The answer depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the charge.
Many Americans dream of joining the military when they are old enough to do so. Whether it is viewed as a method of advancing their career, or simply as a way of serving their county, the military is an honorable profession — yet one that might be closed to anyone with a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, this could include some convictions for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
As an Orange County DUI defense attorney can explain, there is not a hard and fast rule against DUIs when it comes to joining the military. In other words, if you have a DUI conviction, you will not be automatically barred from enlisting. However, if your DUI had certain aggravating factors, if it was charged as a felony, or if was recent, you may not be able to serve. In addition, if you have not completed the terms of your probation or otherwise complied with your sentence, then you might not be able to join the military.
The military performs a background check as part of its enlistment process. It looks for any red flags, which includes criminal convictions — and under California law, DUIs are criminal convictions. Members of our military are often entrusted with top secret information. It is vitally important that they can be trusted to safeguard this information as well as the security of our nation. For these reasons, the military carefully screens all applicants, including for criminal records.
While a DUI will not automatically prevent a person from enlisting, it can make the process more difficult. An applicant may be required to obtain a waiver, and may be prevented from advancing. For any potential enlistee that has higher aspirations, such as attending Officer Candidate School, having a DUI conviction on your record will make it difficult to achieve this goal.
The harsh consequences of a DUI conviction — above and beyond the legal penalties — make it all the more important that you hire an aggressive Orange County DUI defense attorney if you have been charged with a DUI. While there are no guarantees, a skilled lawyer can put together the best possible defense by investigating the facts of your case and examining all legal options for having the charge reduced or the case dismissed. In that way, your Orange County DUI defense attorney will be able to secure the best possible outcome — which will help you achieve your dreams.
If you are convicted of a California DUI, it is vital to follow your Orange County DUI defense attorney’s advice, and complete all terms of your probation. That will help make sure that you can still pursue your goals, such as joining the military.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we represent clients in Orange County and the surrounding areas who have been charged with DUI. Our zealous representation helps to ensure that our clients get the best possible result based on the facts of their case, allowing them to move forward with their lives. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with an Orange County DUI defense attorney.
