Can a lawyer really help with clearing a DWI or DUI from a criminal record or is it a waste of time and money

LUCKY

Unless the lawyer properly and completely has your cases "expunged", the record will follow you forever. The actual DUI cases get reported to other government agencies and private investigative agencies. An attorney would have to find every location of your DUI information, and name them in the expungement case. That would include the arresting agency (police), the State criminal records agency, the FBI, etc., and then there are the private agencies like Choicepoint, your insurance company, etc.

You MUST ask your attorney how he will "clear" this up, AND how he can document that ALL of your records have been deleted.

SillyMia

First: Go to the courthouse that convicted you and ask them for the paperwork you need to expunge your conviction. They can't give you advice, but the forms could give you and idea of what to do.

Second: If the paperwork is overwhelming, THEN go to an attorney. Generally, it's a standard form and a Declaration from you as to how you're reformed and have stayed out of trouble, would like to have opportunities in the professional workforce, yadda yadda yadda. It's completely doable without an attorney, but the attorney may know the "key language" they are looking for but it's fairly straight-forward.

Third: Recognize that even though it's "expunged" from your record, that police departments, fbi, etc., will still have access. So if you're looking for a gov't job in the future, you should still disclose it and say it was a stupid mistake. Time between the incident and today as well as the expungment will lessen the blow to the conviction.

Is it a waste of time and money? You'll spend more time doing it yourself if you want to save the money. I would estimate about 3 hours (going to court, figuring out the paperwork, writing a declaration if necessary, and filing the paperwork). So, if you're time is worth more than what you'd pay an atty, it's not a waste of money. However, you could do it yourself without a problem and MAKE SURE to have somebody spell check it for you!!!

Good luck!!!!!

Kaska

A good lawyer can keep anything off your record.

Techie

I've seen charges get dropped to careless driving with community service time and attending a workshop on alcohol & drug use.

Ernie D

i worked with a guy who had 7 DUIs and on the 5th one he had been suspended for three yrs on the six one (which happen 2 weeks after getting his licence back ) he was only charged with a first offence because someone didn't put the charge file to the judge this guy did have personal contacks with the law and lawyers so the short of it is ya a good lawyer can get you reduced if not off. but it costs ALOT of money.

ladyjade7332

you can only get it wiped off your record if you can prove you weren't under the influence.. and it's your word against the cop that pulled you over. good luck.

*sunshine

A lawyer might be able to minimize the consequences of the crime but can't clear peoples records. It is on your driving record for 3 years and your criminal record for 7 years and a lawyer can't change that.

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