{"id":13810,"date":"2024-08-13T16:35:43","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T23:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/?page_id=13810"},"modified":"2024-09-19T13:57:25","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T20:57:25","slug":"arizona-dui-expungement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/arizona-dui-expungement\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Get A DUI Expunged In Arizona? What To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
ARS 28-1381<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0ARS 28-1382<\/a>\u00a0state that driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other drugs is a criminal offense that can lead to a permanent mark on your criminal record. A DUI conviction can show up on background checks, potentially impacting job prospects, raising insurance rates and worsening legal consequences for subsequent offenses.<\/p>\n Still, if you\u2019ve had the unfortunate experience of getting charged with a\u00a0DUI in Arizona<\/a>, it doesn\u2019t have to affect the rest of your life. Although DUI expungements in Arizona are only for juvenile cases, you may be eligible to have your DUI record set aside if you meet certain requirements and properly fulfill your sentence. Requirements can range from paying lingering fines, completing an issue-free probation and attending classes, but each DUI is different. Judges have wide discretion in granting set-aside petitions, allowing them to rely on their own standards and viewpoints.<\/p>\n If you have been charged with a DUI, hiring a qualified criminal law attorney can increase your chances of achieving the best possible result. Your attorney should be able to help you navigate relevant legal requirements, complete paperwork and answer questions like \u201cCan you get a DUI expunged in Arizona?\u201d or \u201cHow long does a DUI stay on your record in Arizona?\u201d<\/p>\n A DUI expungement is\u00a0a legal procedure that enables a person convicted of a DUI to ask the court to seal or erase their criminal record<\/strong>. If successful, the DUI conviction will no longer be visible on background checks, offering a fresh start for the individual in terms of employment, housing and other opportunities.<\/p>\n However,\u00a0only juveniles who commit crimes under the age of 18 can technically have their record expunged<\/strong>. Adult Arizona residents can still set aside a conviction, which has a similar purpose: clearing the DUI from your record.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve proved to be responsible since your initial charges, you can ask a judge to set aside your DUI conviction. If the motion is granted, your DUI will not appear in basic background checks run by potential employers, creditors and similar companies.<\/p>\n Thorough background checks that go deeper into your record may show that the DUI is present but was dismissed. Legally, you can declare on applications that you have never been convicted of a crime, assuming the DUI set aside was your only conviction.<\/p>\n So, although your conviction is only set aside and not technically removed, it significantly improves your record and ability to qualify for jobs, credit lines and other products and services that require a clean background.<\/p>\n DUI convictions in Arizona are logged as permanent entries on your criminal record, meaning\u00a0they remain there forever<\/strong>. Having a DUI on your record can affect several facets of your life, including your ability to find work. Moreover, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) keeps regular DUI convictions on your driving record for five years, which may result in higher car insurance rates for that time.<\/p>\n Successfully setting aside a DUI conviction can mitigate the negative impact. For example, making the DUI disappear from standard-level background checks can enhance your chances of getting a job that values a clean record. However, even if the criminal conviction is set aside, the DUI may still show up on your driving record with the MVD, which can still result in higher car insurance costs.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, having a DUI on your criminal record can negatively impact your life in many ways. Some examples of common disadvantages of being convicted of a DUI are:<\/p>\n If you have been charged with a DUI, you should work with a qualified\u00a0criminal defense attorney<\/a>\u00a0to file a petition to set the conviction aside. If approved, the set-aside DUI will have fewer consequences. In addition to the DUI not showing up on standard employer-requested background checks, you may also be able to travel internationally without restrictions and maintain some of your driving privileges if your conviction is set aside.<\/p>\n In many situations with set-aside DUIs, the legal fines and insurance rate increases that are incurred may remain, putting financial stress on the individual. Additionally, even if the initial DUI is set aside or expunged, it can count as a prior offense and result in more significant legal penalties if you are charged with future DUIs. However, having an experienced lawyer advocating for you in the courtroom can help ensure that your legal penalties are as fair as possible.<\/p>\n The most important part of the process is ensuring you adequately fulfill your DUI sentence. This means meeting all the obligations outlined by the court and could include:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want to prove that you\u2019ve met all the terms of your DUI sentence, so be sure to\u00a0keep records of everything you\u2019ve completed since your conviction<\/strong>. Though each case is different, judges typically look for a clean record from the time of the original DUI conviction as well.<\/p>\n After fulfilling the above obligations, you can request that your DUI conviction be set aside by following a paperwork-heavy process through the Arizona Superior Court. This process may include the following steps:<\/p>\n The petition process can be complex and challenging for individuals to navigate without reliable legal support. Relying on the legal knowledge and guidance of an experienced criminal defense attorney can facilitate the petition process and help you achieve the best possible outcome.<\/p>\n Individuals charged with DUIs may face several obstacles while attempting to get their convictions set aside, especially if a qualified criminal defense attorney is not helping them. Some examples of challenges that might impede petitions for DUIs to be set aside in Arizona are:<\/p>\n Since many people charged with DUIs face the impediments above, it is essential to work with a knowledgeable\u00a0DUI lawyer from Phoenix<\/a>\u00a0or wherever you were charged to avoid unnecessary complications. An attorney’s experience with similar cases can help you expedite the petition process and increase your chance for court approval.<\/p>\n As of January 1, 2023, individuals who have been arrested, convicted or sentenced in the State of Arizona may petition the courts to seal their records.<\/p>\n Following the enactment of\u00a0ARS 13-911<\/a>, you may be eligible to seal your arrest record. Due to this groundbreaking new law, when an individual has their criminal record sealed<\/a>, the records relating to the crime are hidden from public records, and no one may view the contents without a court order.<\/p>\n When a record is sealed, employers, landlords and schools that run a background check will not come up with any record of your criminal conduct.<\/p>\n Thanks to this relatively new statute, we may be able to help you seal your record if you were:<\/p>\n All case records that are sealed pursuant to this section may be:<\/p>\n If you are unsure whether or not you meet the criteria to have your record sealed, contact the criminal defense team at JacksonWhite Law. Our criminal defense team has years of experience defending their clients\u2019 rights, and they offer free case reviews to answer any questions you may have.<\/p>\n Many wonder, \u201cCan you get a DUI expunged in Arizona?\u201d DUI expungements are solely reserved for juvenile cases. Nevertheless, adults in Arizona can still petition for their conviction to be set aside, negating how long a DUI stays on your record in Arizona and causing it to not show up on standard background checks.<\/p>\n When you prepare and file a motion to set aside your conviction, there are plenty of complex details you must have in order to have the best chance of getting your DUI set aside. Instead of taking your chances by filing a petition alone, hiring a DUI attorney can greatly improve your chances of success. At\u00a0JacksonWhite Law<\/a>, that\u2019s what we\u2019ve been doing for years: setting aside convictions with great success. Do not let your DUI negatively affect your employment, hinder your driving privileges or intensify future charges\u2014contact JacksonWhite Law to help you achieve the best possible outcome.<\/p>\nWhat Is DUI Expungement?<\/h2>\n
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Arizona?<\/h2>\n
Negative Impacts of DUIs<\/h2>\n
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How to Get Your DUI Conviction Set Aside<\/h2>\n
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What the Petition Process Looks Like<\/h3>\n
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Potential Challenges and Considerations<\/h2>\n
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2023 Update: Get Your Record Sealed<\/h2>\n
When ARS 13-911 Applies<\/h3>\n
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Get the Best Chance of Clearing Your Record<\/h2>\n