Can I Join the Military / Army / Navy / Air Force / Marines / National Guard / Coast Guard with a Criminal Record, current/pending Criminal charges or an active Personal Protection Order (PPO)?
Unfortunately, having a criminal record, pending criminal charges or an active PPO could disqualify you from military service. Each branch requires applicants to meet rigorous moral character standards. At some point in the process of joining any one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, you will be interviewed and required to write down any arrests, charges, juvenile court adjudications, traffic violations, probation periods, and dismissed or pending charges or convictions, including those that have been expunged or sealed.
Our attorneys have helped numerous clients facilitate their transition into the armed forces despite initial hold ups because of a criminal record, pending criminal charges or an active PPO. So should an expungment be necessary (for more information, click here), should a PPO need to be removed (for more information), or should you need legal counsel to deal with pending criminal charges call Garmo & Kiste, PLC at (248) 398-7100 or contact us with a private message.
Offenses/Moral Behavior Which Could Be Waived:
Minor Traffic Offenses. A civil court conviction or other adverse dispositions for six or more minor traffic offenses where the fine was $250 or more per offense.
Minor Non-Traffic Offenses. Received four or more civil convictions or other adverse dispositions for minor non-traffic offenses.
Misdemeanor Offenses. Those with two, three, or four, civil convictions or other adverse dispositions for what the Army considers to be a misdemeanor offense require a waiver. Waivers are not authorized for individuals with more than four civil convictions or other adverse dispositions for misdemeanor offenses.
Combinations. Received a total of four civil convictions or other adverse dispositions for a combination of minor non-traffic and misdemeanor (for example, 1 misdemeanor and 3 minor non-traffic).
Serious Offense. Any conviction or adverse disposition for what the Army considers a felony, requires a waiver.
Are you dealing with pending criminal charges? Don’t hesitate to call one of Garmo & Kiste, PLC’s attorneys at (248) 398-7100 or contact us with a private message. Your future and career could depend on it.
Are you a Canadian Citizen or Resident Charged with a Drunk Driving / DUI / OWI or other alcohol related driving offense here in Michigan?
Canadian citizens and nationals living in the province of Ontario beware that if you are convicted of Drunk Driving / OWI / OWVI here in Michigan, will be punished twice if the right steps are not taken. Michigan and Ontario maintain a treaty that requires sharing driver’s license information even though Treaties by a state and a foreign nation are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution; the treaty utilizes a little known exception to the U.S. Constitution concerning Drunk Driving / OWI / OWVI. Section 42.1 of Ontario’s Highway traffic act maintains certain New York and Michigan convictions carrying mandatory suspension of your Canadian license where the conviction itself would not cause an American in the same circumstances to lose his or her license. The ramification of a conviction for a Canadian citizen who works in the United States can be even worse. Though it carries few immigration consequences, the same as U.S. citizens with Drunk Driving / OWI / OWVI cannot freely travel to Canada. A Canadian citizen with a Drunk Driving / OWI / OWVI cannot freely travel to the US.
Below we have included a list of all Michigan laws which carry a mandatory suspension of your Canadian license.
- Failure to stop at the scene of an accident involving injury or death of a person, under Michigan Compiled Law, Sections 257.617 and 257.617a.
- Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by or under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, or a combination of them, under Michigan Compiled Law, Section 257.625 (3).
- Operation of a motor vehicle with over .08 grams or more of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, per 210 litres of breath or per 67 millilitres of urine, under Michigan Compiled Law, Section 625 (1) (b).
- Refusal to provide a chemical breath analysis, under Michigan Compiled Law, Section 257.625a.
- Operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, controlled substance or a combination of them, causing serious impairment to a person, under Michigan Compiled Law, Section 257.625(5).
- Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by or under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, or a combination of them, under Michigan Compiled Law, Section 257.625 (4).
See also, http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_930037_e.htm
Are you a Canadian Citizen or Resident arrested on suspicion of a Drunk Driving / OWI / OWVI here in Michigan? We know the law and have helped other Canadians keep their license and avoid additional punishments (such as being unable to travel into the US) where other attorneys have not. To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation.
