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May 27, 2020
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How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?
Being pulled over and arrested for a DUI can be embarrassing, but a conviction may impact more than your pride. A DUI could hurt your future, raising your insurance costs, suspending your license, and putting you in a financial bind. Worse, that DUI will go on your criminal record.
But how long does a DUI stay on your record? Some Chicago residents may wonder if it’s worth fighting a DUI if it will be off your record in a few years. Unfortunately, a DUI on your record can cause a lot more trouble.
Illinois DUIs Stay for Life
If you’re convicted of a DUI in Chicago, that DUI will stay on your record for life. That means you won’t have a chance to expunge it, or remove that conviction from your record. It won’t go away on its own, either—that DUI record is here to stay if you accept the charges.
Unfortunately, that could severely impact your situation in the future. For example, insurance companies will see your driving record, and even a DUI from a decade ago could lead to high policy rates, or they may refuse to cover you at all.
It could also affect your penalties if you’re accused of drinking and driving at any other point in your life. For example, let’s say you received a DUI conviction fifteen years ago. If you were pulled over tomorrow and arrested for drinking and driving, you’d face higher penalties, no matter how long ago the initial conviction was.
Avoiding Severe Penalties for a DUI
The good news is, you don’t have to accept those penalties for a DUI conviction and move on. You have a chance to defend yourself in a Chicago DUI case. Even better, your Chicago DUI attorney can help you work to avoid those penalties by building a strong defense for your case.
Your defense will depend on the details of your case. For example, you may have been arrested because you were sitting in your car, even though you weren’t driving. You and your DUI lawyer may argue that you weren’t intending to drive, or you were sobering up before you drove.
A Chicago DUI attorney can help you find the best defense for your case. They can review the details, work with you on evidence, and build a case that could lead to your charges getting reduced or dismissed. Experience and resources on your side can make a big difference in the courtroom—they can even save your future.
Find Out How a Chicago DUI Lawyer Can Help You
Facing a DUI on your record for life can be worrying. That could affect your license, your insurance, and your lifestyle for years following the conviction. In cases like these, you may need a Chicago DUI lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys™ to help you fight back to avoid a conviction before it goes on your record. To avoid your DUI penalties, you can get help by calling 312-519-3171 or by filling out the online contact form below.