Being charged with DUI can be a frightening prospect. This crime, though generally considered to be a misdemeanor, leaves a permanent dark mark on one’s criminal record that can affect future employment, loans, and admission to educational programs or institutions. Criminal records are considered to be public documents, and despite dismissed charges or acquittal, the record of a DUI chare will remain on one’s record. However, through a process known as expungement, you can regain a clear criminal history.

Expungement is the act of erasing a past criminal conviction or arrest, and it may be used in the case of a DUI. In some cases, a certain amount of time must pass before an individual can begin the process of expungement. Once that time has passed, however, you can utilize the assistance of a qualified DUI attorney to assist you with clearing your record. To speed up this process, those seeking expungement are encouraged to gather related documents, such as their DMV and court records, as early as possible.

Not everyone is eligible for expungement. Those who have committed a felony DUI cannot get their records cleared. Other factors that may affect one’s eligibility include number of previous criminal incidents, the seriousness of this incident, and whether or not there was a conviction associated with this incident.

If you would like to learn more about how DUI can affect your criminal record, contact the Seattle DUI defense lawyers of the Cowan Kirk Gaston Law Firm today at 1-866-822-1230 to speak with one of our qualified attorneys about your concerns.