Traveling With a DUI Conviction

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07 Jul Traveling With a DUI Conviction

Posted at 16:05h in DUI, Felonies, misdemeanor by

The summer is in full swing and that means travel plans are often made for sightseeing or vacationing. But if you have a DUI conviction on your criminal record, you may need to consider it when making your travel plans. At Coolidge Law Firm (serving the greater Phoenix area), we know having a DUI on your record can be a painful thing. It can have a number of negative consequences, including the loss of your license, the loss of your job, probation, fines, and time in jail, just to name a few. But what you may not be aware of is that traveling with a DUI conviction could mean restrictions if your plans include travel to certain countries.

A DUI Conviction Could Make Travel to These Countries Tricky

When traveling internationally, be aware that any country can use a criminal background as a reason to refuse your entry into the country. And some countries have stricter policies and laws than others when it comes to criminal activities. According to USA Today, here are a few countries where a DUI conviction might make a border crossing or immigration at the airport challenging.

    1. New Zealand. If you’re traveling to New Zealand and have a DUI, entry will depend on the amount of time you spent in prison and when you were released from prison.
    2. Canada. Our pals up north have very rigid rules when it comes to DUIs. There are possible ways around it, but you may have to wait 10 years for the conviction to be expunged from your record before entering Canada freely.
    3. Mexico. The same goes for Mexico. You’ll likely have to wait for 10 years for that Cancún vacation.
    4. China/Japan/Malaysia. These countries all require you to apply for a travel visa in advance in order to enter. Criminal history will be asked about, and depending on your answers, they can choose to do a background check. Honesty is always the best policy when communicating during the application process.
    5. Dubai/Persian Gulf. As conservative Muslim countries, these nations look down on alcohol-related crimes. It’s possible, if asked at immigration about your criminal history, they may deny you entry.

 

DUI Lawyer in Phoenix

If you are facing a DUI charge in Arizona, don’t leave your future to chance! Todd Coolidge has handled thousands of DUI cases and has the skill, experience, and knowledge to effectively handle your matter. Contact Coolidge Law Firm today. As a certified criminal law specialist, we’ll do everything we can to prevent a DUI conviction.

 

Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst (7/7/2018)

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