Washington State takes DUI convictions very seriously. Law enforcement has been increasing action and efforts against drivers who choose to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Due to the number of people who are injured or killed each year due to drunk driving, the punishments for drivers caught driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are often severe and lasting.
DUI convictions have the ability to affect a person’s life long after the punishment and court dates have been settled. Getting a DUI reflects on a person’s life choices and can limit them greatly in the future when it comes to career opportunities and more.
What Does it Mean to Have a DUI Expunged?
Getting a DUI legally removed from your criminal record is referred to as DUI expungement. Drivers who have recently received a DUI conviction will likely look into DUI expungement options.
Because DUI convictions have such negative connotations and they can affect an individual’s life far into the future, it’s only natural to want to have a DUI expunged if possible.
But is it possible to have a DUI expunged in Washington?
Can a DUI be Expunged in Washington State?
According to section 9.96.060 of the Revised Code of Washington, DUIs may not be expunged from a driver’s record.
So, unfortunately, DUI convictions will remain on a driver’s criminal record without the option of having them removed.
While this is frustrating to many Washington State drivers, there are reasons why DUIs are so difficult to get expunged from a criminal record.
Why Can’t I Get a DUI Taken Off My Record in Washington?
There are several reasons why DUI expungement is not possible in Washington State.
The first one being that the guilty driver may repeat the offense and having a DUI remain on their record is an effective way of diminishing the possibility of them repeating the same mistake and incurring a second driving charge.
Repeat driving offenses lead to severe consequences for drivers so it’s paramount to treat DUI charges with care and not incur another charge. Because of the possibility of a repeat offense, a DUI will stay on a person’s record for seven years in Washington state.
Another reason that drivers are unable to have DUI charges expunged from their records is that most judges want drivers to feel the full sting of guilt for their negligent driving practices.
Judges are especially hesitant about removing DUIs from a driver’s criminal record because they want drivers to take the conviction seriously and refrain from future offenses.
For this reason, anyone hoping to have DUI related charges expunged from their record must have legal help — a DUI attorney.
Fighting DUI charges on one’s own rarely yields satisfying results.
Driving Charges That Can Be Expunged From Your Record in Washington
While a DUI may not be able to be taken off of your record, reductions from certain driving charges can be made.
With the help of a skilled DUI attorney, drivers might be able to see reductions and expungement of driving charges like:
- Reckless driving
- Negligent driving (in the first degree)
- Driving on a suspended license
- Reckless endangerment
With the appropriate legal help, driving charges like these may be removed or reduced from a driver’s record.
Being charged with any of the above-mentioned driving offenses requires immediate action. Scheduling a consultation with a qualified DUI attorney will present drivers with their options and the best course of action following driving charges in Washington State.
Get in Touch With a Washington State DUI Attorney Today
Matthew Leyba, of Leyba Defense, is a Seattle based DUI attorney who helps drivers reduce or expunge driving-related charges.
DUI and reckless driving charges are not something that any driver should face alone. The serious nature and potential for future consequences and limited opportunities make it paramount that drivers seek legal counsel.
Whether it is you, a friend, or a family member who is facing DUI or other driving charges, you deserve to have the best legal help by your side during the court process.
To get legal help today and start building your defense, get in touch with expert DUI attorney Matthew Leyba. Legal help is only a phone call away, contact Leyba Defense to schedule your first consultation today.
DUI Attorney Matthew Leyba has been helping Seattle drivers faced with driving charges for more than a decade and offers a free consultation for first-time clients. He knows the extent that DUI charges affect an individual’s life and wants to help drivers facing charges to recover and rebuild their lives.