system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is it that in the USA you will most likely always have a criminal record if you have been accused of a crime, even if you were never convicted or were later found to be wrongfully convicted?

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gpt
Having something on your record isn't the same as being guilty. The record would simply say you were charged but found not guilty, in the same way an officer would still make a note that he gave you a verbal warning even if he didn't write you an actual ticket. It's just a record of your interaction with the justice system.

In exceedingly rare circumstances, ie there wasn't even real evidence to warrant you being investigated or charged, let alone found guilty, you can have the record *expunged* which makes it as if it never happened. But this really is reserved for outrageous police incompetence or conspiracy.

I have no idea what the other guy is talking about with DUIs and getting arrested. If you get pulled over for driving intoxicated, the officer will place you under arrest. You will be charged with DUI and go before a judge. Most people get arrested before they end up in court and get convicted, that's kinda the entire way the system works.