Ocean City, Maryland drivers know that a security clearance is important for many of the top jobs in the federal government – one of the largest employers in the Old Line State. However, people are human and sometimes mistakes are made. If that mistake is a charge of driving while under the influence or driving while intoxicated what impact will that have on a security clearance?
A security clearance means that you have been granted access to classified information or to restricted areas after a background check. The background check process is thorough and will include a check of your criminal history.
The good news is that an Ocean City, Maryland DUI might not cost you your clearance. Whether you keep your security clearance depends on the circumstances surrounding the DUI or DWI. If your criminal record is clean before your first DUI offense, there might be a chance your clearance will stay active. You will, however, have to make sure to comply with the requirements laid down by the court.
Many impaired driving offenses, especially those involving first-time offenses, are charged as misdemeanors not felonies.
So, in most instances, if the DUI is a misdemeanor and a first-time charge, then you can probably keep your security clearance.
It is also possible for you to get a higher clearance level after an Ocean City DUI or DWI. However, you must be upfront and disclose it in order to destroy the potential for blackmail.
There are some circumstances surrounding an Ocean City DUI charge or Ocean City DWI charge that can lead to a suspended or revoked clearance. Most of these involve the DUIs and DWIs that are charged as felonies. In Maryland, a DUI becomes a felony when there is a death or significant bodily injury. The DUI will be charged as a vehicular assault or vehicular manslaughter. These cases are felonies and are prosecuted severely.
In order to get a DUI/DWI conviction, prosecutors must prove that you were driving the vehicle or had “actual physical control” of the vehicle. In some instances, suspects have been arrested even though they were sitting in the car waiting to sober up before they drove away.
Of course, the help of an Ocean City DUI security clearance attorney is extremely important as soon as you are charged.
An Ocean City, Maryland DWI security clearance attorney can help you with your DWI charge. An Ocean City DUI security clearance attorney can review your case to determine if the charge can be reduced or dismissed. Probation before judgment is also a possibility. The attorneys at Maronick Law LLC have experience fighting Ocean City, Maryland DWI charges. The office is open during the pandemic and will continue to meet your Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, Essex, Ocean City, Towson, White Marsh DUI legal needs. The consultation is free.
We can meet with you remotely if you have access to Zoom. You can contact Thomas Maronick on his cellphone at 202.288.0167, the law office at 410.402.5571 or through the website for a free consultation.