DUI: A Permanent Mark on Your Driving Record Casting a Long Shadow People charged with DUI often worry about how long a conviction would haunt them, asking, “How long does a DUI stay on your record?”
BLOOM CINCO DERBY EMERALD
GEMINI GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL
MOTHER ROSES TEACHER VETERANS
They never like the answer: Forever.
A DUI is a traffic violation in New Jersey rather than a criminal conviction. While some states allow expungement or sealing of court records of a DUI conviction under some circumstances, a conviction in New Jersey stays on your record for life. The police and the courts can see it there, and if you get another one, that prior offense may make the consequences worse. A DUI in New Jersey will not show up on a criminal background check unless the incident involved other criminal charges. This is one reason many employers check an applicant’s driving record, as well as criminal records, as part of a preemployment background check. Insurance companies and any law enforcement agency also can see previous DUIs on your driving record. Your auto insurance premiums may double or even triple for the next 3–5 years. Some insurers may cancel your policy outright. There are some bright spots. If you aren’t convicted of another DUI for 10 years, the penalties are likely to lessen. Your insurance premiums may ease closer to earlier levels. Comparing insurance companies and taking a defensive driving course may improve your odds of lowering your premiums. Other steps to improve your reputation, including paying your premiums on time and maintaining a high credit score, may also be helpful. Also, if you were charged with a crime related to the DUI, that offense is eligible for expungement under some circumstances. Given those constraints, what recourse does a driver with a DUI have? Avoid getting another one! These tough consequences are among the many reasons why moving quickly to engage a skilled, experienced DUI lawyer is essential to securing your future. In New Jersey, records of a DUI arrest are expunged immediately if the charges are dismissed or if the driver is acquitted. With the right legal help, you can increase your chances of avoiding a DUI conviction and moving ahead with your life.
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