ARKANSAS

DWI Statute

In the state of Arkansas, a driving while intoxicated offense is:

Arkansas Code Annotated, § 5-65-103

Typical Sentencing for First Offense

Jail Upto 1 year
Fines $150-$1,000
License Suspension 4 to 6 months
Interlock Ignition Device (IID) Yes
Probation 12 to 18 months

Alternative Resolutions

These lead to no conviction and are called conditional discharge. Admissibility remains unavailable until completion and in the interim of these alternative programs.

Availability for DWI                                              No

Background checks

Pleading Down

Pleading guilty to some offenses is not equivalent to a crime in Canada, therefore it does not result in inadmissibility. Your lawyer could argue for a traffic violation or highway obstruction to contest a DUI/DWI which do not result in inadmissibility to Canada. Not all plea bargains guarantee admissibility.

Availability for DWI                                               No

Expungement & Pardons

This allows your criminal record to be cleared. DUI convictions are eligible for expungements after the completion of the sentence, provided that there are no other charges pending against the offender.

Availability for DWI Yes
General info
  • Minor felonies and drug convictions eligible for sealing after five years; misdemeanors and certain drug convictions after completion of sentence (presumption in favor of sealing); prostitution convictions as a result of being a victim of human trafficking eligible for sealing at any time (mandatory if found to be human trafficking victim)
  • Serious violent and sexual offenses ineligible, as are motor vehicle violations committed by holder of a commercial driver’s license
  • Deferred adjudication for first-time offenders may result in sealing (serious violent offenses and certain sex offenses ineligible)
  • Non-conviction records, including cases where charges have been dismissed, “shall” be sealed by sentencing court unless there is a public safety risk
  • Expungement available in only two situations: where non-violent felony committed before the age of 18, and after completion of drug court

Application Links

If inadmissibility to Canada cannot be avoided, these are the remedies offered:

FWCanada free consultation offer

At FWCanada, we are happy to offer free consultation to promptly provide honest assessment of your case and chances of success. As one of the leading immigration law firms in the country specializing in criminal inadmissibility, we have extensive experience in handling a wide range of cases. We prioritize detailed review of each client’s case to optimise application approval.

Please call on our toll free number: +1 (855) 316 3555 to ask all your burning questions and remedy confusions, because providing honest and accurate advice is our ethos.

FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration, follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.