Being charged with driving under influence (DUI) can impact your life in a variety of ways. Depending on the nature of your case (first or repeat offense), the penalties for a DUI conviction in Maryland can be far-reaching.
If you are convicted of drunk driving in Maryland, you might be curious to know how long the conviction will remain on your record, and what (if there is anything) you can do about it. However, it is important to understand that while most crimes can be expunged from your Maryland record, a drunk driving conviction does not fall into this category.
First, what is expungement?
Legally, expungement refers to the removal or destruction of police or court record. An expungement ensures that your conviction will not show up on a Maryland Judiciary Case Search. This is helpful in ensuring that your personal information is not accessible to potential employers or anyone who may be interested in looking up your background.
So what should you know about DUI and expungement?
Like all the other states, Maryland takes drunk driving offenses extremely seriously. To understand DUI and expungement, it helps to start by understanding scenarios when your DUI conviction will not be expunged in the first place. If you appear before the judge and enter probation before judgment (PBJ) or are found guilty and convicted thereafter, then you cannot expunge the drunk driving conviction from the court’s records.
When a DUI conviction can be expunged from your record
There are instances when your drunk driving conviction can be expunged. This can happen under the following circumstances:
- If your case was dismissed
- If you were not found guilty
- If your case ended in an acquittal
- If there was a conditional stay (stet)
- If you were not charged with DUI
If you are charged with drunk driving, you need to figure out how to defend yourself. Knowing your legal options can help you effectively protect your rights and defend yourself when charged with driving under influence.