No. A conviction for driving under the influence under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2 cannot be expunged in Rhode Island, and neither can a chemical test refusal under § 31-27-2.1 or DUI resulting in death under § 31-27-2.2. First offense or not, however many years have passed, the answer is the same. Older guidance that a first-time DUI could be cleared after 5 years is wrong. The one exception is a DUI charge that was dismissed, ended in a not guilty finding, or was reduced to a non-DUI offense such as reckless driving; the dismissed count can be sealed and reckless driving follows the normal misdemeanor rules. That is why the plea you accept in a DUI case matters for life.
