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First offense drunk driving convictions do appear on public records, and it would most likely show up on a future employer's background check. A first offense DUI may not appear on a CCAP since it's not a criminal offense, but it could appear under other forms of background checks.
Yes, Drunk Driving Convictions Appear on Public Record
If you have a prior OWI conviction, it is part of your public record and will likely show up on a background check run by potential employers, landlords, educational institutions, and others. A 1st offense OWI may not appear on CCAP because it is not a criminal offense, but if the background check includes the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau or the Department of Transportation, the charge is more likely to appear.
Although the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) restricts reporting criminal arrests after 7 years, criminal convictions may be reported forever. An OWI expungement is impossible and there is no way to remove your OWI conviction from your permanent public record.
You Are Only Guilty If You Are Convicted
How to Talk About a DUI in a Job Interview
It is important to be honest about past convictions when applying for a job. If you say on your application you have no prior convictions, but your prospective employer sees an OWI on your public record during the background check, he or she will doubt your integrity and wonder what else you might be hiding. Even if they don’t see the conviction in your background check, they may find out later, and you could be fired.
In applications and interviews, answer questions about past convictions truthfully. If you mention your OWI on your application and your interviewer does not bring it up in the interview, you are not obligated to mention the conviction. Simply describe your experience, qualifications, skills, achievements, and any volunteer work to demonstrate you’re the right person for the job.
If the interviewer asks about your OWI conviction, be up front about the circumstances and how you’ve changed since then. Explain you made a poor decision and describe any treatment or DUI courses you completed. This will show the potential employer you accept responsibility for your mistake and have worked to improve.
Contact our OWI defense lawyer for more information.
In Wisconsin, how long does an OWI charge stay on your record?
Wisconsin OWIs do appear on background checks, and although they are not always there for life, or 1st offense OWI may not appear as a criminal record, it could come up on employee or other background checks.
