Security Clearance With A DUI

Perhaps you were arrested by a law enforcement officer for driving while intoxicated on your way home from a party. However, is a conviction going to prevent you from obtaining the necessary security clearance?

Following steps to take

Being arrested for DUI is a terrifying experience, even more so if it is your first offense. The next step is a court appearance, at which time your attorney can negotiate with the prosecution to try and get the charges against you reduced or dismissed. You must, however, schedule a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a provisional driver’s license to serve as a temporary replacement for the license revoked by law enforcement during your arrest.

Consequences for clearance

The good news is that one drunk driving incident should not disqualify you from obtaining the required security clearance. However, it is critical that you follow your attorney’s advice and any court-ordered requirements, such as taking safe driving classes or attending alcohol counseling.

Additional concerns

Alcohol consumption is one of the criteria used to determine whether or not to grant a security clearance to an applicant. The issue you’re almost certainly going to run into is recidivism: you don’t want to be a repeat DUI offender. If that occurs, the government will scrutinize your impulse control, which is associated with binge drinking, as well as your judgment, which is associated with driving after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol. If you receive a security clearance following a first DUI conviction, keep in mind that if you receive a second DUI, your employer may revoke it.

Upward and forward!

Your DUI conviction may have been an isolated incident that you vow not to repeat. Investigate your legal options to determine whether you can obtain the assistance you require. Fortunately, a single drunk driving incident should not jeopardize your chances of obtaining the security clearance necessary to pursue your desired career.