Maryland Criminal Charges and Security Clearances

If you have been charged or accused of a criminal offense in Maryland while holding a security clearance, the following is what you need to know about the impact it can have on your clearance, and what a Maryland criminal defense attorney can do to help. For more specific information regarding your case and the actions you can take, call and schedule a free consultation today.

How Can a Criminal Charge Effect Your Security Clearance?

A criminal charge or conviction could result in the loss of a security clearance, the inability to renew your clearance, or it could result in your inability to take your clearance to a higher level. The actual impact depends greatly on the nature of the charge and the nature of your clearance. So, a minor DUI charge may not have any kind of implication for a security clearance, but a conviction for fraud or theft will have very serious implications for a security clearance.

Experience Working With Security Clearances

Yes, I have a great deal of experience in this area. A significant percentage of my clients have clearances, probably because of the location where I practice. My office is located extremely close to the National Security Agency as well as various Department of Defense facilities. I would say anywhere between 15 and 25 percent of my clients have clearances or potential security clearance issues.

How Does a Security Clearance Impact Your Approach?

It does not have much of an impact in terms of seeking an acquittal. I seek acquittal for every single client that I have. Whether you have a clearance or not, I’m going to do my best to get you the best possible outcome in the case. However, it will change some of the advice that I may give in terms of disclosure to potential employers. If an individual does not have a clearance, they may not want to disclose a pending charge to their employer.

If, on the other hand, an individual does have a clearance, especially one that requires disclosure, I am going to counsel that person to disclose immediately. Frequently, getting a criminal charge may not affect the clearance, but attempting to hide one absolutely will.

What Do You Tell Individuals Worried About Their Clearance?

Resolution of security clearance issues varies on a case-by-case basis. There is no single answer for every situation.

I will almost always tell an individual to disclose the pending case to their clearance authority. I will tell an individual to keep their clearance authority appraised on the progress of the case. I will then counsel the individual on what the likely outcomes are for their clearance based on the potential resolution of their criminal charge.