Will A DUI Show Up On A Background Check? | Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys

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Will a DUI Show Up on a Background Check?

Background checks are relatively common for new jobs, going to school, and apartment rentals. You might not experience one often, but you can be sure that at some point in your life, someone will look into your criminal history.

If you have a DUI conviction on your record, this will come up during a standard background check. If you have an arrest for drunk or impaired driving, this too could show up. Depending on why someone is running the check, a DUI arrest, even if it did not result in a conviction, could reflect poorly on you and cause you to lose out on a great opportunity.

If you were ever arrested, pled guilty, or were convicted of a DUI, call an experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC to discuss how you may be able to clear your name.

DUI Convictions Will Show Up

You can be sure that a background check will show a DUI conviction. A thorough background check can include a great deal of information about you such as:

  • Your criminal record, including arrests
  • Court records, including convictions for felonies and misdemeanors
  • Bankruptcy information
  • Warrants for your arrest
  • Sex offender status
  • Your vehicle registration
  • Your driving record
  • Your military record, if applicable
  • Past employment information
  • Previous drug testing results
  • Any state or professional licenses

A DUI conviction will remain on your record in Pennsylvania for 10 years. If you obtained a DUI in another state, how long it remains on your record may depend on that state’s look back period.

Arrests Can Stay On Your Record

It is entirely possible that you were arrested under the suspicion of drunk driving but no charges were filed against you or charges were later dropped. It might not seem fair, but a background check may include your arrest record – not simply your convictions. If you are aware that you were arrested but that it did not lead to a DUI conviction, you may simply have to prepare to answer additional questions regarding the incident. You may also want to look into sealing or expunging this record.

Having Your Criminal Record Expunged

Under Pennsylvania law, you must meet certain requirements to request that your criminal record be expunged. You can ask for your record to be expunged if:

  • You are at least 70 years old and have not been arrested or prosecuted for a crime for at least 10 years following the end of confinement or supervision.
  • You were convicted of a summary offense and have been free from arrest or prosecution for 5 years since the conviction for that offense.
  • There has been no disposition of the original prosecution within 18 months from the date of arrest and no action is currently pending.
  • It was on your juvenile record and enough time has passed since the end of your punishment.

You may also be eligible for expungement automatically if you completed an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program related to your DUI.

Call Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC Today

If you believe you may be eligible for expungement, contact an experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer right away. It can be difficult to move forward with your life with a DUI arrest or conviction in your background. However, it may be possible to have this removed from your record. If you are eligible for expungement, your attorney will help you fill out the correct forms to file in the appropriate court and serve the District Attorney with your request. It can take more than 6 months from the date of your petition for your records to be expunged.

Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC today at (412) 281-2146 to schedule a consultation.