Facing a DUI charge in Florida can have long-lasting consequences, including how it impacts your criminal record. Many who face these charges wonder, “How long does a DUI stay on your record in Florida?” Whether you’re applying for a job, seeking housing, or trying to obtain professional licenses, a DUI arrest on your record can create challenges for years to come.
At Buda Law, led by experienced criminal defense attorney Andrew Buda, we understand the concerns surrounding DUI charges. In this post, we’ll break down how long a DUI conviction remains on your record in Florida and what legal options may be available to help reduce its impact.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Florida, contact Buda Law today by calling (813) 322-2832 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Tampa DUI attorney Andrew Buda.
Does a DUI Go On Your Record?
Yes, a DUI will appear on both your criminal and driving record in Florida and can have serious consequences. A DUI on your criminal record can affect background checks for employment, housing, and professional licenses in the future. A DUI offense on your driving record can also impact your ability to maintain insurance and potentially lead to a license suspension.
Given the far-reaching effects of a DUI conviction, it’s important to consult with a Tampa DUI attorney like Andrew Buda at Buda Law as soon as possible after your arrest to mitigate the potential consequences.
Repercussions of Having a DUI Conviction on Your Criminal Record
A DUI conviction can affect many aspects of an individual’s life. One of the most immediate impacts of a DUI arrest is on employment. Potential employers often conduct background checks as part of their hiring process, and a criminal conviction for a DUI can raise red flags, making it harder to secure a job. Even if DUI offenders are currently employed, their employers may have policies regarding criminal charges that could jeopardize their careers or future promotions.
In addition to employment challenges, a DUI conviction can cause a sharp increase in car insurance rates. Auto insurance companies view drivers with DUI convictions as high-risk, leading to significantly higher premiums or even denial of coverage altogether.
How Do I Know if I Have a DUI On My Record?
To find out if you have DUI charges on your record in Florida, the first thing you should do is request a copy of your driving record from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). This can be done online, by mail, or in person, and it will show any DUI convictions, as well as other traffic violations, suspensions, and points.
A person’s criminal record will also reflect a DUI conviction and can be checked through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by requesting a criminal background check. This can be done online for a fee, and it will show whether you have a DUI or other criminal charges on your record.
How Long Does it Take for a DUI To Show Up On Your Record?
A DUI charge appears on your record soon after your arrest and conviction. Once you’re arrested for a DUI in Florida, the criminal offense is immediately recorded on your criminal record, even if the DUI case has not yet gone to court.
Should you be convicted, the DUI charge will appear on both your criminal and driving records. This process can happen quickly, as court records are usually updated within days of the DUI conviction, and your driving record will be updated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shortly thereafter.
Are DUIs Permanent?
Many states require DUI convictions to remain on an individual’s record for ten years, but Florida has much stricter penalties regarding DUI charges. Under Florida law, a DUI conviction stays on your criminal record for life.
Does a DUI Stay On Your Record?
Yes, DUI charges do typically stay on your record in Florida. Once convicted, a DUI remains on your criminal record permanently and on your driving record for several decades.
While some criminal offenses can be expunged or sealed, DUI convictions are not eligible for this in most cases, meaning they will stay on your record permanently.
How Long Does a DUI Stay On Your Record?
As mentioned, in Florida, a DUI can stay on your criminal record for a lifetime once convicted. However, when it comes to your driving record, the offense will only remain on record for 75 years. Although a DUI on your driving record is not permanent like it is with your criminal record, 75 years is often most of a person’s life.
The best way to prevent these long-term consequences of a DUI is to avoid conviction altogether by seeking legal counsel from an experienced Tampa DUI attorney like those at Buda Law to potentially reduce or dismiss the DUI charges before they become part of your permanent record.
How Long Does a DUI Affect Your Insurance in Florida?
In Florida, a DUI conviction can affect your car insurance rates for up to ten years. After a DUI conviction, insurance companies often view you as a high-risk driver, which leads to significantly higher insurance premiums. These elevated rates can last for the entire ten-year period, as insurers take the conviction into account when determining your coverage costs.
Additionally, you may be required to file an FR-44 form, which proves you have the minimum insurance coverage required after a DUI conviction. This can further increase your premiums and make it more difficult to find affordable insurance options.
Can You Rent a Car With a DUI On Your Record?
You can still rent a car with a DUI conviction on your record, but it may be more challenging depending on the rental company’s policies. Most car rental agencies will run a background or driving record check, and while some may deny rentals to individuals with recent DUIs, others might allow it as long as your driver’s license is valid and active.
Policies vary by company, so it’s a good idea to check in advance.
Can You Expunge a DUI?
In Florida, DUI expungement is generally not an option for individuals convicted of a DUI. Florida law strictly limits the ability to expunge or seal criminal records related to DUI convictions. Expungement completely removes a criminal charge from your record, while sealing hides it from public view but keeps it accessible to certain government agencies. Unfortunately, in most cases, DUI convictions do not qualify for either process due to the state’s legal restrictions on these serious offenses.
There are, however, a few exceptions. You may be eligible for expungement if the DUI charges were dropped or dismissed. Additionally, if you were offered a plea bargain that allowed you to plead to a lesser charge, such as reckless driving, and you successfully completed all court requirements, the reckless driving charge might be eligible for sealing.
Some counties in Florida may also offer a pre-trial diversion program for first-time DUI offenders as an alternative to DUI conviction, where successful completion could result in the charges being dismissed. It’s important to note that repeat offenders (those previously convicted of a DUI) will not be eligible for record sealing or expungement under these programs.
How To Get a DUI Off Your Record
Once you have been found guilty of a DUI in Florida, it is impossible to get the conviction off your record. Florida law does not allow DUI convictions to be expunged or sealed, meaning they will remain on your criminal and driving records permanently.
The best way to keep a DUI off your record is to avoid conviction in the first place. This can be achieved by working with an experienced DUI attorney who may be able to challenge the charges, negotiate a plea to a lesser offense, or help you enter a diversion program if available. These strategies can prevent a DUI from becoming a permanent part of your record.
How an Experienced DUI Attorney Can Help
An experienced criminal defense attorney can provide invaluable assistance if you’re facing DUI charges by exploring various legal strategies to help you achieve the best possible result. One potential option is negotiating a plea bargain to reduce your charges from a DUI to a lesser criminal offense, such as reckless driving, which may have less severe penalties and long-term consequences.
A skilled DUI attorney can also challenge the actions of the law enforcement officer during your DUI arrest, such as questioning the legality of the traffic stop or the accuracy of sobriety tests, to weaken the prosecution’s case.
Additionally, a DUI attorney can help you determine eligibility for a pre-trial diversion program, which may allow you to avoid a DUI conviction altogether. If you have a suspended license, a lawyer can also assist in securing a hardship license, which would allow you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments.
Don’t Wait – Call Tampa DUI Defense Attorney Andrew Buda at Buda Law Today!
If you’re facing DUI charges in Tampa or the surrounding areas, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting. At Buda Law, Tampa criminal defense attorney Andrew Buda and his legal team have the experience and knowledge to help you pursue the best possible outcome, whether it’s reducing charges, securing a hardship license, or avoiding a conviction altogether. Call (813) 322-2832 or send a message online today to discuss your DUI case with an experienced Tampa DUI attorney at our firm.