How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Seattle?

If you’re wondering, “How long does a DUI stay on your record in Seattle?” the answer is more complex than just a few years. In Washington, a DUI conviction stays on your criminal record and driving record for life. However, how that conviction shows up depends on who’s looking, why they’re looking, and what type of background check is used.

It’s important to understand who can see your DUI and how long it will impact you if you are charged under Washington DUI laws. Hire a DUI lawyer in Seattle at Peters Associates, LLC, who can explain your rights and evaluate how you can fight against or mitigate a DUI conviction.

About Peters Associates, LLC: Skilled DUI Defense

Peters Associates stands as a premier criminal defense law firm located in Seattle. Our attorneys are experienced and hold strong legal backgrounds, and we take pride in our impressive track record, especially in DUI defense. Our founding attorney, Thomas S. Peters, has spent 20 years defending clients in serious and complex DUI and criminal cases.

DUI on Your Driving Record

A DUI conviction remains on your Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) driving record permanently in Seattle and throughout Washington. The state treats a DUI as a lifetime visibility offense. Law enforcement, the courts, and certain state agencies will always see your DUI. Standard background checks for consumers and insurance screenings usually report violations from the previous seven years, depending on the circumstances.

While a DUI will stay on your criminal record forever, in Washington, there are limits on how far back an employer can consider it when making hiring decisions. Washington law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limit the reporting of convictions over seven years old for lower-paying jobs. If a salary threshold is met, more senior positions or safety-sensitive positions may use a 10‑year lookback period.

Convictions older than seven years can still appear in criminal record and public records searches or be considered in legal licensing screenings.

Can I Remove or Seal a DUI?

Under RCW 46.61.502, Washington does not allow for expungement or sealing of a DUI conviction. That is, the conviction will be visible on your driving and criminal record forever. First-time offenders have the greatest chance of expungement by avoiding a conviction via plea reduction, diversion programs, or direct legal defense strategies.

Washington State is ranked as the state with the third-highest number of DUI arrests, with 22,075 arrests in 2022, a rate of 16.9%. This resulted in 256 fatalities.

The Importance of Duration

Knowing how long a DUI remains on your record in Seattle is crucial. The consequences of this will affect many aspects of your life, from immediate effects to impacts that last several years. For instance, most auto insurance providers increase your rates for many years after a DUI.

A DUI detected during a background check could become a barrier for potential employers. Jobs involving driving or security clearances, for example, will often consider past DUIs. The same goes for professional licensing boards or other employers, no matter what kind of job. DUIs from seven or ten years ago may be held against you. Your ability to travel to some countries, like Canada, can even be permanently affected. If they have strict DUI entry laws, you may not be allowed to go.

What You Can Do About Your DUI Case

A DUI charge in Seattle requires immediate legal action to protect your future. The sooner you act, the more options you have to defeat the charge, negotiate a lesser offense, or even avoid a conviction. First, ask for copies of your driving and criminal records to see what is in your file.

Find a DUI attorney in Seattle who understands local courts and can identify mistakes in your case, including incorrect breath test readings and unlawful stops. Alternatives to sentencing or plea bargaining may be available to keep the DUI from impacting your life indefinitely.

If you’re facing a DUI charge in Seattle, your case will likely be heard at the King County District Court – Seattle Division.

Why Choose Us?

At Peters Associates, LLC, we have successfully managed thousands of DUI cases in King County and are recognized for our aggressive, well-informed, and strategic advocacy. Through our legal experience and thorough understanding of Washington’s DUI legislation, we defend our clients’ rights while reducing their future disadvantages.

FAQs About DUI Stay on Your Record in Seattle, WA

Contact Peters Associates, LLC, Today

If you have been charged with a DUI, legal representation is available to you. Peters Associates, LLC, can help. Contact us today to speak with a representative.