How Long Will DUI Stay On My Record in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

How come it showed no criminal record when I did a background check on myself? I have a DUI here in Mount Prospect, Illinois and I wanna know how long will that DUI stay on record.

Kaia

Mount Prospect, IL

In the state of Illinois, the IL Secretary of State (SOS) says that traffic offenses like disregarding a traffic control light, speeding, etc. stay on a driving record for four to five years starting on the date of conviction. If the infraction is for a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, that will stay on the driving record for a minimum of seven years from the date of license reinstatement. For a DUI conviction, it will depend on the laws of each state if the violation will be considered as a criminal act or not. DUI offenses could a misdemeanor and some DUI offenses may be a felony.

In the state of Illinois, alcohol or drug-related crimes, such as your DUI in Illinois, stay on the driving record for life according to the SOS. If you’re looking into other records to check if you have a criminal record because of your DUI, you could check with the court to see how long these kinds of records would maintain information on your DUI conviction.

Hiring an Illinois DUI Lawyer – What Will It Cost?

Hiring an Illinois DUI lawyer is expensive, and that’s on top of all of the other expenses which come along with getting a DUI. In this area you’ll see

• your bail
• fines and fees, such as tickets and license reinstatement fees
• higher insurance costs for years
• possible job loss
• court costs

So it’s important that you consider a lawyer’s rates when you are looking for an Illinois DUI lawyer cost. A lawyer who charges high rates is not automatically going to be the best, nor is one with low rates automatically going to be the worst.

Lawyers charge for services in several different ways. Some may charge by the hour, and if you have a complicated case then this could add up. Some charge the same fee for everyone, depending on their case, and this may be cheaper for you in some cases. Others also charge a flat fee, but split it up. Part for while they’re preparing your case, which you won’t have to pay more than if you don’t go to court, but if you do, you will.