Will My Dismissed Case Affect My Future?

[courtneysarah07]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: WA and CA (I did the act in WA, but now live in CA)


I want to join the Coast Guard but I'm afraid I will be denied clearance of the "Secret Security Clearance" they have to give me for the job I want.

When I lived in WA, I was 18 and I walked out of a store in the mall with a blanket in my right arm. I wasn't thinking about a thing. I was on my way to another store when security guards stopped me and escorted me back to the store I took the blanket from. I was scared out of my mind. This type of behavior is not like me. I had to talk to some security guards and one police officer, they had me sign a paper which banned me from the mall for 3 years, I had to pay a $140 fine, and then I had to go to court. My attorney said that he would give me a one-time break, and the case was dismissed with prejudice. I didn't have to say a word in court. So where does that leave me now? A year has passed, and I want to join the Coast Guard. They will require a Secret Security Clearance, but I'm not sure if I'll pass. Does anyone have any idea where this leaves me now?

Also, two of my teachers - a Retired Lt. Col. for the Air Force (my AFJROTC teacher), and my math teacher - each wrote a letter for me to give the court that basically said I wasn't that kind of person to steal anything. But that doesn't matter, because I found myself online a few days ago with a big "THEFT" next to my name. I thought it wouldn't show up anywhere. If I can find it myself, won't the Coast Guard deny me? Any help is so appreciated.

[Devils_Advocate]

Is that an arrest record you saw? The disposition is the more important part. Lots of people get arrested. The military is usually not too picky. Might affect you if you want to be an officer of some sort, but I understand there are high ranking officials with light records. You may be eligible for expungement, look into it.

[LawResearcherMissy]

Read this page, and ALL of the linked pages.

It's my understanding that you'll have to obtain a waiver. Speak to your local recruiter about the requirements for a waiver.