Who can see a DUI on record?

[elmuchoprez]

What is the name of your state?
Michigan.

I did some poking around and I see that in Michigan, you cannot have a DUI expunged from your record.

So what exactly does that mean?

I know the cops/judge can see I had the DUI, but is that info readily available to the public? How about all these ridiculous background checking web sites that claim to dig up things like DUI convictions on anyone for $50? What does an employer have to do to get that info?

I'm just trying to understand the long running ramifications. My DUI was several years ago, and despite making my life hell for about a year after it happened, it hasn't caused me any real trouble since then (you know, other than insane insurance rates). But these days, for one reason or a another, I find myself wondering a lot about who can see my mistakes.

 

[fairisfair]

http://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO/services/dirs/tlinks.htm

well, personally, it took me about 9 seconds, I am sure I could find more if properly motivated.

 

[fairisfair]

and then there is always this, if you want to spend a couple of bucks
http://www.searchsystems.net/list.php?nid=851

 

[elmuchoprez]

Thanks for the link. I did some looking at that and it just seems to be a list of links to the various courts in Michigan. I couldn't find anything there that was actually able to link a specific name to a specific offense. Well, not misdemeanor DUI anyway. There's some interesting links that can tell you about various people currently in jail (with pics and everything).

 

[elmuchoprez]

As to the second link:

I'm aware of many sites like that out there. No, I haven't paid any money to ever search them. I probably should, but I'm just trying to dig up free advice at the moment.

I'm sure they don't have any special access to court records that wouldn't be available to any normal citizen. I'm just wondering what the processes is for getting that info.

Again, I'm just wondering how easy or difficult it would be for someone to find out what's in my past.

 

[3400MAN]

Same Thing

I am wondering the same thing. I got a DUI 7 years ago in PA and have a court date in VA for a second DUI. Though the magistrate when they charged me called it my first offense misdemeanor DUI in VA. I am wondering on my court date (11/30/06) if this will come back to bite me despite having it expunged from my driving record. In 2003 a police officer pulled me over and said that I did not have a previous DUI that he could see. The same year I ran my drivers license history and it did show up then. It's now been over 7 years. The old law in PA said that after 7 years the charge dropped off your record. The law has since changed to 10 years. I wonder what will happen to me?

 

[zigfeld]

I am wondering the same thing. I got a DUI 7 years ago in PA and have a court date in VA for a second DUI. Though the magistrate when they charged me called it my first offense misdemeanor DUI in VA. I am wondering on my court date (11/30/06) if this will come back to bite me despite having it expunged from my driving record. In 2003 a police officer pulled me over and said that I did not have a previous DUI that he could see. The same year I ran my drivers license history and it did show up then. It's now been over 7 years. The old law in PA said that after 7 years the charge dropped off your record. The law has since changed to 10 years. I wonder what will happen to me?

I thought it came off your driving history but not your criminal history. If you were ever arrested, even though not found guilty, you have a record.

 

[elmuchoprez]

Well, after a little more looking, I'm sorry to report that I was easily able to find a recond online using a state run database. I had to pay $10, but it was definately there.

The record included the charge and the plea, along with the district and the offense date. No other real information.

Near as I can tell, that record will be available for life. God bless computers.

 

[fairisfair]

Well, after a little more looking, I'm sorry to report that I was easily able to find a recond online using a state run database. I had to pay $10, but it was definately there.

The record included the charge and the plea, along with the district and the offense date. No other real information.

Near as I can tell, that record will be available for life. God bless computers.

I figured you would find it fairly easily. Every state is different in how much they have online available to the public, but they are still public records. Now if you had asked me about my state, if would have take me less than 2 seconds to get to the site and to find your entire history. Seems like we put everything online here. Everything from driving records, to inmate history, to court cases.

 

[danno6925]

I am wondering the same thing. I got a DUI 7 years ago in PA and have a court date in VA for a second DUI. Though the magistrate when they charged me called it my first offense misdemeanor DUI in VA. I am wondering on my court date (11/30/06) if this will come back to bite me despite having it expunged from my driving record. In 2003 a police officer pulled me over and said that I did not have a previous DUI that he could see. The same year I ran my drivers license history and it did show up then. It's now been over 7 years. The old law in PA said that after 7 years the charge dropped off your record. The law has since changed to 10 years. I wonder what will happen to me?

The pa Superior Court ruled in 2001 that PennDot can only keep your DUI on your record for 7 yrs. What law change are you referencing? We're having a debate about this in my office, and this has significant bearing on our discussion.

 

[BigMistakeFl]

BigMistakeFl

Background searches are a largely unregulated booming new industry. The easiest way to see what others can see is to run a check on yourself. You can do this all over the internet. No more surprises.

Be prepared to disclose this info fully to employers or prospective employers. Better to give them the story on your terms than to let them catch you no being fully honest and jumping to all sorts of conclusions.