A DWI charge in Texas can leave someone with a multitude of issues for a considerable amount of time. Often, those struggling with the impacts of a DWI seek expungements to alleviate the negative effects the charge has on employment, transportation, and more. Call a Texas DWI expungement attorney today from the Law Office of David A. Breston to learn more about how to clean up your criminal record.
While some lawyers will try to tell their clients that a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge can, under no circumstances, be expunged from a criminal record, this is hardly the case. This topic is important to the livelihood of many individuals as the charge stays on people’s permanent records and can impact their livelihood indefinitely.
DWI charges normally follow someone around forever. The common myth that these types of charges can simply “fall off” someone’s record is a complete misconception and has led many to run into unexpected problems when dealing with the law, job applications, and more in the state of Texas. The only way for charges to be kicked off a record is if they are expunged or sealed.
Should a DWI charge have proceeded through a normal trial and passed final conviction, it is functionally impossible to have the charge properly expunged. However, there are cases in which DWI charges are dismissed before the start of a trial that ends without a final conviction or probation. This is one of the few cases in which a law firm would be able to file for the expungement of a DWI from someone’s record. This can only be done once the statute of limitations has passed.
Similarly, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges are also eligible for expungement if the charge was dismissed. While a DUI is distinct from a DWI, it is also subject to a statute of limitations and reason for dismissal of the charge. In most cases, the waiting period for the expungement of a DUI is six months.
Expunging charges from someone’s record is a complicated process that may take a long time. While it is technically possible for someone to do so in a court of law, the complexity and difficulty of doing so can jeopardize one’s chances of succeeding. It is vital to find and enlist the help of an experienced and trusted law firm in order to ensure the expungement is carried through. The importance of doing is compounded when considering the different areas of life that may be impacted due to the sustenance of a DWI charge on one’s record.