For many professionals in the Annapolis area—especially those working at Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Fort Meade, or with federal contractors—a security clearance is essential for employment. But one arrest or conviction can put that clearance in jeopardy, threatening not just your current job but your entire career trajectory.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we defend clients in Annapolis and throughout Anne Arundel County whose security clearances are at risk due to criminal allegations. With former prosecutor Christian Hartman on your side, you get a defense strategy informed by how both state courts and federal clearance adjudicators evaluate these cases.
How Security Clearance Evaluations Work
Security clearances are governed by federal standards, primarily the Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information.
When someone with a clearance is arrested, the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF) or another federal agency may launch a review to determine whether the person still meets eligibility requirements.
Factors considered include:
- Nature and seriousness of the offense
- Recency of the conduct
- Evidence of rehabilitation or corrective action
- Potential for coercion or exploitation
Even without a conviction, credible allegations can trigger a suspension or revocation.
Common Criminal Charges That Threaten Security Clearances
While any criminal conduct can raise concerns, certain charges are particularly damaging because they involve issues of judgment, reliability, or personal conduct.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence charges—even misdemeanor ones—can impact clearance because they raise concerns about stability, impulse control, and potential risk to others. Under the Lautenberg Amendment, a conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence can also bar you from possessing firearms, which may be essential for some positions.
Child Pornography or Sexual Offenses
These charges carry severe penalties under both Maryland and federal law, and they directly implicate personal conduct guidelines for clearance. Even an arrest without conviction can lead to lengthy investigations and loss of clearance.
Drug Offenses
Illegal drug use or possession, including certain prescription drug misuse, raises immediate concerns under Guideline H: Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse. Manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking charges carry even greater risks, as they suggest criminal association and disregard for federal law.
Alcohol-Related Offenses
Multiple DUIs or a DUI involving aggravating circumstances (such as an accident or high BAC) can trigger clearance reviews, especially if they suggest ongoing substance abuse issues.
Fraud and Financial Crimes
Theft, embezzlement, and fraud charges raise concerns under Guideline F: Financial Considerations, as they can indicate vulnerability to coercion or lack of trustworthiness.
Why Even an Arrest Can Trigger Clearance Problems
Unlike in criminal court, where you are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the clearance process uses a “whole person” concept. This means they can consider credible allegations, patterns of behavior, or even off-duty conduct that never resulted in a conviction.
In some cases, the clearance suspension happens before your criminal case is resolved. That makes swift legal action critical.
Defense Strategies for Protecting Your Clearance
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we focus on defending both your criminal record and your professional future. Our strategies may include:
- Challenging the charges directly in criminal court to secure a dismissal, acquittal, or reduced charge
- Negotiating for outcomes that are less damaging to clearance eligibility (such as Probation Before Judgment or diversion programs)
- Coordinating with security clearance attorneys to ensure your criminal defense strategy supports your clearance defense
- Gathering evidence of good character, rehabilitation, and reliability to present during the clearance review process
Why Choose Hartman Attorneys at Law?
With Attorney Christian Hartman’s background as a former prosecutor, we understand how government agencies assess criminal conduct and how to dismantle the state’s case against you. We offer:
- Direct attorney access and 24/7 availability for urgent legal concerns
- Aggressive courtroom defense to protect your record
- Strategic guidance tailored to the unique requirements of clearance holders in Annapolis and beyond
Protect Your Career and Clearance. Act Now.
If your security clearance is at risk due to an arrest or criminal investigation, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A conviction can end your career, but even a wrong plea deal can have lasting consequences.
Contact Hartman Attorneys at Law today. We’ll fight to protect your rights, your record, and your future.