California DUI Law AB645 Makes it Harder to Clear DUI Arrest
Only two months remain before Assembly Bill 645 will make it difficult to expunge a criminal record in California for a DUI arrest.
Californians routinely exercise their right to clear their criminal records after they have completed the terms of their probation. Starting January 1, 2008, though, a new law will make that process much more difficult.
Motorists who have been convicted of certain driving violations, including California DUI and reckless driving, can have their record ‘expunged’. A request to clear one’s arrest record can be made after successful completion of the terms of probation mandated by a court. Moving violations, like speeding, are removed from the Department of Motor Vehicles records over time. Criminal convictions, however, remain on a permanent record unless they are expunged.
Last June, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California Assembly Bill 645, which, when it goes into effect in January, will alter the current expungement law and make it more difficult to clear one’s record. The new law will require those seeking to expunge their records to prove to a judge that the request is “in the interest of justice.”
The consequences of having a criminal record are significant. Computers, and the subsequent growth in databases with personal information, mean that arrest records are easily discovered and shared. Canada has long denied those with a criminal record to enter the country, and file sharing with the United States since September 11, 2001 has led to a marked increase in the enforcement of that statute. A criminal record can make it difficult to find or keep a job, as reports show that more than 80% of employers routinely perform background checks on job applicants.
California criminal defense lawyers are urging their clients to apply for expungement before the January 1, 2008 deadline. If not, they warn that those who have been convicted of DUI in California, reckless driving or driving with a suspended driver’s license may have to go through life with a permanent criminal record.
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Filed in California DUI | Permalink | Comments (14)
The current approach seems to correct one individual at a time by arrests, fines and jail time which BTW is a useless way of dealing with DUIs.
I think everyone would benefit by educating people and providing public transportation. But I think that is too much to ask for in terms of money spent. Going to war with another country and wasting trillions seems to be a better way of spending the money instead.
My husband recieved a DUI 7 years ago because he was under the legal age to drink. I agree that he should not have had a beer, and then drive his friend home. However, he doesn't even drink anymore. He is working on his teaching credential now, and we just found out that he may not be able to teach. After 6 years of college. He payed for his mistake 7 years ago! Meanwhile, a guy just go arrested who was an assistant principle for sexual assault on a 13 year old girl. Come to find out he had a battery charge on his record before he was hired. But, you are right a DUI is way worse! Keep up the good work!
Maybe I should have thought about what I did before I did it but the point is I can't go back. I made a mistake and in this country we are allowed the opportunity to correct ourselves. I'm crying as I write this. It kills me to think I may never get a chance to make a difference in what I though I could do in this country and helping juveniles just because of my DUI. However, I am not one to give up. I though getting the DUI and going though the fines and program was the end, but this will just be another road block. Governor Schwarzenegger can kiss my ass! That's why I did not and never will vote for him or any other Republican for that matter!!
tomorrow they will arresting us for doing that and not having a seat belt on.
If you hand your children the car keys so that they go back to the car and listen to the radio then they will arrest them for driving without license and you for providing them the means.
There is no equal protection under the law for consumers of alcohol. You get in an accident after drinking anything and you are at fault even the other car crossed the center line and clobbered you.
this is not justice people this is throwing the innocent to the system and wrecking lives.
This is not prosecution, this is persecution.
If you are so twisted that you have to use alcohol consumption to kick someone to the curb then I don't want near me or my family because you are one sick person.
Those who can not forgive are those who themselves have committed unspeakable and unforgivable things. Because this is so they constantly seek excuses to look down others and kick people to the curb.
It does not take a rocket scientist to see that these things.
Even if DUIs were to stop tomorrow there would be something else.
Next they will be throwing people who drive without proper rest to the wolves.
What is their excuse when they cause accidents. They were not mpaired in judgement. They knew they were tired yet decided to take the lives of others into thier hands.
Yep, thats the next one. You drive tired you deserve to bleed a slow and painful life wether you hurt anyone or not.
Between DUIs and pot possesion we are creating an ever expensive incarceration industry because we have been taught that we HAVE to look down on good people who make normal mistakes.
We have becoe a very, very mean spirited society and that is what really needs to be addressed here. Why is it that ALL we want to do is lock people away and destroy thier lives for daring to be normal human beings?





