If you’re like many people who have been convicted of driving under the influence, you’re wondering if you can seal a DUI. Here’s what you need to know.

Can You Seal a DUI Conviction in Illinois?

You cannot seal a DUI conviction in Illinois. If you’re convicted of driving under the influence, that conviction must stay on your criminal record forever – unless you get a pardon from the governor or your conviction is vacated.

What About Expunging a DUI?

You cannot expunge a DUI from your criminal record. (Expungement is a lot like criminal record sealing, but rather than simply hiding your criminal record from public view, it erases it completely – your record is either destroyed or returned to you.)

Related: What to look for when you expunge your criminal record in Illinois

What Other Offenses Are Ineligible for Criminal Record Sealing in Illinois?

You can usually seal most misdemeanors and even some felonies – but there are some crimes, like DUI, that have to remain on your criminal record. Those crimes include:

• Reckless driving, unless you were under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
• Minor traffic offenses
• Sex offenses (except prostitution, which can be sealed in some cases)
• Domestic battery
• Violating a Civil No Contact Order
• Violating a Stalking No Contact Order
• Violating an Order of Protection
• Any offense that requires you to register as a sex offender
• Dog fighting
• Failing to give humane care to an animal

Each of these crimes, regardless of your sentence, cannot come off your criminal record. 

Related: Can you seal an arson charge in Illinois?

However, if you were accused of any of these crimes (including DUI) but never convicted, or if the charges were dropped, you were found not guilty, or your conviction was vacated or reversed, you can seal or expunge them from your criminal record. Only actual convictions must stay on your record.

Do You Need to Talk to a Criminal Record Sealing Attorney About Sealing a DUI You Were Never Convicted Of?

If you were arrested but never convicted of a DUI, or if your DUI conviction was vacated or reversed, we’ll be happy to talk to you about your options when it comes to sealing and expungement. Call us at 847-920-4540 or fill out the form below to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Chicago expungement and sealing attorney now.

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