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When someone is convicted of an impaired driving offense in Maine—officially referred to as Operating Under the Influence (OUI)—the record of that offense can follow them for years. One of the most common questions after a conviction is whether the charge can be expunged or sealed to reduce its long-term impact. In many states, limited record-clearing options exist. But Maine has its own approach to criminal records, and it’s important to understand how the system works.
This post will walk through whether OUIs can be removed from a person’s criminal record or driving record in Maine, what alternatives exist, and what people should know about long-term visibility. Unlike some states with structured expungement processes, Maine has strict limitations on record clearing. The outcome for most people convicted of OUI is that the record remains visible for the foreseeable future.
For individuals seeking a fresh start after an OUI conviction, understanding what’s possible—and what isn’t—is essential. This post explains the legal and administrative framework around sealing and expungement in Maine and the broader implications for those living with an OUI on their record.
Does Maine Allow Expungement for OUI Convictions?
The short answer is no—Maine does not allow expungement of adult criminal convictions, including OUI. Unlike some states that provide a legal mechanism to erase or seal past offenses, Maine maintains a permanent criminal record for adult convictions. Once a person is found guilty of an OUI, that offense becomes a lasting part of their legal history.
This means that even years after serving penalties, completing probation, and returning to everyday life, the conviction still remains in court records and criminal databases. Expungement is not currently an available remedy under Maine law for individuals with an OUI conviction, regardless of whether it was a first offense or involved mitigating circumstances.
This legal structure reflects the state’s approach to transparency and accountability in criminal justice. While it can pose long-term challenges for individuals, it is considered part of maintaining public access to criminal histories.
What About Record Sealing or Restricting Access?
In some states, record sealing is used as an alternative to expungement. Sealed records remain in existence but are made inaccessible to most employers, landlords, and agencies. However, Maine does not have a general record sealing law for adult criminal cases, including OUI.
There are limited exceptions, primarily for juvenile records or cases that were dismissed without conviction. If someone was charged with OUI but later acquitted or had the case dropped, they may be able to request that court records be updated to reflect the outcome. But this is not the same as sealing or removing a conviction.
For adults convicted of OUI, there is currently no process to request that the record be hidden or sealed from background checks. The conviction remains fully visible in court systems, law enforcement databases, and any public or private records that rely on criminal justice data.
Does a Pardon Erase an OUI Conviction in Maine?
The only potential pathway for some form of relief in Maine is through a gubernatorial pardon. A pardon is a formal declaration of forgiveness issued by the Governor of Maine. However, even this does not erase the conviction—it merely recognizes that the individual has been rehabilitated.
Pardoned offenses still remain on your criminal record, though they may be noted as “pardoned” in official documents. A pardon does not remove the conviction from public databases or from the records maintained by the courts, law enforcement, or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
The process for applying for a pardon is lengthy and selective. Applicants typically must wait several years after completing all sentence requirements and must demonstrate a clean post-conviction record and positive community contributions. Even then, approval is rare and not guaranteed.
OUI Records and Maine’s Driving Record Policies
Even though the focus of expungement discussions is often on criminal records, driving records also play a role in the long-term impact of an OUI conviction. In Maine, the BMV keeps a permanent driving record, and OUI convictions become a part of that file.
Just like the criminal record, the driving record does not have a clearing mechanism for OUI offenses. While the legal lookback period for sentencing purposes is 10 years, the offense remains visible to law enforcement, the courts, and certain employers indefinitely.
This affects insurance rates, future legal penalties for repeat offenses, and eligibility for commercial driving jobs. The inability to remove OUI offenses from the driving record further underscores the lasting nature of these convictions in Maine.
Implications of a Permanent OUI Record
Because an OUI conviction in Maine cannot be expunged or sealed, it can continue to impact multiple areas of life:
- Employment: Jobs that involve driving, safety-sensitive roles, or government positions often include criminal background checks. An OUI can raise concerns, especially if the employer has strict hiring policies.
- Housing: Some landlords conduct background screenings that include criminal records. A visible OUI may influence their decision, even if the offense occurred many years ago.
- Professional Licensing: Licensing boards in fields like healthcare, education, or transportation may factor in a past OUI when evaluating applications.
- Insurance: Elevated auto insurance rates may persist for years after an OUI and are often tied to the information maintained on the driving record.
Without access to expungement or sealing, these long-term effects become part of the reality for anyone with an OUI conviction in Maine.
Are There Any Efforts to Change Maine’s Expungement Laws?
There have been occasional legislative discussions in Maine about reforming the state’s approach to criminal records, but as of now, no laws have been passed to allow broad expungement or sealing for adult convictions. Reform efforts tend to focus on specific populations, such as nonviolent offenders or low-level drug crimes, and do not currently include OUI.
Until any future legal changes occur, individuals with OUI convictions in Maine must operate under the assumption that their record will remain visible indefinitely and cannot be removed through expungement or sealing.
Legal professionals and advocacy organizations continue to raise awareness about the impact of permanent records, but changes—if they come—are likely to be gradual and narrow in scope.
FAQ: OUI Expungement and Record Sealing in Maine
Can I expunge an OUI conviction in Maine?
No. Maine does not allow expungement of adult criminal convictions, including OUI.
Is there a way to seal my OUI record?
No. Maine does not offer a process for sealing adult OUI convictions. The record remains public and visible.
What about getting a pardon?
You can apply for a gubernatorial pardon, but it does not remove the conviction from your record. It only indicates rehabilitation.
Can I remove an OUI from my driving record?
No. OUI convictions remain on your Maine driving record permanently. There is no removal process.
Are there any upcoming laws that could change this?
There have been discussions, but no current laws allow for expungement or sealing of OUI convictions in Maine.
Conclusion
In Maine, an OUI conviction cannot be expunged or sealed, and there is no legal mechanism to remove it from either your criminal or driving record. The offense remains permanently visible and may continue to affect employment, housing, insurance, and legal matters for years to come. While a pardon may offer some relief, it does not erase the conviction.
To better understand how these long-term record impacts work, visit the DUI Records and Long Term Impact pillar page. For more detail about how long impaired driving convictions remain visible, check out our guide on How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.