A DUI conviction can follow you for years - affecting employment, housing, professional licenses, and what appears when someone Googles your name. A DUI expungement attorney can help clear the official record in many states. But the online problem requires a separate solution.
By Anthony WillEst. 2013Published May 27, 2026Read time: 10 min
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Yes, in many states. DUI expungement eligibility typically depends on: For more information, visit the ABA legal aid.
Whether it was a first offense or repeat offense
Whether it was charged as a misdemeanor or felony (DUI felonies are harder to expunge)
How much time has passed since you completed your sentence
Your overall criminal history
Whether your state allows DUI expungement at all (a few states categorically exclude DUI)
State-by-State DUI Expungement Overview
State
DUI Expungement Available?
Key Requirements
California
Yes (Penal Code § 1203.4)
Completed probation, no new charges
Illinois
Limited (sealing more common)
Court supervision dispositions eligible
Texas
Only if dismissed / acquitted
Convictions generally not expungeable
Florida
No (for convictions)
Withhold of adjudication may qualify
Michigan
Yes (Clean Slate Act 2020)
Waiting period, limits on prior convictions
Ohio
Yes (SB 288 2022)
First offense, 3-year wait after completion
Washington
Yes (vacating conviction)
DUI conviction vacatur available
New York
Limited
Youthful offenders and conditional discharges
Most people in your position reach out right here.
You've already done the hard part - finding out what's out there. We handle the rest: every platform removal, Google de-indexing, background check database, and AI search result. No upfront cost. Completely confidential. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.
Your record is probably showing in more places than you realize - and each one can be addressed.
Most people who reach out to us had no idea how many places their record had spread. Justia, Google Scholar, UniCourt, background check sites - each one a new place where employers, landlords, or dates might find you. A free scan shows you exactly where you stand, so you can do something about it.
A DUI expungement attorney is a criminal defense or post-conviction attorney who specializes in petitioning courts to seal or destroy DUI records. The work begins with a detailed eligibility review - examining your conviction date, sentence completion, waiting period compliance, and any subsequent offenses that could disqualify you. This step alone requires substantial knowledge of your state's specific expungement statute.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the attorney prepares the petition, files it with the correct court (the court where the conviction occurred), serves the prosecuting attorney, and represents you at any hearing the judge schedules. After the order is granted, they serve it on every required agency - the court clerk, state police, arresting agency, and in some states the DMV. What they don't provide: any work on the internet visibility of your DUI. Google, Justia, and data broker sites require entirely separate action. For more information on DUI legal resources, the ABA legal aid directory connects you with attorneys and pro bono resources. Learn more about removing DUI court records online on our blog.
Expungement vs. online removal: Expungement handles official government records. Online record removal handles Google, Justia, and background check sites. Most people who've been through a DUI need both.
A DUI expungement attorney handles the complete legal process: For more information, visit the Nolo expungement.
Eligibility review - Analyzes your conviction, sentence, and state law to confirm eligibility
Petition preparation - Drafts the expungement or vacatur petition with all required documentation
Court filing - Files with the appropriate court and pays filing fees
Hearing representation - Appears at any hearings, especially if prosecutors object
Order service - Serves the expungement order on the court clerk, state police, and arresting agency
DMV coordination - In some states, coordinates with the DMV to update driving record
Cost of a DUI Expungement Attorney
DUI expungement attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 for a straightforward first-offense misdemeanor DUI. Factors that increase cost: Learn more about court record removal on our blog.
Felony DUI (more complex petition)
Multiple charges on the same case
Contested hearings (prosecutor objects)
Multiple convictions requiring separate petitions
High-cost legal markets (San Francisco, New York City, Miami)
After DUI Expungement: Your Online Record
This is where many people are surprised. After expungement, your DUI conviction should no longer appear on official background checks. But it very often still appears on Google - because legal databases like Justia, CourtListener, and data broker sites scraped your case before the expungement and aren't covered by the court order. Learn more about background check reports on our blog.
Removing DUI records from Google and legal databases requires direct requests to each platform - a process separate from what expungement attorneys handle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a DUI expungement attorney do?
A DUI expungement attorney reviews your eligibility under your state's statute, prepares and files the expungement petition with the appropriate court, represents you at any required hearings, serves the order on relevant agencies (court clerk, state police, DMV), and follows up to confirm records are updated. What they do not do: remove your record from Google, Justia, or background check websites - that requires separate action.
How much does a DUI expungement attorney cost?
DUI expungement attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the state, the complexity of your case (first offense vs. multiple charges), and whether a hearing is required. Most charge a flat fee. This is separate from court filing fees, which range from $75 to $500 depending on jurisdiction. Legal aid organizations and law school clinics may offer free help for income-qualified applicants.
Can a DUI be expunged?
It depends on your state. Many states allow DUI expungement for first offenses after a waiting period and completion of sentence (including probation, fines, and any treatment programs). Some states categorically exclude DUIs from expungement. Others allow expungement only for certain DUI classes. An expungement attorney can review your specific conviction and state statute to give you a definitive eligibility assessment.
How long does DUI expungement take?
The legal expungement process typically takes 3 to 12 months from filing to court order, depending on court backlogs and whether the prosecutor contests the petition. Simple cases in states with streamlined processes can resolve in 2–4 months. After the order is issued, agencies have 30–90 days to update records. Removing the record from the internet is a separate process.
Will a DUI expungement clear my record completely?
Expungement clears the official criminal record held by government agencies and should prevent the conviction from appearing on standard background checks. However, it does not: (a) remove records from Google or third-party websites that already indexed your case; (b) clear federal criminal records; (c) restore federal rights affected by the conviction (such as certain firearms rights); or (d) automatically update insurance or DMV records in all states.
Do I need a DUI expungement attorney or can I file myself?
Self-filing (pro se) is possible in some states for straightforward DUI expungements. However, DUI cases often involve additional complexity - probation completion verification, multiple charges, or state-specific procedural requirements - that make attorney guidance valuable. The cost of a mistake (a denied petition that can't be refiled) often exceeds the attorney's fee. The American Bar Association's legal aid directory (americanbar.org) can connect you with pro bono resources if cost is a concern.
What happens to online DUI records after expungement?
Online records don't update automatically. The court may update its online portal, but Justia, CourtListener, data brokers, background check sites, and Google continue to show whatever they indexed before expungement. Each platform must be addressed separately. With your expungement order as documentation, you have the strongest basis for demanding removal from these sources. Professional removal services handle all platforms in one coordinated effort.
Which states allow DUI expungement?
States that generally allow DUI expungement include California, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, and many others, typically for first offenses after a waiting period. States that are more restrictive or exclude DUIs include Texas (which has limited expungement), Virginia, and a handful of others. State laws change frequently - the Nolo legal encyclopedia at nolo.com maintains updated state-by-state summaries. Always verify the current statute with an attorney in your state.