How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Indiana?

DUIs are taken seriously in Indiana and have multiple consequences on different aspects of your life, including your driving record. DUI checkpoints play a crucial role in identifying drunk drivers and leading to DUI charges. A DUI conviction doesn’t look good on anyone’s driving record, and more instances can lead to your license being stripped entirely.

This blog will answer the question “how long does a DUI stay on your record in Indiana?”, and you can possibly get it removed.

Indiana DUI Definition and Consequences

What is a DUI Conviction?

A DUI is a crime in Indiana. It’s when you operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs or both. Indiana’s legal BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over. For commercial drivers, the legal limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, an alcohol concentration over 0.02 is illegal.

DUI Consequences

A DUI in Indiana has serious legal consequences and can be charged as a misdemeanor offense, especially for first-time offenders. For a first time offense the penalties are up to one year in jail and a fine of $5,000 for a Class A Misdemeanor and, 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.00 for a Class C Misdemeanor, For felonies, the imprisonment and license suspension can be much longer. Repeat offenders face more severe penalties, including mandatory periods in jail and longer license suspensions.

Personal and Professional Life

A DUI conviction can impact your personal and professional life beyond the legal penalties. Employment opportunities may be limited as many employers do background checks. A DUI can also mean higher insurance rates, damage to your reputation and strained personal relationships.

DUI on Record

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?

A DUI conviction in Indiana stays on your record forever. A DUI conviction becomes a part of your criminal history, affecting your legal and public records. Indiana does allow expungement of DUI convictions from your public record but not from your driving or criminal history record. So, a DUI may not always show up on background checks for potential employers, landlords and other entities. It can appear in a search of your driving history if you are going to be operating a company vehicle and they check your driving history.

Duration Factors

While the conviction stays on your record forever, there are factors that can change the impact. First time offenders may have different consequences than repeat offenders. Aggravating factors such as high BAC, accident, prior convictions can mean more severe penalties and insurance rates. In Indiana, a person convicted of a felony must wait eight years before being eligible to file for expungement to remove the DUI from their public record.

Driving Record

A DUI will also stay on your driving history and driving record for the remainder of your life,. In Indiana, points from a DUI stay on your record for 2 years. But the DUI conviction itself will impact your record for 10 years for Habitual Traffic Violator purposes and be on your record forever for future incarceration purposes.

Insurance

A DUI conviction means higher insurance rates as insurers consider you a high-risk driver. This can last for several years, usually 3 to 5 years depending on the insurance company. In some cases you may be denied coverage altogether.

Driving and Insurance Records

Driving Record

A DUI in Indiana will impact your driving record. Once convicted points from the DUI will stay on your record for 2 years. But the conviction itself will be on your record forever. This notation can mean longer license suspensions and mandatory incarceration

Insurance

A DUI conviction means big increases in insurance rates. Insurers consider drivers with a DUI high risk and will charge you more for coverage. Usually this will last 3 to 5 years but can vary by insurance company. In extreme cases insurance companies may deny coverage altogether and you’ll have to find specialized and more expensive insurance.

Long Term Effects

The long-term effects of a DUI on your driving and insurance records go beyond the immediate legal penalties. Higher insurance rates and the permanent mark on your record will create ongoing financial and personal problems. Employers who do background checks as part of the hiring process may also view a DUI unfavorably and limit job opportunities.

Car Keys, Handcuffs and Glass of Whiskey

Expungement and Sealing of DUI Records

Can a DUI be Expunged in Indiana?

In Indiana, expungement does not mean what people think it means. The conviction will stay on your driving record and criminal record for the remainder of your life. It can be hidden from the general public.

Expungement Eligibility

Eligibility usually requires a certain amount of time has passed since the conviction, all court ordered requirements have been met and you have a clean record since the conviction. An expungement can be done early with the consent of the prosecutor.
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Permanent Record

Since you can’t completely expunge or seal a DUI in Indiana it will have long term implications. The stigma of a DUI conviction emphasizes the importance of hiring a lawyer to explore all possible defenses and minimize the damage.

Defense Strategies

Challenging the Evidence

A key defense strategy in DUI cases is to challenge the evidence presented by the state. This can include questioning the breathalyzer or blood test results, the field sobriety tests, the calibration and maintenance of the testing equipment. An experienced attorney will review the procedures used by law enforcement to make sure all tests were done correctly and legally.

Reduced Charges

Another strategy is to negotiate with the state to reduce the DUI charges. This could be plea bargaining where you plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a lighter sentence. This will minimize the long-term impact of a DUI on your record and penalties.

Alternative Sentencing

Depending on the county, For first time offenders other resolutions are possible. A lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible for these programs and advocate for them in your case.

Challenging the Stop

A common defense is to challenge the legality of the traffic stop that led to the DUI charge. If the stop was not based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause any evidence obtained during the stop may be suppressed. Showing the stop was illegal will weaken the state’s case and could impact other criminal charges on record.

Mitigating Factors

Presenting mitigating factors is another key strategy. These can include a clean driving record, no prior offenses or showing the defendant has taken proactive steps to address alcohol or substance abuse issues. Mitigating factors will influence the judge’s decision and may result in a lighter sentence.

Contact an Experienced Indianapolis DUI Attorney Today!

DUIs are never great to have on your record, even if it’s just one. When you get a DUI, you should talk to an experienced Indianapolis DUI lawyer to review your options and see if you can have it removed.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at 317.671.8965 for a free consultation today!

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