Driving under the influence is a crime that’s not taken lightly in America or any other country, for that matter. Aside from putting your own life in danger, you risk endangering the lives of other motorists or pedestrians. It makes sense that a DUI negatively impacts both your driving and criminal record, which by the way, is only the beginning of your troubles.
A DUI follows you almost everywhere you go and infiltrates other areas of your life. You’re looking at negative background check results that will cause your car insurance rates to increase and compromise your employment opportunities.
Given how a momentary lapse in judgment of this magnitude attracts such grave consequences, you might be wondering just how long a DUI stays on your record? Well, it depends on the state. But on average, the ramifications of a DUI tend to linger for anywhere between 5 and 10 years. In extreme cases, it can stay on your record for life.
DUI Records Depend On The State
How long a DUI stays on your driving record varies with each state. That’s why there’s no clear-cut answer regarding how long it stays on record. Most states use what’s known as the point system to track your driving. The state adds points to your license each time you get a ticket. Obviously, accumulating points in this manner is never a good thing.
If you tally enough points, the state suspends your license. For states that work with the point system, you will, of course, accumulate points for a DUI. And the number of points and the state have an impact on how long the DUI charge stays on record. For instance, in Virginia, a DUI adds six points and stays on your record for five years. However, a DUI gets only two points in California but stays on your record for a good ten years.
Alaska isn’t as forgiving when it comes to DUIs. Should you be found driving under the influence in that state, ten points are added to your driving record, and the DUI sticks to it for life! For states that don’t use the point system, such as Georgia and Florida, harsher penalties are on the cards. Either you pay a hefty fine, or they automatically suspend your license. And in the case of Florida, a DUI stays on record for 75 years.
Classification Of DUI Offenses
While the state determines how long a DUI or a DWI stays on your record, it’s important to understand how it’s classified in general. In some states, a DUI falls under the category of a traffic offense, especially if the blood alcohol level is very low.
However, most states classify a DUI as a criminal offense. If you’re a first-time offender, it’s considered a misdemeanor. A third arrest on the same charge, and the DUI becomes a felony.
If reckless driving is involved or you have multiple previous charges, you automatically fall into the felony category. That comes with a criminal conviction and jail time.
But then again, in Virginia, there’s a look-back period for prior convictions. This means that your old DUI will not contribute to your new penalties after 11 years if you’re a repeat offender.
Consequences Of A DUI On Your Record
Unfortunately, accumulating points on your license, license revocation, or fines associated with a DUI are the least of your worries. As previously mentioned, having a DUI on your driving record negatively impacts other areas of your life. Car insurers perceive you as a high-risk individual and understandably so. As a result, this pushes your insurance premiums up.
Your professional life also takes a hit. If your profession includes driving, then securing related jobs becomes difficult. Even if you don’t drive for a living, your employment chances, in general, are also compromised. How? Since a DUI puts a dent in your criminal record, it’ll pop up each time background checks are conducted on you. As a result, it affects employment, firearm applications, housing applications, university admissions, and financial aid applications. A DUI can even rear its ugly head during a custody battle.
Conclusion
Driving under the influence is a criminal offense in most states and taints your record for a minimum of five years in Virginia. However, the repercussions of a splotched driving record last even longer after the ink on your charge sheet has dried. Working with DUI lawyers can give you the best chance at getting back on the road. At the very least, you must deal with a suspended license. At worst, your hopes of getting a job, a house, or a loan all go out the window.