How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Record in Louisiana?
Will a DWI stay on my record forever in LA?
If you’ve ever been pulled over and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI in Louisiana), one of your first questions is probably: How long does a DWI stay on your record in Louisiana?
It’s a fair and critical concern. A DWI can significantly impact your job opportunities, car insurance rates, and even your ability to travel internationally. In Louisiana, DWIs carry serious and lasting consequences that depend on several factors, including whether it’s your first offense, the circumstances of your arrest, and most importantly, whether you take legal action to expunge or seal your record.
At Bloom Legal Network, we understand that one mistake shouldn’t define your future. Our legal team helps clients throughout New Orleans, Metairie, Jefferson Parish, and Southeast Louisiana understand their rights, minimize the damage of a DWI, and explore their options for clearing their record.
The Critical Distinction: Criminal Record vs. Driving Record
The simple answer to “How long does a DWI stay on your record in Louisiana?” is: indefinitely, usually up to 10 years, unless you get it expunged. However, understanding the nuance between your criminal record and your driving record is essential.
1. The Criminal Record (Permanent Impact)
Your criminal record is what appears on most background checks used by employers, landlords, and professional licensing boards.
- The Lifetime Rule: In Louisiana, a DWI conviction remains on your official criminal record forever unless a judge orders it to be expunged. It does not automatically fall off after a set number of years.
- Arrests Still Count: Even if your DWI case was dismissed, reduced, or you were found not guilty, the record of the arrest itself will still appear on your criminal record until it is successfully expunged.
- The 10-Year “Lookback”: For purposes of future DWI prosecution, Louisiana uses a 10-year “lookback period.” If you are arrested for a second DWI within 10 years of the first, it will be treated as a second offense with significantly harsher penalties. After the 10-year mark, a subsequent offense resets the clock to a “first offense” for sentencing purposes only, but the original conviction remains on your permanent criminal history.
2. The Driving Record (10-Year Impact)
Your driving record is maintained by the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and impacts your license status and insurance rates.
- 10-Year Visibility: A DWI conviction typically stays on your official OMV driving record for 10 years from the date of the conviction.
- License Suspension: The OMV will usually suspend your driving privileges separately from any court penalties. The length of the suspension varies based on your offense history, but the information stays visible to insurance providers for the full decade.
Because the most damaging part of the record—the criminal conviction—never disappears on its own, it’s crucial to take immediate legal action.
Can a DWI Be Expunged in Louisiana? The Strict Rules You Must Know
Yes, in many cases, a first-time DWI conviction can be expunged, which is the process of removing or hiding a record from public view. However, Louisiana’s expungement laws are extremely specific, and missing a single step can delay or completely derail your application.
Eligibility Requirements for DWI Expungement:
To be eligible to file for a DWI in Louisiana expungement, you must meet all of the following state requirements:
- Waiting Period: You must wait a minimum of five years after you have fully completed your entire sentence. This includes probation, community service, drug or alcohol education programs, and the payment of all fines and court costs.
- Clean Record: You must have no other felony arrests or pending charges, and no other misdemeanor convictions during the five-year waiting period.
- Specific Offense: The DWI must not have involved serious injury, death, or a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) which, under Louisiana law, can make the case ineligible for expungement.
Once expunged, the DWI will not appear on most routine employment and housing background checks. However, it may still be visible to law enforcement, courts, and certain government agencies.
Crucial Tip: Expungement is a complex, multi-step process involving the Louisiana State Police, the District Attorney’s office, and the Clerk of Court in the parish where you were convicted. Whether your case is in Jefferson Parish or St. Tammany Parish, the local court nuances matter. Contact our team today to get the legal help you deserve!
The Hidden Costs: How a Visible DWI Impacts Your Life
A visible DWI in Louisiana on your record, even one from years ago, can have significant and long-lasting ripple effects that extend far beyond the original court penalties.
1. Professional & Employment Barriers
Many employers run criminal background checks before hiring, especially for positions involving driving, operating machinery, security, or handling sensitive information. A visible DWI could limit your options or prevent you from obtaining a specific professional license.
2. Skyrocketing Insurance Rates
After a DWI, insurance carriers may label you as a high-risk driver, which can lead to your premiums increasing by 50% or more. This financial penalty can last for several years, even beyond the 10-year mark on your driving record.
3. International Travel Restrictions
Certain countries, most notably Canada, have strict laws regarding entry for individuals with criminal convictions, including DWIs. If your DWI is visible, you may be denied entry unless you complete a special and often lengthy rehabilitation or permit process.
4. Housing and Financial Stress
In smaller communities across St. Charles Parish and Southeast Louisiana, a record can cause personal and professional stress. Some landlords or financial institutions may also use background checks to make decisions on housing or loans.
What to Do Now If You’ve Been Charged with DWI in Louisiana
A DWI charge doesn’t automatically mean a conviction. The best strategy to clear your record is to prevent a conviction from happening in the first place. With a strong defense, an attorney can often:
- Challenge Probable Cause: Question the initial traffic stop or the arrest procedure (e.g., whether officers had legal probable cause to pull you over).
- Dispute Evidence: Challenge the accuracy and administration of the breathalyzer or blood test results.
- Negotiate Alternatives: Secure a negotiation for reduced charges or entry into a pretrial diversion program, which can often lead to a full dismissal of the charge upon successful completion.
At Bloom Legal Network, we evaluate every detail of your case—from the initial stop to the evidence collected in Orleans Parish or Metairie—to determine the best defense strategy and protect your rights.
Take the First Step Toward a Clean Record Today
Expunging or defending a DWI in Louisiana requires precise legal knowledge and strict adherence to deadlines. Even a small error in the paperwork can delay or derail your case, keeping that permanent conviction on your record for longer.
That’s why working with a legal team that understands the local court systems—from Orleans Parish Criminal District Court to the local municipal courts—can make a significant difference in reclaiming your future.
At Bloom Legal Network, we manage the entire process, protect your rights, and advocate for your best possible outcome.
If you’re dealing with a past DWI conviction or a current charge, don’t wait for the 10-year mark. That won’t clear your criminal record. Contact Bloom Legal Network today to learn what options are available to expunge your record and move forward with confidence.
Call us: 504-599-9997
Email us: info@bloomlegal.com
FAQs About DWI Records in Louisiana
1. How long does a DWI stay on your record in Louisiana if it’s your first offense?
For most first-time offenders, a DWI in Louisiana remains on your criminal record permanently unless you successfully expunge it. On your driving record, it typically remains for 10 years and may affect your insurance and background checks during that period.
2. Can I expunge a DWI if it happened more than 10 years ago?
Yes, in many cases. The 10-year mark only affects your driving record. As long as you completed your sentence and waited the mandatory five-year period without any other serious convictions, you can typically file for expungement—even if the DWI occurred over a decade ago. The expungement process varies slightly depending on the parish where you were convicted (e.g., Jefferson Parish vs. St. Tammany Parish), so legal guidance is essential.
3. What’s the difference between expunging and sealing a record in Louisiana?
Expungement means your record is officially hidden from public view and cannot be accessed by most private entities conducting background checks (like landlords and most employers). In Louisiana, DWI cases are typically expunged, not sealed. Even after expungement, certain agencies (like law enforcement and government licensing boards) may still have access. An attorney can help you understand what will remain visible after expungement and what won’t.
