Quick answer: A DWI conviction stays on your Texas criminal record permanently — convictions cannot be expunged. Some first-time DWIs (BAC under 0.15, no accident) can be sealed through nondisclosure after a waiting period. If your case is dismissed or you’re acquitted, you can seek full expunction.
This video answers one of the most-asked DWI questions: the conviction never falls off on its own. That’s why the outcome of the case — dismissal, reduction, acquittal, or conviction — matters for the rest of your life.
It covers the paths to cleaning your record: expunction after a dismissal or acquittal, and nondisclosure (sealing) for qualifying first-time convictions under the 2017 law. It also explains why priors never stop counting for enhancement if you’re ever charged again.
Related reading: How long does a DWI stay on your record?
Contact Stephen T. Bowling, DWI & Criminal Defense Attorneys for a free consultation — we answer these questions about your specific case, at no cost and no obligation.
