Many times when a person is arrested for DUI, especially in the case of a first offense, one of the first questions they ask can be "If I'm convicted, can I get it expunged?" Unlike other some other state jurisdictions, for those facing conviction in the state of Georgia, the answer is no. Once a person is found guilty of driving under the influence (even when it is a first time offense), the conviction will remain on a criminal record permanently.
It may seem incredibly unfair that while the legal limit is uniform across all 50 states, the penalties for driving over it can vary so much from state to state. It is true that there are many states where a person charged with driving while intoxicated may plead guilty and fulfill certain requirements put forth by the District Attorney (such as attending an alcohol treatment course and/or safe driving school) and then have the conviction removed from their record.
Unfortunately, this is not an option for those charged with DUI in Georgia. This is a very compelling reason why if you or your loved one have been charged with driving under the influence, you should put forth the best possible legal defense. No matter what the circumstances of your case, there are many areas that an experienced DUI defense attorney can examine for weakness, from the actions of the police on the scene to the way the breathalyzer machine used to test you has been maintained and stored.
A DUI arrest does not mean you will automatically be stuck with a conviction on your record for the rest of your life. If you have been charged with DUI, please give me a call. We will discuss what happened to you and what your legal options may be.