Lasting Effects of a DUI / DWI

Lasting Effects of a DUI / DWI, and What To Do About Them

Most likely when you are first arrested for a drunk driving related offense your immediate concerns are spent worrying about your freedom and driving privileges. Those are the two most pressing concerns for someone who has just been arrested. Depending on the circumstances involved in your case DUI / DWI convictions can lead to prison terms and/or long term loss of driving privileges.

DUI / DWI arrests and/or convictions can also lead to many longer lasting problems in life if not dealt with properly. This article will explain what these longer term DUI / DWI problems are and what you can do about them.

Here are the other issues you’ll need to tend to after you have settled the more immediate concerns of your DUI / DWI offense.

DUI on Your Permanent Criminal Record.

Yes, in most cases your DUI / DWI related offense was considered a criminal matter. As such, if you were convicted then it was recorded to your criminal record history. This criminal history is public information and will be attached to you for the rest of your life unless you take the specific actions to clear it with the court that convicted you.

This makes it challenging to apply for future employment opportunities due to the DUI / DWI resurfacing during pre-employment background checks. These days many employers conduct background checks as a condition of employment, and may disqualify you once they discover the previous drunk driving arrest and/or conviction record. This is the single most lasting effect of getting a DUI / DWI.

What You Can Do About Your DUI Criminal History.

Most people are not aware of the fact that you can eventually clear the DUI / DWI record from your criminal history in many states across the U.S.

If your DUI / DWI offense was a misdemeanor (and your state allows it) you may seek what’s known as ‘expungement’ of your offense to formally clear the DUI / DWI from your criminal record history.

Expungement, in it’s simplest form, is the clearing and isolation of records that the court has about you (pertaining to your DUI / DWI offense). This also includes records that any detention or correctional facilities may have, records kept by law enforcement agencies, etc. When you successfully clear these records utilizing expungement procedures they will no longer exist (there are certain exceptions allowing law enforcement and some government agencies to continue to access them). This will allow you to legally answer, “no†on pre-employment background checks when asked if you have ever been convicted of any criminal offense (provided this was your only criminal matter).

What if My DUI Offense Was Considered a Felony?

Your DUI offense may be considered a felony depending on the specifics of the case (serious accident/injury/death, property damage valued at a certain level, habitual offender, etc.). If you have a felony DUI / DWI then to clear the record you first need to attempt to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor by obtaining what’s known as a ‘pardon’. This can only be done by petitioning the Governor of your state and asking for a reduction of your felony to a misdemeanor.

Once a pardon is obtained then you must go through the expungement process to clear the record as indicated above for misdemeanor DUI / DWI offenses. If you can successfully accomplish this then you’ll have escaped the longer lasting effects of getting arrested and convicted of a DUI / DWI.

Tim Haider is founder of DUI Process. For more information about this topic and other information relating to DUI offenses including SR-22 insurance help please visit his website at: http://www.duiprocess.com

Tags: DUI Related