A DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for 10 years under California law.
If you have been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol under California law (referred to as a DUI or DUID for drugs), then you likely know that there are many potential consequences. From jail time to community service to fines to the loss of your license and mandatory DUI school, a DUI conviction has the potential to have a major impact on your life.
But beyond these penalties, being convicted of a DUI has another far-reaching consequence that can last well beyond the initial arrest, conviction and sentence period. If you are convicted of a DUI under California law, you may end up paying the price for a decade after your conviction. That is because under California law, anyone convicted of a DUI after January 1, 2007 will have that conviction appear on their driving record for a period of 10 years from the date of the violation — without exception. As a skilled DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA will tell you, having this conviction on your record can create major problems in your life.
If you have a DUI on your driving record, you will likely be required to pay higher insurance premiums because you will be required to have proof of insurance, known as SR 22. Your insurance company may charge you significantly higher insurance rates for as long as you require a SR 22 form — and perhaps for as long as the conviction is on your record. In addition, you will not be eligible for a good driver discount if you have had a DUI conviction within the past 10 years under California law. Even if your insurance company is not charging you higher rates, this inability to take advantage of discounts will make your insurance more expensive.
You should also be aware that if you have a DUI on your record, it will be used against you if you are charged with a drug or alcohol-related driving offense. You will be considered a repeat offender and will likely face increased penalties for this subsequent arrest or conviction.
Once you have reached the 10 year period, however, your DUI will automatically be removed from your driving record. You will not be required to take any steps to have the Department of Motor Vehicles take it off your record.
Importantly, while a DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years, you may be eligible have it removed from your criminal record through a process known as expungement, which is a legal process by which a record of conviction is cleared. An experienced DUI lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can help you determine if you are eligible to have your DUI conviction expunged from your criminal record.
The best way to avoid the negative consequences of a DUI conviction is to avoid being convicted. That is why it is so important to hire a top-notch DUI defense attorney to help you. In Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, the Chambers Law Firm can assist anyone convicted of a DUI with the expungement process. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to learn more about how we can assist you. Initial consultations are always free!
