A DUI (driving under the influence) conviction will appear on most background checks in California. DUIs can also appear on background checks from insurance companies, potential employers, potential landlords, educational institutions, and the court system.
You can learn more about the effects of a criminal conviction for drunk driving with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer. A criminal defense attorney may also help you handle a DUI charge before a conviction to keep it from posing an issue with any potential background checks.
DUI Background Checks by Insurance Companies
If you have car insurance, your insurer will periodically check to see if you’ve had any traffic tickets or other driving-related crimes. To do this, they will pull your driver’s record. Your driver record is a public document (anyone can perform a driver’s record request).
If convicted, a DUI remains on your driving record for 10 years from the date of the incident. It can affect your insurance rates the entire time. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions will remain on your driving record for this 10-year period.
An experienced attorney can explain how a DUI affects insurance and help you learn more about insurance background checks and DUIs.
DUI Background Checks by Employers
Employers have a right to ask you about any criminal history you may have, and they can factor the answer into their hiring decisions. Many companies will use a criminal background check, so lying about your DUI is never advisable.
Employers look at more than just your driving record. They run a full criminal background check. This check will show your DUI conviction no matter how long it’s been.
Do employers care about a DUI? Some do more than others, especially if a potential job involves driving.
Can You Get a Job with a DUI on Your Record?
You may have a chance to get a job even with a DUI. While employers can perform criminal history background checks, they must first make a conditional offer of employment in California. After finding a criminal offense, they can rescind their offer.
Companies must individually assess the record of each potential applicant. In our competitive job market, having a DUI conviction on your record can make the hiring process more difficult, but not impossible.
Prospective employers can also run background checks on existing employees, so a lie on a resume can come back and haunt you years later. Therefore, it’s essential to take background checks and DUIs seriously.
DUI Background Check by Landlords
A landlord may also run a background check to look for criminal charges before accepting a new tenant. Landlords are allowed to run checks on applicants.
However, landlords cannot use these checks as part of an effort to discriminate against a protected group. A skilled attorney can provide you with more information about California’s regulations on fair housing and criminal history.
The California Courts and Your Criminal Record
Last, the courts themselves may look at your criminal record. In California, a DUI is a “priorable” offense, meaning that the penalties are worse if you have prior DUIs on your record. Thus, all DUI proceedings include a look back at your previous record to see if this is your first offense.
When the courts look at your record, they draw directly from court documents. They can see a DUI conviction no matter how long ago it was, even after an expungement. However, a DUI conviction from more than 10 years ago will not count as a prior offense.
Background checks and DUIs can have severe impacts on many aspects of your life, so it’s essential to get professional help handling a DUI accusation before a conviction.
How Do You Deal with a DUI on Your Record?
A lawyer may help you deal with a DUI charge through the process of expungement. Expungement removes certain misdemeanor and felony charges from your criminal record if you meet eligibility requirements.
Generally, you can only apply for an expungement after completing your probation following a DUI conviction. You may need to:
- Pay fines
- Complete a course at DUI school
- Attend NA or AA counseling
- Perform alcohol and drug tests
- Complete a MADD program
- Participate in community service
A lawyer can determine if you qualify to have your record expunged and explain how to get your DUI expunged in California.
Does Expungement Fix Your Driving Record?
Expungement only removes a DUI charge from your criminal record and does not fully erase these charges. Instead, previous convictions remain priorable. Therefore, they count against you if you receive a subsequent DUI charge in California.
Each time you face a DUI conviction, the penalties increase. You can face more jail time, higher fines, and a longer period of license suspension for subsequent offenses.
Fortunately, a lawyer can help you handle these charges before a conviction.
How Do You Keep DUIs Off of Your Record?
You can keep a DUI off of your driving and criminal records by working with a criminal defense attorney after an arrest. A lawyer can focus on getting your charges dismissed by the court or reduced through a plea bargain.
You can also rely on your attorney to represent you in court, reviewing potential defenses that work for your situation. A lawyer can help with a first-time DUI charge or subsequent offenses.
Learn More About DUIs and Background Checks
Do you have more questions about background checks and DUIs? A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide personalized answers and help you navigate the legal system. You can call or complete our online contact form to learn more.
