How Long Do DUI Stay On Your Record In Texas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The short answer to the question of how long a DWI stays on your record in Texas is:

forever

. That’s right. Unless you can get it expunged, a DWI conviction will become part of your public and legal records. It will remain permanently on your criminal record and there is no “washout period”.

Can you get a DUI removed from your record in Texas?

The law regarding DWI expungements is complicated in Texas.

If you were convicted of a DWI/DUI then no, you cannot get it expunged

. The conviction will remain on your record. However, if you were arrested for a DUI or DWI, there may be some conditions that allow you to get it expunged.

Does DUI stay on your record in Texas?


A DWI stays on your record permanently in Texas unless you are able to get it expunged or sealed

. With a DWI on your record, anyone who runs a criminal background check on you will be able to see it, including employers, landlords, homeowners’ associations, and potential business partners.

How do you get a DUI expunged in Texas?

  1. You Were a Minor When You Were Arrested for DUI. …
  2. DWI Charges Were Never Filed. …
  3. The Court Dismissed Your DWI Case. …
  4. You Were Found Not Guilty of DWI. …
  5. You Appealed Your DWI Conviction and Won. …
  6. HB 3016. …
  7. Request for Order of Non-Disclosure.

How do I get my DUI expunged in Texas?

  1. You Were a Minor When You Were Arrested for DUI. …
  2. DWI Charges Were Never Filed. …
  3. The Court Dismissed Your DWI Case. …
  4. You Were Found Not Guilty of DWI. …
  5. You Appealed Your DWI Conviction and Won. …
  6. HB 3016. …
  7. Request for Order of Non-Disclosure.

What happens if you get a DUI for the first time in Texas?

The maximum penalties for each conviction include: DWI 1st Offense: A first offense DWI is a Class B misdemeanor. A

conviction carries a maximum fine of $2,000

as well as a jail sentence of up to 180 days. A first offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor if your BAC at the time of driving was .

What Cannot be expunged in Texas?

Most offenses that involve

children, sexual assault, and violent acts

are not eligible for record sealing in Texas. Also, offenders with a DWI, Driving While Intoxicated, (PC 49.04-49.08) are not eligible to have their offense sealed from their criminal record.

How much does it cost to get your record expunged in Texas?

How Much Will It Cost to Expunge My Criminal Record in Texas? As a general rule, it costs more to expunge a felony than a misdemeanor. The expungement of a felony will customarily cost

a minimum of $1,000

, but may cost upwards of $2,500 or even more. Misdemeanors can usually be expunged for $1,000 or less.

Can a DWI be sealed in Texas?

If you were charged with a DWI in Texas, the charge will always be on your record, even if you were not convicted – unless you have it sealed. A driving while intoxicated conviction stays on your record forever and. While it can never be expunged,

it can be sealed

, making it invisible for all intents and purposes.

Can you expunge a conviction in Texas?

While

most convictions cannot be removed from a person’s record

, Texas law does allow individuals to remove information about an arrest, charge, or conviction from their permanent records in certain circum- stances. This is called an expunction.

How do I file a writ of habeas corpus in Texas?

Defendants or inmates can petition for a writ of habeas corpus. In this petition,

they ask the judge to review their case

. They claim that their detention violates the law. The judge will set a hearing to make this decision.

How likely is jail time for first DUI?

DUI Offense Minimum Jail Time Maximum Jail Sentence 1st DUI

48 hours


6 months
2nd DUI (within 10 years) 10 days Up to 1 year 3rd DUI (within 10 years) 120 days Up to 1 year 4th (or more) DUI (within 10 years) 180 days Up to 3 years

Is jail time mandatory for 1st DWI in Texas?

If you do end up being convicted for a 1st offense DWI in Texas, unless you are granted probation, you are probably looking at the

mandatory three days in county jail

. The other possibility is community supervision, which usually means you will be sentenced to some form of community service.

Is a DUI a felony in Texas?

In general, Texas DWI Texas would be

charged as a felony when you have committed a third DWI offense or beyond that

. But under some conditions, even your first or second offense could result in a felony charge.

Who qualifies for expungement in Texas?

If you are wondering about qualifying for Texas expunction there are certain requirements you must meet. You must have been arrested, you must not have been convicted or served probation, and the charge that you

want to be expunged must have been a misdemeanor or a felony

.

Does a felony ever go away in Texas?

Specifically, you may be able to get misdemeanor or felony records expunged in Texas if:

The felony charge was dropped or dismissed without action

; You went to trial and were acquitted of the offense; … You were pardoned of the offense.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.