Tulsa Expungement Attorneys

Can My DUI Conviction Be Expunged in Oklahoma?

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in Oklahoma you may need need the help of  Tulsa expungement attorneys for help seal your crominal record.  In Oklahoma, being convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can have disastrous consequences for you for years to come. Of course, the severity of the crime plays a huge role in determining whether or not you will need to serve jail time, and how much you may have to pay in fines. Most Oklahoma citizens who are charged with a DUI, however, are able to avoid jail time if they act quickly and seek the advice of a qualified DUI defense attorney, either by seeking to have the DUI charge dismissed, or agreeing to plead guilty in exchange for a deferred sentence. Whether you have gone through the deferred sentence process or not, if you have been previously charged and/or convicted of a DUI, you may have the option of having your criminal and arrest records sealed or “expunged.” Call our Tulsa expungement attorneys for a free consultation.

The Consequences of an Oklahoma DUI Conviction

            Having a DUI conviction on your record could make it very difficult for you to obtain steady employment, rent a home or apartment, or attend college. Whether you are applying for a job or applying to attend college, you will be asked about your criminal history, and it is likely that a criminal background check will identify your prior Oklahoma DUI. While DUIs should not be taken lightly, many people have been convicted of a DUI simply by making a very bad decision that is not representative of their character, as many are otherwise model citizens. As such, having a blemished criminal record is something that can certainly make your life much more difficult than it truly needs to be. In order to prevent your DUI charge or conviction from haunting you for years to come, it is important that you consider whether or not you may be eligible for having your criminal and arrest records expunged.

Steps to Having Your Oklahoma DUI Conviction Expunged

            First of all, not every person will qualify for having a DUI conviction expunged. The first step to take when considering expunction is to speak with a DUI defense attorney who can evaluate your criminal background and determine whether or not you are able to expunge your prior DUI conviction. If you have other criminal charges or convictions on your record, you may not meet the requirements under Oklahoma law to seek expunction of your criminal and arrest records.

            Pursuant to Oklahoma law, Title 22 Section 991(c), you may seek to have your DUI charge sealed if you received a deferred sentence after pleading guilty to the DUI charge. This essentially means that your DUI charge is dismissed after you have completed the probation requirements as part of the deferred sentence. Thus, even though the DUI charge is dismissed, it still shows up on your record that you were previously charged with a DUI. In order to expunge this particular record, you will need the assistance of an Oklahoma DUI defense and expungement attorney to help you with the process of petitioning to have your DUI charge and/or conviction removed from your record. If you did not go through the deferred sentence process, you still may be able to have your DUI conviction expunged, but you may have to meet additional requirements that a qualified attorney can thoroughly explain to you.

            While clearing your DUI charge and/or conviction will seal the court documents regarding the criminal charge and disposition of the case against you, your arrest record will still be visible on a criminal background check through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Even though being arrested in and of itself is not a crime, having an arrest record may raise red flags that indicate you may have committed a crime. In order to seek expungement of your arrest record, you will have to petition pursuant to Title 22 Section 18 under Oklahoma law. This petition is made after you have successfully expunged your DUI charge and/or conviction from your criminal history.

In order to qualify for expunging your arrest records, you cannot have more than one misdemeanor or felony on your record. Most petitions for expunction are granted, however, this is a discretionary process, and if the district court does not feel expunction of your criminal and arrest records is in the best interest of society, your petition may be denied. Thus, researching your options with the assistance of an attorney is a step in the right direction.

Need Tulsa Expungment Attorneys

If youve been convicted of a DUI in Oklahoma and would like a free consultation with Tulsa expungment attorneys at Kania Law Office call us for a free consultation regarding expungement law in Oklahoma 918-743-2233

Tulsa Expungement Attorneys

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