Security Clearances

Background checks and security clearances are a common practice used by employers before hiring or promoting employees and potential employees. Most background checks involve an investigative search that reveals information about a particular individual. This information could include credit history, criminal history, addresses, birth, education, military service, family members, and other recorded information.

The amount of information revealed depends on the search. However, background checks will reveal an individual’s criminal history, and that is largely the piece of information that is the basis of the employer’s search. Further, a security clearance check involves a search of an individual’s criminal record, immigration status, and verification of identity, which is used to evaluate an individual’s integrity and trustworthiness.

Background Checks

Generally, a security clearance is required for those that are employed by the government and will be exposed to national security or secret information during the course of their employment. Those that are exposed to this information must be cleared through a background check, which is used as evidence of that person’s trustworthiness to be trusted with sensitive information. The most typical red flags during a security clearance check include convictions that could carry penalties of a year of incarceration or longer, dishonorable discharges, and substance abuse and addiction.

DUIs and Security Clearances

Whether or not a DUI will cause issues with security clearances depends on the occupation or the context that requires the security clearances. For example, a DUI could seriously jeopardize security clearance for those in the military.

Although a DUI will not automatically prevent a military member from obtaining and maintaining security clearance, the agency granting security clearances will be concerned with that person’s possible issues with substance abuse and trustworthiness, and it may be more difficult for that person to obtain and maintain security clearance, even if it is not an automatic disqualification. In many fields of employment, a single DUI is not likely to cause issues with security clearances, especially if it is an isolated issue and that person has otherwise shown that they are a trustworthy person.

A background check is typically performed on potential new employees by employers to gain an understanding of who the potential employee is, whether they are a trustworthy person, and if their history is the same as they portray it to be. These checks are performed by employers even when the work is not related to the government or national security.

A DUI charge or any other criminal charge will appear on background checks performed by employers. Many employers will require the potential employee to consent to a background check before being considered for the position. Background checks are also used by landlords when considering renting to new tenants. Typically background checks that reveal a person’s DUI will not be completely detrimental to that person being considered for employment or housing. However, this depends on the employment and the individual requiring the background check. Typically, more serious charges or charges that indicate a lack of trustworthiness, like violence or stealing, are more of a red flag for background checks.

Getting Help

If you have been charged with a DUI in Connecticut and are concerned with your security clearance or background check, you will need an attorney who understands these consequences and will fight for you. Contact Lady DUI today to speak with an attorney today.