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Clayton Lawyer Assisting Clients On DUI/DWI Expungement

Driving under the influence (DUI) or while intoxicated (DWI) comes with serious consequences in Missouri. The municipal courts in St. Charles County that are heavy DWI arrest areas are: City of St. Peters, City of O’Fallon and the City of St. Charles. Although the law allows expungement or sealing of criminal records, not all DWI cases are eligible.

Despite the odds, I remain dedicated to helping you get through this. My name is Carl J. Civella of The Civella Law Firm, and I am a DUI/DWI defense attorney with more than a quarter century in the legal field. I work with clients in St. Charles County and St. Louis County and the surrounding area. When you call me, expect my full attention to resolving your concerns.

What Missouri Law Says About DWI Expungement

In Missouri, the law considers DUI or DWI offenses as serious, which is why expunging them is not possible. However, you may be eligible for this pathway if your offense is a first-time DWI misdemeanor. Other than this, you also have to meet these requirements:

  • You do not have a commercial driver’s license.
  • You waited at least 10 full years from the date of a guilty plea or conviction before filing.
  • You have a clean record with no subsequent alcohol-related arrests or pending actions during the waiting period.
  • You completed all your sentences, including fines, probation, court-ordered restitution and jail terms.

It is important to understand that Missouri law only gives you one chance to clear an alcohol- or drug-related driving offense in your lifetime. This means you can no longer expunge a second DWI conviction from your record. Additionally, if your first-time DWI offense is a felony, you are ineligible for DWI or DUI expungement.

Factors To Consider When Expunging DWI Arrests

Under Missouri law, the courts may expunge an arrest record that did not lead to a conviction. This applies when the arrest was based on false information and lacked probable cause. Alternatively, certain nonconviction arrest records may also be eligible for expungement under Missouri’s general expungement statute, provided you meet state conditions and waiting periods.

Breaking Down The Expungement Process In Clayton

Expunging a first-time DWI conviction in Clayton, Missouri, often includes these steps:

  • Submitting a formal petition for expungement in the specific court you received your conviction or sentence
  • Naming the Missouri Director of Revenue as a party in the petition
  • Paying court filing costs or petitioning for a fee waiver as required by the circuit court
  • Attending court hearings to assess your eligibility and check if you have no subsequent offenses

Should the courts approve your expungement, law enforcement will proceed with the DWI record removal. This restores your status as if the arrest and conviction never occurred.

Sealing a DWI criminal record gives you the chance to apply for job opportunities or secure housing without worrying about DWI background checks. While private employers and landlords cannot see the record, professional licensing boards, federal background checks and criminal justice agencies may still access your expunged record under limited exceptions.

Learn More About DWI Expungement With A Skilled Attorney

If you have any questions about expunging a DWI record, you can always ask me. Call 314-492-8840 or complete my online contact form, and I can discuss more about your legal issues. I represent clients throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties, including before municipal courts in the City of St. Peters, the City of O’Fallon, the City of St. Charles and the surrounding areas.