A DUI does not disqualify you from security clearance but may impact your employment. Even the lowest-level security jobs often require a degree of clearance. If you can’t keep your criminal record clean, you may find yourself explaining a DUI in interviews or after background checks.
Fortunately, you don’t have to challenge a DUI on your own. You can speak with a DUI lawyer Los Angeles legal professionals can walk you through the criminal process and fight to keep a DUI off your record. In doing so, we can make it easier for you to keep your clearance or apply for a job in security.
Understanding Security Clearances
Many jobs award security clearance to employees, particularly when those employees handle sensitive information. Anyone interested in working with federal agencies, the U.S. State Department, or as a member of the intelligence community must maintain a degree of secrecy to protect their job.
Military personnel, government contractors, defense contractors, and other employees who fail to maintain their security clearance may face reprimand or, more often, dismissal.
All of the institutions that require employees to maintain internal secrecy similarly require job applicants to undergo background checks. Applicants who fail their background checks may not automatically be disqualified from the position they’ve applied for, but it may impact their chances of getting a job.
Background Checks and Internal Reviews
Background checks do more than reveal a person’s past criminal conduct. Many agencies believe that background checks paint a picture of a person’s moral character. A history of drunk driving may suggest that a person can’t keep secrets or has questionable judgment.
If a government employee’s conduct becomes a security concern, an agency may reduce their level of security clearance or fire them altogether. This is why it’s important to discuss any accusations of criminal misconduct with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.
While a single incident may not see you removed from secret clearances, criminal convictions can damage your employment prospects. It’s in your best interest to challenge any accusations brought against you.
How a DUI Can Disqualify You for a Security Clearance
Everyone makes mistakes. The federal government and the institutions therein factor human error into the screening process for top-secret clearance and security clearance reviews. You don’t have to be perfect to get a security clearance, but that doesn’t mean a DUI won’t raise red flags during your background check.
On its own, a DUI isn’t an instant disqualification. Instead, DUIs encourage an investigator to take a closer look at your alleged relationship with alcohol. If an investigator believes that your alcohol consumption may endanger national security, they may ask questions about how you intend to turn your consumption around.
Unfortunately, multiple DUIs received in a short period may see investigators move for the removal of your confidential clearances. You need a strong defense to keep DUIs off of your criminal history, especially if you want to prevent your conduct from impacting your career.
Be Ready to Address Any DUI Convictions During Your Background Check
The screening process for a security clearance is about determining how good of a fit you are overall rather than homing in on singular mistakes. If you do have a DUI conviction on your record, be ready to address it during the background check. The more recent the conviction, the more interested the investigator will be in how you have handled it.
You’ll want to make sure that you have completed any mandated DUI education classes or probation. Be current on any fines or fees that may have been assessed for your conviction. If you sought treatment for alcohol addiction, make sure that you can speak to your specific recovery steps and how it has improved your life.
Fight the DUI Conviction Before it Hits Your Record
While a DUI conviction may not be disqualifying on its own, it can work against you in the process of obtaining a security clearance. If you are facing a DUI charge, your best bet at getting or keeping a security clearance is by beating the charge.
While an arrest may show up on your background check, having the charge dismissed or reduced can positively improve your prospects. A DUI lawyer can help you build the strongest defense possible for a DUI charge. They can examine your case to see if:
- The officer arresting you had probable cause
- There were anomalies with the chemical test used to capture your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Alternative factors such as diabetes or a low-carb diet could have contributed to a higher BAC
These factors, among others, can help reduce the likelihood of you receiving a DUI conviction. No DUI charge is unbeatable, and your DUI lawyer may be able to help you have the charges dismissed or reduced.
When to Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
A DUI does not automatically disqualify you from security clearance. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take criminal charges seriously. You can challenge DUI charges in criminal court, particularly when your job is on the line. Our Los Angeles DUI lawyers can represent you throughout criminal proceedings and protect your future.
Your first consultation with our team comes free of charge. Let’s discuss the defenses that can protect your confidential security clearance today.
