🕒 How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Florida?
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is:
“How long will this DUI stay on my record?”
The answer may surprise you—and it can have major long-term consequences for your future employment, housing, insurance, and licensing opportunities.
❌ A DUI Conviction Stays on Your Record for Life in Florida
Under Florida law, if you plead guilty or are found guilty of DUI, the conviction stays on your criminal record permanently. There is no legal mechanism to remove or seal it.
📌 DUI Convictions Cannot Be:
- Sealed
- Expunged
- Hidden from background checks
⚠️ A permanent record affects:
- 🧑💼 Employment (90%+ of employers run background checks)
- 🚗 Insurance (premiums can spike by 80%)
- 📋 Professional licensing (law, nursing, teaching, etc.)
- 🏠 Housing and financing applications
Recently Arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale or Anywhere in South Florida?
🔐 Can a DUI Be Sealed or Expunged in Florida?
Only under very limited circumstances. The key is to avoid a conviction before it’s entered.
✅ Sealing Eligibility:
- If your DUI charge is reduced (e.g., to reckless driving)
- If you receive a withhold of adjudication
- You may qualify to seal your record—making it invisible to most employers and the public
✅ Expungement Eligibility:
- If your case is dismissed, dropped, or
- You’re acquitted at trial (found not guilty)
- Florida law allows expungement in these situations
📊 Florida DUI Stats: Roughly 30% of DUI cases are either dismissed or reduced statewide.
🧠 Why You Need a DUI Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida
You may not get a second chance to clear your record. A conviction is forever—but the right legal strategy can change the outcome.
At Michael White, P.A., we help clients:
- Negotiate for reduced charges
- Avoid DUI convictions through dismissal or pretrial strategies
- Understand sealing/expungement options and eligibility
- Protect their reputation and future
💬 Frequently Asked Questions: DUI Records in Florida
Q1: How long does a DUI stay on your record in Florida?
A: A DUI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently and on your driving record for 75 years. Florida law does not allow DUI convictions to be removed.
Q2: Can I seal or expunge a DUI conviction in Florida?
A: No. Florida prohibits the sealing or expungement of DUI convictions. However, you may qualify for sealing or expungement if your case was dismissed or reduced and you were not adjudicated guilty.
Q3: What’s the difference between sealing and expungement?
A:Sealing hides your record from most employers and public access. Expungement completely removes the record, except for one confidential copy held by the state.
Q4: Can a DUI be reduced to a charge that is sealable?
A: Yes. A DUI can sometimes be reduced to reckless driving. If you receive a withhold of adjudication, you may be eligible to seal the reduced charge.
Q5: Will a DUI conviction affect my job search in South Florida?
A: Yes. Most employers conduct background checks, and a DUI can hurt your chances of getting hired—especially in professions that require licensing or trust.
