed from your record. Florida is not one of those states.
Although you cannot have your DUI expunged from your record, there are other ways to prevent it from appearing. Firstly, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced lawyer who can defend your rights and raise available defense strategies to get the charges brought against you dismissed. Essentially, once you have been convicted there is nothing you can do to seal or expunge your DUI conviction from your record. However, during your criminal trial, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress certain evidence from being presented and used against you in court. If a judge grants your motion, the prosecution may not be able to convict as they lack evidence. If the charges against you are dropped the DUI will not appear on your record. Ultimately, the only way to avoid having a DUI conviction on your criminal record is if the prosecution drops the charges or the court finds you not guilty after trying your case.
If you have been charged with DUI, you need to retain a skilled Pensacola DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible. Since DUI convictions cannot be expunged from your criminal record once convicted, it is critical to have quality legal representation who can help you raise defense strategies to reach dismissed charges. Allow our firm to represent your interests in court today to achieve the best possible outcome.
