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Last Modified on Aug 11, 2025
If you have a DUI on your record, you may be wondering: How long does a DUI stay on your record in Alabama? In Alabama, a DUI is permanent on your criminal record, and any other DUIs can result in increased punishment as a result of the state’s look-back laws.
Hire a DUI Lawyer
When you have a DUI case in Alabama, you have to move fast and defend your rights. The punishment may be harsh, and the repercussions can be long-term. When you hire a skilled DUI lawyer from The Law Office of Brad Phillips, LLC, you will have an advocate who is familiar with Alabama DUI laws, can dispute the evidence against you, and can help you through the process of license reinstatement and court requirements.
Attorney Brad Phillips is the President of the Lauderdale Bar Association and a graduate of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum. He has the knowledge and skillset to represent you and advise you on your case. The proper legal advice can have a great impact on the way your case is resolved.
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Alabama?
Unlike smaller traffic crimes, which may end up going away, a DUI has permanent effects. In 2024, the state of Alabama reported 417 DUI arrests in FY 2023.
The Alabama 10-year look-back period allows multiple DUI convictions within a 10-year period to increase the penalties for each subsequent offense. This is essential in the timing of previous offenses.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) further explains that those whose driving license is suspended due to alcohol or drug-related incidents also have to pay a reinstatement fee of at least $275, highlighting the severe and enduring consequences of a DUI. Under Alabama drug laws, penalties for offenses can include steep fines, mandatory treatment programs, and even jail time, depending on the type and severity of the charge.
To ensure that your record is as accurate as possible, all the court proceedings should be carried out in a proper manner. Mistakes in filing, missing the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) hearing deadline (within 10 days), or not fully honoring court orders can increase the stress of the entire situation.
Although the DUI will stay on your criminal record permanently, it will remain on your driving record for several years. The effects on insurance rates, employment opportunities, and background checks may be much longer-lasting.
Assuming that this is a first-time DUI, you will probably be subjected to a license suspension, fines, and required classes. But with a history of convictions within 10 years, penalties become much more severe, and you may face longer jail time, higher fines, and an ignition interlock device.
With no convictions over that period, the new charge could be considered a first-time DUI by the court, but the conviction would be added to your criminal history and affect your future.
Alabama’s DUI Record Process
Once you are charged with a DUI, it is important to know how the process proceeds from the point of arrest till reinstatement of your license and other rights.
After being convicted of a DUI, an experienced and skilled attorney can help you mitigate the consequences that will likely follow, extending the effects of your DUI even further. With a lawyer on your side, you have the comfort of knowing that you are doing everything in your power to preserve your future.
The following are some of the most significant steps in the Alabama DUI record process:
- Filing the ALS request: Once arrested, your driver’s license may be suspended immediately. You must schedule an Administrative License Suspension hearing within 10 days to fight the suspension. Failure to do this will automatically result in suspension.
- Criminal conviction and punishment: In the event that the court convicts you of DUI, punishment can be in the form of fines, probation, community services, alcohol education courses, and even jail time. Harsher sentencing will be applied to repeat convictions.
- Informing the appropriate agencies: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency records a DUI conviction, and it appears on your motorist record as well as on your criminal record. This record can be made available to insurance companies and employers.
- License reinstatement: After your suspension is over, you have to take the steps to renew your license. This usually entails a reinstatement fee of $275, DUI school, and installation of an ignition interlock device.
- Paying all costs: In addition to fines and fees, drivers usually pay much higher insurance premiums years after being convicted of a DUI.
Although you might get through serving your sentence, fines, and having your license reinstated, the conviction still stays on record and is subject to the 10-year look-back period. Thereafter, it can no longer be used as a sentencing enhancement, but it can continue to influence your reputation and background checks.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take for a DUI to Come Off Your Record in Alabama?
In Alabama, a DUI never comes off your criminal record, but it does come off your driving record after the 10-year look-back period ends. Each additional DUI in this period will prompt more severe punishment. Alabama law does not allow removal of the conviction, but after 10 years, the DUI can no longer be applied as a mandatory sentencing enhancement. However, it can still affect employment and insurance.
Does a DUI Show Up on a Background Check in Alabama?
Yes, a DUI appears on a background check in Alabama. A DUI is a criminal offense and, therefore, is included on your lifelong criminal record. This information can be viewed by employers, landlords, and even licensing boards in the course of routine checks. The conviction stays on your record and may still impact your opportunities long after the event.
What Is the Look-Back Period for a DUI in Alabama?
Alabama has a 10-year look-back period regarding a DUI. When you are found guilty of a DUI within 10 years of an earlier conviction, the court will treat it as a repeat offense and impose harsher DUI penalties, including fines, longer term suspension of your license, and even jail time. Prior DUIs cannot be used for mandatory enhancements after the 10-year window, but prosecutors can still look at your complete driving and criminal history.
How Do I Expunge My DUI in Alabama?
You typically cannot expunge a DUI conviction in Alabama. Under state laws, your criminal record cannot be cleared of the DUI conviction, so it will stay there forever. Only some dismissed charges, non-convictions, or specific misdemeanors can be expunged under certain conditions. When you get a DUI, you should hire an experienced DUI lawyer to mitigate its effects.
Protect Your Future After a DUI in Alabama
The consequences of a DUI in Alabama can have a permanent impact on your record, finances, and opportunities. As the state has a strict 10-year look-back period, a single error could haunt you years down the line. A DUI conviction cannot be negated, but you can make efforts to reinstate your driving privileges and reduce the negative impact in the long run.
Call The Law Office of Brad Phillips, LLC today to find out how an experienced DUI lawyer can guide you through the process to ensure your future is secure.
