One of the most commonly asked questions about DUIs is whether they can be removed from a criminal record. You may not have a DUI conviction expunged from your criminal record in the state of Illinois. If you are able to win your case or have it dismissed by a judge, then you are allowed to have the arrest expunged from your record. If you are found guilty of a DUI that conviction will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life.
If you are facing criminal charges for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol it is critically important that you find an experienced DUI attorney to work your case. Their knowledge of the law and how it applies to your particular case can be the difference between a conviction or a clean record.
If you have been found not guilty or your case has been dropped, our attorneys will still be available to help answer any questions about the expungement process to have the arrest permanently dropped from your record. Whatever particular DUI-related issue you are handling, our dedicated legal team at Chicago DUI Defense has the skill and experience needed to get the best out of your case. Contact an Illinois DUI lawyer today to schedule a no-obligation and confidential consultation to see what we can do for you.
Illinois DUI Expungement Process
Your criminal record will have a mark on it following an arrest. Whether or not this arrest leads to a conviction, it will always be on your record. The good news is that in the right circumstances, you can file to have these arrest records expunged and they will be effectively removed from public record. If you have had your DUI case dropped or you have not been found guilty, you should take steps to get the arrest expunged.
Without taking action, the arrest will remain on your record and will show up on every criminal background check you take. This makes it incredibly important for you to begin the process of clearing your criminal history as quickly as possible.
If you are able to avoid a conviction, an expungement lawyer will help you follow through on the steps necessary to remove the arrest from your record. However, if you are convicted of a DUI there is nothing that can be done about it. A DUI conviction cannot be expunged from your criminal record in the state of Illinois, for any reason. This makes avoiding a conviction even more important in protecting your best interests.
What is Expungement?
Expungement is the process by which certain information is permanently removed from your criminal record. This includes the destruction of criminal records as well as the removal of certain identifying personal information from the public record.
What is Sealing?
A slight step down from expungement, sealing closes your criminal record from public view but retains information on your criminal history that may be reviewed by law enforcement. Similarly to expungement, if you have been convicted or assigned a period of supervision you cannot have that result sealed.
What Should You Do if You Want to Seal a DUI Arrest?
The state of Illinois allows you to seal or expunge your record if you were arrested for a DUI but were never convicted. On the other hand, if you were convicted of a DUI, there will be nothing you can do to remove it from your record.
If you were arrested but never faced charges, faced charges that were ultimately dropped, or were found not guilty in a court of law you should consult an attorney to determine what steps you will need to take to either seal or expunge your criminal record. In any of these situations, it is very likely that you will be eligible to clear your record. Speaking with an experienced lawyer will help you determine how best to go about wiping your slate.
They will help you identify any offenses that you may be able to seal or remove from your record, and begin the process of legally altering your criminal history. It can also prove useful to have your lawyer begin the process of filing paperwork to ensure your case moves ahead with no delays due to mistakes.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Expungement or Sealing?
Do not underestimate the amount of damage a DUI on your criminal record can cause, particularly in your professional life. Even when a DUI charge is dropped or no charges are filed, the record of the arrest will remain and can cause you a headache down the line. This makes it incredibly important for you to understand how and when you can go about sealing a DUI or wiping it from your record entirely.
Drunk driving convictions bring far-reaching consequences, and charges need to be taken seriously. The best thing you can do for your case is to find an experienced DUI defense lawyer to work with as quickly as possible. This will allow your chosen attorney to understand the details of your case and build an aggressive defense strategy based on these factors before your trial begins. The more time they have to look over your case before negotiating with the prosecutor or going to trial, the greater the opportunity for them to develop a legal strategy to help you keep a clean record or at least avoid a DUI conviction.
If your case has concluded and you have been convicted of a DUI, unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to remove it from your criminal record. If you have had your charges dropped or were found not guilty during a trial the arrest will still appear on your record, and there are steps you will need to take in order to have that removed.
Our talented legal team at Chicago DUI Defense has experience dealing with DUIs of all kinds and will know how the law applies to your case. We also understand the expungement process and will be able to help you go through the steps for a criminal record expungement as quickly as possible if you are eligible to do so. Contact a Chicago DUI Defense criminal defense attorney today to schedule your free initial consultation!
