DUI Records Search

What Is A DUI and What Are DUI Records?

Driving Under the Influence or DUI is a criminal offense that can pertain to drunk driving or drugged driving. It results in traffic violations and is typically classified as a misdemeanor. It can escalate into a felony due to several factors including two or more prior DUI convictions, injuries, deaths, and having child passengers during the DUI offense.

In many states, one can be charged with DUI even if they're just sitting on the driver’s seat of an unmoving car. There are also instances that one can be charged with DUI or DWI while steering a watercraft, motorized scooter, bicycle, and lawnmower.

Punishment and other consequences that may result from a DUI conviction are as follows:

• Fines
• Driver’s License Suspension
• Mandatory DUI classes or Driver Safety Course
• Jail time
• Increased Car Insurance Rate
• Impact on Chances to Land a Job

In the case of driving under the influence of alcohol, one may be charged if they have a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of at least 0.08% (0.05 in Utah). Even if they are charged but not convicted or are arrested on suspicion of DUI but not charged, such brushes with the law can become a matter of public record.

DUI records are considered public information. This means they are open to public access after a court ruling. It can appear on a records search or background check initiated by someone, including a potential employer.

How Can I Search For and Access DUI Records?

Criminal records contain various criminal charges and involvements including DUI convictions. There are several ways to access DUI records. You can visit your local court system website to obtain an electronic copy. Take note that the online availability of these records will depend on whether the state where the infraction happened has digitized records. You can also go in person to the concerned court to request copies of the court records you need. The DMV can also be a source for DUI records. There are also third-party search engines that may provide a person’s DUI records and other criminal records.

A DUI Record may include the following data and information:

• Location of Offense
• Date of Offense
• Court Case Number
• Arrests
• Police Reports
• Court Proceedings
• Accident Incidents and Transcripts Taken During Hearings

It is possible to get multiple results for every search. After acquiring the record you need, make sure to verify by cross-checking other details like age and address.

Does A DUI Stay On Your Record Forever?

The length of time that a DUI stays on your driving record will depend on the state laws governing such cases. That is to say that it varies per state; it will generally impact your record between five to ten years. Depending on state laws, DUI records could also appear during background checks for the next seven to ten years.

There are also the so-called look-back provisions. For instance, if a state has a ten-year look-back provision, then a DUI that took place more than a decade ago will not be factored in when an individual commits a new offense. If, however, a state has a lifetime look-back provision, every prior offense will be factored into the penalties when an individual commits a new offense.

It is possible to seal or expunge a DUI, but that would depend on the state. In some states, there is no option to have DUI records sealed or expunged. It is said though, that DUIs are not completely removed from your records. Nevertheless, here’s how the aforementioned options work.

• Expungement means your record will be erased so that it won’t appear in any background check initiated by potential employers, landlords, lenders, or the public in general.
• A sealed record means that it is not erased from your record but can only be accessed under certain circumstances.

What’s The Difference Between DUI and DWI?

DUI and DWI (Driving while intoxicated) can both cause damage to your record. In some states, a DUI and DWI may be the same thing; while it can refer to different offenses in other states.

The main difference between the two are:

• A DUI pertains to driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. For alcohol, BAC will have to exceed 0.08% in most states. In the case of drugs, it could be over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal.
• A DWI pertains to driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired, depending on the state you’re in. This could be due to drunkenness, drugged state, sleepiness, or other factors.

Some states utilize other terms that could mean the same as DUI or DWI. Such terms include OUI (Operating under the influence), OWI (Operating while intoxicated), and DWAI (Driving while ability impaired).