When you get behind the wheel buzzed or drunk, it may never occur to you that if you get arrested for DUI in Virginia you may have a criminal record that can stay with you for life. What about that job you wanted? What if you won't be able to adopt a baby now? Having a DUI on your record can affect many things in your life and can stay on your record for a long time.
You may have been told that you can get your DUI expunged or sealed and you don't know what that means or how to go about doing this. Expungement is when a DUI conviction is erased from your criminal record. The main purpose of having a DUI expunged is to pass background checks for new employment or security clearances.
Can I get my DUI Expunged in Manassas, Virginia?
Each state has a different process and different rules regarding DUI convictions. Some states allow for a drunk driving conviction to be expunged after a certain amount of time and others do not allow a record to be expunged. In fact, it can stay on your record permanently.
Can I get my DUI Records Sealed in Virginia?
Getting your record sealed will allow the file to remain available for law enforcement agencies to view, but it will be sealed off to other people, such as employers looking to do background checks. The record will not be erased.
In Virginia, you can get your arrest record or DUI conviction expunged or sealed if your case was dropped or dismissed. An expungement is only available to a defendant who is innocent or wrongly accused, as Virginia does not allow for expungement of DUI convictions.
How Long Will a DUI Stay on My Record in Virginia?
A DUI conviction in Manassas will stay on your DMV record for eleven years. It carries with it a six point violation. However, if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Virginia, the conviction can stay on your criminal record forever.
Because the DUI laws in Virginia are severe and can be confusing, it is in your best interest to hire a DUI defense lawyer if you have been arrested for a DUI in Manassas. An experienced DUI attorney can save you time and money and may get you out of your jail time.
Expungment Only Available If You Are Wrongly Accused
Contact attorney T. Kevin Wilson at the Wilson Law Firm and speak with an experienced Virginia DUI defense lawyer toll free at (800) DUI - LWYR or (703) 361-6100 today. We'll fight to get your charges lessened. Also, visit our website and request your FREE copy of DUI/DWI Arrest Survival Guide - The Guilt Myth, written by attorney T. Kevin Wilson. It is important that you read this book so that you do not make any mistakes before hiring a DUI lawyer.