California DUIs will remain on your record for ten years after conviction.
Drinking and driving is against the law in California and in all fifty states. Because of the high potential for deadly accidents and other tragedies as a result of impaired driving, California imposes harsh penalties for anyone who is arrested for and convicted of drinking and driving. If you are convicted of a DUI under California law, you will be facing a license suspension, probation, mandatory DUI school, community service, fines, and even potential jail time. After all of that, you can also expect to pay higher insurance for a number of years.
One question that many clients ask Orange Country DUI lawyers is how long a DUI conviction will stay on their records. In California, there is a ten year reporting period for DUIs. That means that if you are convicted of a DUI, it will remain on your driving record for ten years without exception. Regardless of whether you maintain a perfect driving record after your DUI or if you drive a commercial vehicle and hold a separate commercial driver’s license, if you are convicted of a DUI in the state of California, it will stay on your driving record for a full ten years after your conviction. Importantly, this means that for ten years, insurance agents will see your DUI and will be able to charge you higher rates as a result. And if you receive a second DUI during this 10 year time period, it will count as a second offense and you will be subject to additional penalties.
However, there is some good news: for drivers who have completed their California DUI probation, they can request to have their conviction expunged from their records. If expungement is granted, the DUI will still appear on your criminal record. However, it will show that the case has been dismissed instead of appearing as a conviction. The DUI will still be on your driving record, but it will appear as “dismissed” on your criminal record. This can be especially important for anyone who has concerns about the impact of a DUI on their job prospects. Speak to an experienced Orange Country DUI lawyer to discuss the possibility of having your DUI conviction expunged from your record.
Of course, the best way to avoid the potential complications of having a DUI conviction on your record is to avoid being convicted in the first place. Hiring a top quality Orange Country DUI lawyer can help you do just that. An experienced attorney will know how to defend against trumped up or unfair DUI charges, or to have charges reduced or get them dismissed when possible. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to learn more about how we can help if you have been charged with a DUI.
