How Much Does It Cost to Expunge a DUI?

Cleaning your record can be a game changer for many residents of North Carolina. Doing so opens new doors, including new job opportunities, housing options, and overall peace of mind as you move into the next chapter of your life. Expungement is a legal process that allows you to remove certain offenses from your criminal record. This can allow you a fresh start when it comes to many scenarios, and you may wonder how much does it cost to expunge a DUI.

Defining Expungement in North Carolina

First, let’s get the bad news out of the way: if you were convicted of a DUI charge in North Carolina, you cannot get it expunged. Since 2015, North Carolina law has specifically prevented DUI convictions from being sealed or expunged. While a nonviolent misdemeanor or felony may be sealed or expunged, a DUI charge from a night out on the town in Asheville can haunt any background checks on you for the rest of your life.

However, not all hope is lost. You may be able to get a DUI expunged if the case was dismissed or you were not found to be guilty. This was made even easier under North Carolina’s Second Chance Act, which became effective in December 2020 and allows individuals to seek expungements for any charges that ended in a case dismissal or acquittal. If you have a dropped charge from a DUI stop in Gastonia, the entire situation can vanish from public view.

However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a catch. You will have to file for this action, and the action will not take immediate effect unless the charge happens after 2021 and qualifies for auto-seal under the Second Chance Act. With the filing comes costs, and it is important to understand these costs when seeking to expunge a dismissed or acquitted DUI charge from your record.

Costs of Cleaning Your Record

Expunging your record of a DUI that didn’t stick can involve several costs, and these costs can be necessary when taking that first step toward a fresh chapter of your life. The various expenses involved in expungement may seem daunting at first, but are of great benefit to you and your loved ones in the future.

Filing Fees and Court Costs

The very first expense that you will need to consider when seeking the expungement of a dismissed or acquitted DUI charge is the cost of filing. In most cases in North Carolina, the cost of filing a petition for expungement is $175. However, in certain cases, such as those when trying to expunge a charge that was dismissed or resulted in a verdict of not guilty, as in the case of a DUI expungement, these filing fees are not required, and you can seek to waive the fee.

Keep in mind, however, that if you were convicted of a DUI in the state, there is no chance for an expungement, fee, or fee.

Attorney Fees

Hiring an attorney can benefit your case for expungement in major ways. It can also help you avoid a conviction in the first place, making an expungement possible. Many attorneys will charge a flat rate for their services, which tend to be based on the complications involved in your case and the skill level and experience of your attorney. Depending on these factors, attorney fees can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Some attorneys may offer you a free consultation to go over the details of your DUI charge and possible expungement. This time spent with an attorney can greatly help your case and help you keep from wasting time if expungement is not even possible in your situation.

Additional Costs

Beyond your attorney’s fees and the basic filing and court costs, there can be other expenses that you should be aware of. These can include the need to pay for a certified copy of your criminal record to complete your petition for expungement. Keep in mind that these costs can also vary by the jurisdiction you are in or the county in which your petition is filed.

FAQs

Q: Can a DUI Conviction Affect My Future?

A: Yes, having a successful DUI conviction on your permanent criminal record can affect your future for the rest of your life. Employers will likely conduct a background check on you before hiring and will view a DUI conviction in a negative light, especially if the position you are applying for involves the public in some form and driving.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Expungement in NC?

A: While the initial costs of an expungement in North Carolina can seem daunting, the long-term benefits can outweigh these costs. When you expunge your record, employers will not be able to see a DUI charge on your record, and it will not influence their hiring decisions. Likewise, more housing options will become available to you.

Q: How Long Does a DUI Stay on My Record in North Carolina?

A: In North Carolina, if you are charged and successfully convicted of a DUI charge, it will remain on your criminal record permanently. This can not only impact areas of your personal life, such as employment opportunities and housing options, but it can also drive up your insurance rates and impact your driving privileges.

Q: How Long Can It Take to Seek an Expungement?

A: It can be difficult to offer an exact timeline as to how long it might take to seek an expungement in North Carolina as there

North Carolina DUI Expungement Lawyer

A DUI charge can hang like a shadow over the rest of your life. Whether you experienced a traffic stop along I-85 near Durham or a mistake one night on Tryon Street in Charlotte, with the help of an attorney, the charge can be dismissed or acquitted, and an expungement can be pursued. During these difficult legal times, contact the team at the Law Offices of Huffman & Kendrick to have your questions answered.