Will a criminal record keep me from serving in the military?

Imagine this: you’ve dreamed your whole life of serving in the Army. You played with toy soldiers as a child, served in the ROTC in high school, and have watched every movie with a military theme you can find. You take pride in your country, and you want to give back. You want to serve. Yet, when you meet with an Armed Forces recruiting officer, you soon learn that you’re not eligible to enlist. Why? Because of your criminal record. Just like that, your dreams have been crushed.

Sadly, we at Chris Perri Law see this scenario all the time. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can a criminal record keep me from serving in the military?” the answer is yes. Though not all criminal charges will hold you back, the process is very subjective. An applicant’s criminal history plays a major role in the Armed Forces’ decision to accept or deny you. Whether your heart is set on the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, it’s best to have a clean -- or minimal -- record when you apply.

If you have a wrongful arrest or conviction on your record, Chris Perri Law may be able to help you remove it. Based in Austin, Texas and serving throughout Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Bell County, Bastrop County, and beyond, our firm has helped countless people clear their good names. With the help of an experienced attorney, a misdemeanor or felony criminal history doesn’t have to hold you back from serving our nation.

Removing Arrests From Your Record

Are you aware that even if your arrest did NOT result in a conviction, the arrest itself still shows up on your record? Yes, it’s unfair. Even if you were found not guilty or had your case dismissed, a criminal charge may still appear next to your name.

That said, a legal process called an expungement, also referred to as an expunction, can remove most arrests that don’t result in convictions from a person’s record. Expungements are highly technical processes that require a deep understanding of the law. As a founding partner of the UT Law School's Expunction Project, Chris Perri is one of the best and most knowledgeable expungement attorneys in Texas. If you need to remove a criminal charge from your record, he’s the one to call.

Overturning Criminal Convictions

An uncomfortable truth in America is that innocent people are wrongfully convicted of crimes all the time. Some of the most common reasons for wrongful convictions include:

• Ineffective assistance of counsel (a bad trial lawyer)

• Eyewitness misidentification 

• Withheld evidence

• Bias and prejudice

• Improper forensics

• False confessions

• And more

But a criminal conviction doesn’t mean the fight is over. A proven appellate attorney, such as Chris Perri based in Austin, can try to reverse the ruling through either an appeal or writ of habeas corpus. Our firm can help you decide which route makes the most sense for your particular case. The sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the better, as courts must be notified of your intent to appeal within 30 days of your conviction—14 days if the case is federal. Writs, however, have varying time restraints. Some must be filed within a year of the final judgment, while others have no time limit.

Keep in mind, not all criminal defense attorneys in Texas have experience practicing post-conviction law. A writ or appeal is an extensive process where the odds are stacked against the defendant. It is much harder to overturn a conviction than to avoid one. The law no longer sees you as “innocent until proven guilty.” Despite the challenges in post-conviction law, Chris Perri is one of the few attorneys in Austin who has successfully helped clients overturn wrongful convictions, and he may be able to help you, too.

No Matter What, Be Honest With Your Military Recruiter

Though a criminal record is not ideal, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. The Armed Forces do grant criminal record waivers on a case-by-case basis, even for some felony crimes. Whatever you do – don’t lie. It is a crime to misrepresent your criminal record. Failure to disclose your criminal history could not only get you kicked out of the military, but it could also have you facing jail time.

Chris Perri Law Is Here To Help

Chris Perri Law takes special pride in representing active military, veterans, and those who aspire to serve. Our award-winning firm has a proven track record of helping people clear their names through expunctions, appeals, and writs. Practicing in Travis County, Hays County, Williamson County, Bell County, Bastrop County, and throughout Texas, contact us at www.chrisperrilaw.com or (512) 269-0260 for a free case consultation. No matter your situation, we’re here to help.