Driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas is a serious offense. Not only does it carry harsh penalties such as the loss of license, heavy fines, and possible jail time, in most cases, if you are convicted of DWI in Texas it will stay on your record forever.
That means that in the future anyone—a friend, an employer, your landlord—can run a criminal background check and find your DWI charge.
Because a DWI conviction on your record can have repercussions that last a lifetime, it’s important you do everything you can to have your case expunged or sealed. One of the first things you should do is contact an experienced DWI attorney for assistance.
How can a DWI be wiped from my record?
In the past, if you were convicted of a DWI in Texas, it would stay on your record until the day you die. Fortunately, new laws have made it possible to have a DWI charge expunged from your record or “sealed.”
Listed below are some of the instances where a DWI can be wiped clean from your record:
- You are not found guilty. If you are charged but not convicted of DWI, or your case is dismissed, then the DWI charge will be expunged from your record.
- An order of nondisclosure from the court. A new law that went into effect in September of 2017, allows people with a single DWI charge to petition the court to have the charge sealed. If your DWI is sealed, it means it will no longer be accessible by the public. Although a waiting period of between 2-5 years is required before you can petition for nondisclosure, if you meet all the conditions laid out by the court, a judge can seal your DWI history. The law is intended to give first-time offenders a second chance.
- You become an adult. If you received a DUI or DWI while you were a minor, the charge may be expunged from your record once you become an adult.
If you’ve been charged with DWI, it is vital that you contact an experienced DWI attorney in Texas who can help you fight to have the case dismissed. Once you have been charged and convicted, it is a difficult and expensive process to have the charges expunged.
Contact an experienced DWI attorney in Kingwood, Texas
The Law Offices of Andrew Williams has years of experience handling DWI and criminal cases in Kingwood. In fact, Andrew Williams has handled over 500 DWI cases and is the only board-certified attorney practicing criminal defense in Kingwood.
Give us a call today at 281-358-9111 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our DWI defense attorneys.
