Nothing is more honorable than joining our armed forces. If you are someone who wants to join the military, but you’ve either recently received a DUI or you have a DUI on your record, you may wonder whether this will prevent you from doing so. Please continue reading and reach out to a competent Allegheny County DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of George Heym to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Will a DUI prevent me from joining the military?
Though the answer to this question isn’t exactly a simple yes or no, the military’s official stance is that if you have a DUI on your record, they will not allow you to join any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. This is for a few reasons. To start, the military does not wish to accept anyone who may potentially have a substance abuse problem. Additionally, the license suspension you may receive as a result of your DUI may affect your suitability for military service. Further, if you have a criminal record, it may be difficult to obtain certain security clearances when necessary.
Are there any exceptions?
Though the United States military has what is essentially a no-DUI policy, there are certain cases where they may still accept you, such as if you can obtain a DUI waiver. In some cases, if you’ve completed all facets of your sentence, your DUI wasn’t a felony, and you didn’t injure anyone during your commission of the DUI, you may be able to get a DUI waiver.
If you’ve already been convicted of a DUI, then getting a waiver is likely your best bet when looking to join the military. However, if you’ve yet to be convicted, there is still hope. If you’re facing DUI charges, the most important thing you can do is retain the services of a seasoned DUI attorney who can help fight those charges at every turn.
Depending on the circumstance of your arrest and the specific charges you are facing, we may have the penalties significantly reduced, or, in the best cases, dropped altogether. For example, if we can prove that the breathalyzer test was defective or improperly conducted, or your rights were violated by the arresting officer, there’s a strong likelihood that your charges may be dismissed.
If you have any additional questions or you need an attorney to effectively defend you, please don’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of George Heym. Our firm is prepared to fight for you, every step of the way.
