Clearing a DUI From Your Record in Iowa
Whether a DUI or DWI conviction can be expunged or sealed in Iowa, and what to do instead if it can't.
Short answer: No. Convictions for operating while intoxicated (Iowa Code § 321J.2) are excluded from misdemeanor expungement, and juvenile OWI adjudications cannot be sealed. Iowa Code §§ 901C.3(2)(d), 232.150(1)(a)(4)
| DUI / DWI convictions | No. Convictions for operating while intoxicated (Iowa Code § 321J.2) are excluded from misdemeanor expungement, and juvenile OWI adjudications cannot be sealed. |
|---|---|
| How to apply | For acquittals and dismissals, the defendant or prosecutor applies to the court in the criminal case (or the court acts on its own), and parties get a chance to object. For a misdemeanor conviction, the defendant files an application in the county where the conviction occurred and must prove each requirement. The Iowa Supreme Court may set procedural rules for these applications. |
Where to get help in Iowa
More Iowa expungement & criminal records
- Getting a Copy of Your Iowa Criminal Record
- Expunging or Sealing a Felony in Iowa
- How to File for Expungement in Iowa
- Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Records in Iowa
- All Iowa expungement & criminal records rules
FAQ
Can a DUI be expunged in Iowa?
No. Convictions for operating while intoxicated (Iowa Code § 321J.2) are excluded from misdemeanor expungement, and juvenile OWI adjudications cannot be sealed.
How do you file for expungement in Iowa?
For acquittals and dismissals, the defendant or prosecutor applies to the court in the criminal case (or the court acts on its own), and parties get a chance to object. For a misdemeanor conviction, the defendant files an application in the county where the conviction occurred and must prove each requirement. The Iowa Supreme Court may set procedural rules for these applications.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.