one Dui but record has been destroyed by the courts

[part61pilotsd]

Hi all,

Tried to search the forums but no luck on my situation.

I am currently 37 years old, with one DUI conviction back in 2009 a month before I turned 21. Record has been sparckless since then, however here is where I stand. I Started flying (student pilot) and AME cleared my 3rd grade medical, I did disclose that I had a dui when i was 20 years old, however do not have any records of the arrest. Got my 3rd grade issued and got a letter in the mail from FAA that requested the arrest record etc. I contacted the court and they sent me the criminal record search that stated when i was convicted, probabtion for 3 years (typical of a 1st offence for DUI) and then "the court tile you requested is not available, Pursuant to Governmetn code section 68152, the file was eligible for desctruction and thereby is not available." I called the FAA office and they said to just include that letter and a statement of my relationship with alch past, present etc.

Has anybody ever requested their records from the courts and had the same letter as me issued? anything specific that I should describe on my statement? Of course I will take 100% ownership of it with no excuses etc

Any help would be much apprciated. Thank you all

 

[SoCal 182 Driver]

Did you have a lawyer (even a public defender)? If so, perhaps they have the necessary documents in their file.

 

[wellknow]

If faa will accept that don’t go looking for more records that may open up another can of worms!

 

[wellknow]

just say it was a deeply unpleasant experience and u learned a very painful lesson. but it was a wake up call about the dangers of drinking. and u only occasionally drink socially and never drink and drive.

 

[bbchien]

They'll probably ask for 3 letters (current timeframe) saying upstanding citizen, not known to imbibe, etc.....
At 20 years, with the proper contrition and a clean record, they have more leeway.....

 

[murphey]

just say it was a deeply unpleasant experience and u learned a very painful lesson. but it was a wake up call about the dangers of drinking. and u only occasionally drink socially and never drink and drive.

Don't put anything like this in the letter to the FAA. Never, never, never even intimate that you "only occasionally drink socially"
Rule of thumb - do not ever volunteer anything to the FAA. Provide exactly what it asks for, do not elaborate, do not justify, do not explain.

Pay attention to Dr Chien.