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Am I Eligible For a DUI Expungement?

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Benefits of Expungement in California

If you have been charged with a DUI, you may experience the lasting impact these charges can have. While your DUI charges will be removed from your DMV record after 10 years, the charges will remain on your criminal record for life. These long lasting charges can have consequences that continue to affect your daily life. Your DUI criminal charge may show up on background checks, which can make it difficult to obtain employment or housing. You may be eligible to have these charges removed from your record, however. Learn what requirements you must meet to be eligible for expungement.

Requirements for Expungement

The state of California has several strict requirements that you must meet to be considered eligible to have your DUI charges removed from your record. Each of these requirements must be met, and it can take some time to be eligible. If you think you may meet the requirements for expungement, consult an experienced Santa Rosa DUI expungement attorney. They can help you through the process of having your charges removed from your record.

Probation

You must have completed your probation period to be eligible for expungement. For many first-time offenders, this period can be between 3 and 5 years. If your DUI was considered a misdemeanor charge, you may not have been sentenced to probation, but you still must wait one year before you can apply for expungement in California. It may be possible to petition the court to have your probation length shortened or terminated, but many judges are reluctant to shorten probation periods.

Fines & Restitutions

If you have been ordered to pay fines or restitution for your crime, you must complete these payments. The court will verify if these expenses have been paid. If so, you may be able to have your DUI charge expunged from your record.

Other Charges or Sentences

If you wish to have your DUI charge removed from your record, you must also have a clean criminal history since the charge. This means that you cannot be facing trial for another crime or be serving a sentence for another charge. It is likely that your probation period will not end unless you have not been accused of any other crimes, but it is important to remember that a later charge may harm your ability to have your DUI charge expunged.

Finding Help for Your DUI Charges

It is important to ensure that you are eligible to have your charges expunged before you begin the process. If you are ineligible, you may waste time and money trying to do so. A qualified Santa Rosa DUI expungement lawyer can help you verify that you have met all the requirements that are necessary to request an expungement. They can also provide you with valuable insight and experience as you tackle the legal process of petitioning for expungement in California.

At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., we are prepared to help you take control of your life once more. A DUI charge can continue to affect your opportunities for employment, housing, and other aspects of your life. We understand the importance of removing these charges from your record as soon as possible. Our award-winning Santa Rosa DUI expungement attorney is recognized for his dedication to his clients and his proven record of successful defense.

Contact our offices any time to begin your defense. Call (707) 418-5352 today to request a free consultation.

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