If you get a DUI, it can be easy to get wrapped up in the short-term consequences such as fines, jail time, court fees, and possible loss of driving privileges. However, it is important to note that the penalties of a DUI go far beyond the short-term. A DUI on your record can hinder your ability to get a job or, if you were employed at the time of the arrest, result in unemployment. It can also affect other areas of your life, such as your housing situation, your custody position, and your relationship with others. For this reason and countless others, you should contact an Oklahoma DUI defense attorney as soon after your arrest as possible.
A DUI Conviction and Your Record
Unlike other driving offenses or crimes, a DUI charge will be noted on not one, not two, but three separate records. First, it will be noted on your driving record. Next, it will be noted on your arrest record. Finally, it will be noted on your court record.
Immediately after your arrest, the arresting officer will confiscate your driver’s license and make note of the offense on your driving record. If you want any hope of wiping this offense off your record, you must appeal the mark by requesting an administrative license hearing within 15 days of your arrest.
Your arrest will also trigger an arrest record. An arrest record in Oklahoma, which is managed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, is hard to clear, as the bureau only grants expungements in select situations. Though you can not control which type of DUI with which the state charges you, your best shot at expungement is being charged with a DUI that meets the requirements for one of these unique situations.
Finally, your arrest will show up on your court record. Fortunately, a court record is easier to clear than an arrest record. If the state dismisses your charges at hearing, you accept a deferred sentence, or you win your trial, the state will clear your court record.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Long a DUI Conviction Stays on Your Record
So, how long do you have to worry about a DUI affecting all important aspects of your life? According to Quote Wizard , 10 years. 10 years is about average and, compared some states, quite lenient. For instance, in New Mexico, a DUI conviction stays on your record for 55 years. In Ohio, it stays on your record for life. However, compared to other states, such as Alabama, Delaware, and Hawaii in which a DUI stays on one’s record for five years, 10 years is harsh.
In addition to the arrest staying on your record for 10 years, the DMV will place additional points on your record. Points raise your car insurance premiums and, depending on how many you accrue within a certain time frame, can result in license suspension and a possible need to participate in traffic school. In Oklahoma, points stay on your record for three years.
Do Not Let a DUI Arrest Hurt Your Future
If you were stopped for driving under the influence in Oklahoma, the best thing you can do for your future is to retain the help of a skilled Oklahoma DUI defense lawyer. Contact BDIW Law to schedule your free consultation in which we will discuss your arrest and defense options today.
