There are two components to a South Carolina DUI conviction; the first is criminal and the second is administrative. The criminal conviction that goes on your rap sheet will be there for life. There is no mechanism to have it removed from your South Carolina record. Unlike other misdemeanors, you cannot have it expunged. The administrative record reported to the DMV will generally be disclosed upon request for up to ten years.
While the driving record may not impact your insurance rates for that long, potential employers who pull your driving record will still be able to see the DUI record. The only way to avoid having a DUI on your South Carolina record is to avoid being convicted in Court. If your DUI is reduced, dismissed or you are found not guilty, you will not face a permanent criminal record or the ten-year DMV record. For this reason, an aggressive defense is crucial.
To find out how the Lexington DUI defense lawyers at the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC can help with a recent DUI arrest, contact the firm today for a free initial consultation.