When you get charged with a crime as a security clearance holder, it’s not the same for you as it is for everyone else. Even modest offenses can have catastrophic consequences for your clearance, and sometimes the line between what is a problem and what isn’t can be very different than it would be for other people. Over the almost two decades I’ve been practicing law, a large proportion of the people that I represent have had security clearances.
Most people with a security clearance have never been in any significant trouble before. That’s part of the reason you got your clearance in the first place. It’s important to keep your record intact as much as possible and I’ve helped many Maryland residents do that over the years.
For a clearance holder, any charge can put your job on the line.
For a clearance holder, any charge at all can feel terrifying, and rightly so. I understand that, and I treat every one of those cases with the urgency it deserves. Call me at (301) 556-8709 and let’s talk about what I can do for you.
The Outcome of Your Case Matters More Than You Might Think
How your case resolves matters for everyone, but for a clearance holder it can matter in ways that go well beyond the penalty itself. The charge, the disposition, and the circumstances all factor into how you might look when your security clearance is being reviewed, which is why getting good legal help is so important.
Your security clearance also can affect decisions regarding shielding and expungement, fine amounts, and your disposition. A security clearance holder often has a potential penalty built in that I can use in order to improve your outcome. Decisionmakers throughout the judicial process care about such things, and I’ve had conversations with clients, judges, and prosecutors over many years regarding these matters.
Criminal Charges
Clearance holders come to me with all sorts of problems. Shoplifting, theft, drug possession, and assault are all quite common. I see these regularly. They are serious charges for anyone, but when your clearance and your job are part of the picture, the pressure to get a good result is even greater. I know how much is at stake, and I approach every case with that in mind.
Traffic Charges
What may seem like a basic traffic charge in Maryland is often incarcerable. Even a payable ticket can sometimes exceed your reporting amount (often $300) depending on the fine. Driving on a suspended license, driving without insurance, DUI, DWI, reckless driving by exceeding 30mph over, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident are all incarcerable in Maryland. And it’s not just about your clearance, it’s also about making sure that you are allowed to drive to your job after your case is over. I can help you with all of these issues.
Act Quickly
There are deadlines in every criminal and traffic case, and some of the most important ones come in the first days after an arrest or a traffic stop. Waiting costs you options. Call me at (301) 556-8709 as soon as possible after your arrest or citation, and we can start putting together a strategy right away.
