DUI Arrest Records in Denver

Under Colorado state law, all government records related to the arrest, charging, and conviction of a state resident for a criminal offense are available to the public and accessible through both government-operated and third-party sources. This means that if you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), the fact that you were arrested will be part of a file that the state government retains and can be accessed through background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or by virtually anyone else who wants to see it.

However, DUI arrest records in Denver are not necessarily permanent, and there are certain circumstances under which you may be able to get those records sealed away from public access. If you want to explore your options in this regard, you should contact an experienced DUI defense lawyer for assistance.

What Information Is in a DUI Arrest Record?

Arrest records in Colorado contain various details identifying both the person who was arrested and the specific criminal offense(s) that they were suspected of committing. The records include all of the following information:

• The defendant’s name and date of birth
• Physical descriptors such as height, weight, ethnicity, and eye/hair color
• The date(s) on which the defendant was arrested and booked
• The law enforcement agency and specific officer(s) that made the arrest
• The location of the arrest, the alleged offense(s), or where the defendant was detained
• The specific offense(s) the defendant was formally charged with, if any
• Fingerprints and booking numbers, if applicable

However, information related to DUI testing, such as blood alcohol concentration test results and field sobriety test results, may not be included in the publicly accessible version of a Denver driver’s DUI arrest record, although they would likely still be recorded for the benefit of law enforcement and government bodies with authority to access those confidential details.

Getting DUI Arrest Records Sealed or Expunged

Records related to arrests and convictions for felony offenses as well as sexual and violent crimes are generally permanent and cannot be hidden or removed from government files under any circumstances. However, if you are arrested for DUI but are never formally charged with a crime at the outset, you can apply to have records related to that arrest “sealed,” which means the public would not have any access to those records, and they would not show up in a standard background check.

Additionally, juvenile criminal records, records of arrests made based on mistaken identity, and certain other records can sometimes be expunged, meaning that they are permanently destroyed and completely inaccessible to anyone at all, except for certain government officials under extremely limited circumstances. A qualified attorney can discuss which, if either, of these options may be available during a private initial consultation if you are seeking to seal or expunge your DUI arrest record in Denver.

Discuss Legal Options for DUI Arrest Records With a Denver Attorney

Being arrested on suspicion of drunk driving could change the course of your life in an instant. Even if you have no other criminal history, a single DUI charge could limit your options for work, housing, and even some forms of government service, not to mention the potential consequences of an ensuing conviction.

Fortunately, you have help available from a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer who could handle your DUI arrest records in Denver as proactively as possible. Call today to set up a confidential meeting.