A DWI Conviction Doesn’t Have to Mean a Lifetime of Repercussions
A single poor decision to get behind the wheel after drinking can affect your life for decades to come. An arrest for DWI can affect your ability to get a job, auto insurance, and so much more. The good news is that DWI expungement in St. Louis, MO is a possibility. We can help you get a fresh start with a clean record.
We’ve worked with clients throughout St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas to help them expunge or seal criminal records, including arrests for DWI and other eligible BAC-related offenses. We can do the same for you. Get in touch today to schedule your no-obligation consultation and learn more about the process and potential outcome.
Can You Expunge A dWI In Missouri?
A DWI conviction in Missouri stays on your criminal record permanently, unless you take legal action to expunge it. Even years after completing your sentence and probation, that conviction continues to appear on background checks run by employers, landlords, and insurance companies. The result? Higher insurance premiums, rejected job applications, and missed opportunities that can impact your earning potential for decades.
Missouri Expungement law provides a path forward through RSMo 610.130, which allows individuals with a first-offense misdemeanor DWI to petition for expungement after 10 years. This isn’t automatic—you must file a formal petition with the court, attend a hearing, and prove you meet specific eligibility requirements. But if successful, expungement legally restores you to the status you occupied before your arrest. The conviction is sealed, removed from public records, and you gain the legal right to deny it ever happened on job applications and other forms.
Missouri DWI Expungement Eligibility Requirements
Under RSMo 610.130, Missouri law sets strict eligibility requirements for DWI expungement. You must meet every single requirement listed below to qualify. Missing even one disqualifies you from expungement. Keep in mind, only one DWI expungement is allowed in your lifetime in the state of Missouri. If you successfully expunge your first DWI and later receive another DWI conviction, you cannot expunge the second one.
You Must Meet ALL of These Requirements:
✓ First-Time Offense Only
This must be your only DWI conviction. Second, third, or subsequent DWI offenses cannot be expunged under Missouri law.
✓ Misdemeanor Conviction
Your DWI must have been charged and convicted as a misdemeanor. Felony DWI convictions are not eligible for expungement.
✓ 10-Year Waiting Period
A minimum of 10 years must have passed since the date of your conviction. This waiting period cannot be shortened or waived.
✓ Completed Sentence Requirements
All probation, parole, fines, court costs, and other sentence requirements must be fully completed.
✓ No Other Alcohol-Related Offenses
You cannot have been convicted of any other intoxication-related traffic or boating offense since your DWI conviction, not even minor alcohol-related citations.
✓ No Alcohol-Related Enforcement Contacts
You must have no alcohol-related enforcement contacts as defined in Missouri law. This includes arrests, citations, or incidents involving alcohol and driving.
✓ No Pending Charges
You cannot have any pending intoxication-related traffic or boating charges at the time you file for expungement.
✓ Not a Commercial Driver
You cannot hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and your DWI cannot have occurred while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Use Our DWI Expungement Questionnaire
To See If You're Eligible For Expungement
The Missouri DWI Expungement Process
Step 1: Free Eligibility Review
We start with a comprehensive review of your DWI conviction and criminal history. We verify the conviction date, confirm you meet the 10-year requirement, check for any other alcohol-related offenses, and determine if you qualify under Missouri law. If you’re eligible, we explain exactly what to expect and answer all your questions about the process.
Step 2: Petition Preparation & Filing
Once you decide to move forward, we prepare your expungement petition according to Missouri court requirements. We name the Missouri Director of Revenue as a required party to the petition and file everything with the court where you were originally convicted. The standard filing fee is $250, though we can help you request a fee waiver if you qualify based on income.
Step 3: State Response & Court Hearing
Step 4: Expungement Order Granted
If the court grants your expungement, the judge issues an order directing all law enforcement agencies and courts to seal your DWI records. Your conviction is removed from public databases, and you are legally restored to the status you occupied before your arrest. We provide you with certified copies of the expungement order for your records. The complete DWI expungement process typically takes 90-120 days from initial filing to final expungement order
Why Choose Bradley Chapman Expungement Attorney For DWI Expungement?
Complex Statutory Requirements
RSMo 610.130 contains specific language and criteria that must be met exactly. We ensure your petition addresses every legal requirement, from the 10-year waiting period to proving no alcohol-related enforcement contacts. Missing even one element can result in automatic denial.
Court Hearing Representation
The expungement hearing requires you to prove to a judge that you have maintained a clean record for 10 years with no additional alcohol-related incidents. We present the necessary evidence, handle questioning from the judge, and respond to any objections the state may raise. Our courtroom experience ensures your case is presented professionally and persuasively.
Proper Party Identification
Missouri law requires you to name the Missouri Director of Revenue as a party to your expungement petition. Many people filing on their own fail to include the correct parties or use improper legal designations, which leads to dismissal before the hearing even takes place.
Complete Process Management
From initial filing through final expungement order, we handle every aspect of your case. You don’t have to navigate court clerks, figure out filing procedures, or worry about missed deadlines. We manage all paperwork, court appearances, and follow-up communications with the court and law enforcement agencies.
FAQs
Any conviction on your criminal record can affect your life for many years afterward. While you might feel that a DWI that occurred years ago should not count against you, the truth is that employers, insurers, and even law enforcement officials will still consider it. It’s considered a “prior offense” and may bar you from finding a job, obtaining professional licenses, entering the military, or even engaging in some volunteer activities.
Expungement seals that record, blocking it from public view and limiting access to only a few individuals, such as judges. That means it cannot be used against you when applying for most jobs (but not all), when shopping for auto insurance, or when applying for a professional license.
Are you ready to change your life for the better? Get in touch today to schedule a consultation on your DWI expungement.
While Missouri is one of the few states that allow you to expunge DWIs, you must qualify to clear your criminal record. To do so:
- Your conviction must be at least 10 years old.
- You cannot have had another DWI-related charge since then.
- You must not have previously expunged a DWI.
Note that expungement does not erase license suspension or refusing to take a breath test, as these are civil repercussions, not part of your criminal record.
Contact us today to learn more about expungement and whether your DWI conviction can be erased.
You must wait a minimum of 10 years from the date of your guilty plea. The waiting period cannot be shortened.
No. Missouri law only allows expungement of a first-offense DWI. Second or subsequent DWIs cannot be expunged.
Yes, a hearing is required. We represent you and handle all court appearances on your behalf.
Missouri expungement only applies to Missouri convictions. Out-of-state DWIs must be addressed in that state.
No. RSMo 610.130 specifically excludes commercial drivers from eligibility.
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Start Your DWI Expungement Today
Your DWI expungement can restore your record to what it was before the arrest, as if it never happened. You’ll be able to answer “no” when asked about criminal convictions on job applications, and you’ll have your firearm rights restored.
Schedule your free consultation today to determine your eligibility and learn exactly what it takes to clear your record. We’ll review your case, explain the timeline, and answer all your questions about the expungement process.