Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Text Messages to My Spouse Admissible Evidence in a Criminal Trial?
If you watch enough television courtroom dramas, you have probably heard about the concept of “spousal privilege,” i.e., the idea that one spouse cannot be compelled to testify against the other in a criminal trial. In reality, spousal privilege actually takes two forms. The first is what is described above, which is known as… Read More »
What Is the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?
A key concept when it comes to understanding estate and succession planning is the difference between probate and non-probate assets. Basically, a probate asset is something that passes under the terms of your last will and testament. Now, you might think that everything you own is a probate asset, but in many cases that… Read More »
Failing to Pay Your Taxes on Time Can Cost You Your Security Clearance
Many Americans find themselves in a financial pinch where they cannot pay their taxes on-time. If you work in a normal job, this may not be a big deal; you simply pay the additional penalties and interest and go on with your life. But if you work in a position that requires a federal… Read More »
How Your Sexual History Can Affect Your Security Clearance
When the Department of Defense reviews an application for a security clearance in Maryland, it does not just examine the applicant’s professional history. The government also looks deep into the applicant’s personal history, including his or her “sexual behavior.” This includes sexual behavior where a criminal offense occurs, such as prostitution, but it also… Read More »
Does a Negative Job Reference on a Security Clearance Application Constitute “Defamation”?
Obtaining a security clearance is often a stressful process. Even the slightest blemish on your record, or question about your character, may raise suspicions and ultimately lead to the denial (or revocation) of a clearance. For these reasons, it is important to ensure that you maintain a good work history and employment record. Maryland… Read More »
Can Unresolved Financial Issues from My Divorce Impact My Security Clearance?
Delinquent debts are frequently cited as a reason by government agencies to deny or revoke a security clearance. The source of the debt is less important than identifying what positive steps the security clearance applicant took to “mitigate” any security concerns raised by his or her financial problems. This means that if your job… Read More »
Could My Social Drinking Affect My Security Clearance?
There are many personal vices or habits that can make it more difficult to obtain a security clearance. For example, under Department of Defense (DOD) guidelines, a person’s “excessive alcohol consumption” may be cited as grounds to deny a security clearance, as such drinking “often leads to the exercise of questionable judgment or the… Read More »
I Forgot to File My Tax Return. Will This Hurt My Ability to Get a Security Clearance?
One of the major reasons individuals have difficulty obtaining or retaining a security clearance is what the Department of Defense (DOD) labels “financial considerations.” Typically, this involves situations where the applicant has a lot of outstanding debts. If you have trouble paying your bills on-time, the DOD sees that as a sign that you… Read More »
Does My Country of Birth Matter When It Comes to Getting a Security Clearance?
When it comes to everyday civilian employment, the country of your birth is largely irrelevant. Indeed, federal civil rights laws prohibit most employers from denying you a job on the basis of national origin. But for military and defense contractor positions that require a security clearance, that is not the case. One of the… Read More »
Could Medical Debts Cost Me a Security Clearance?
We have all heard horror stories about medical debt destroying a family’s finances. The U.S. spends more per person on healthcare than any developed nation on earth. And even with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, medical debt still forces thousands of Americans to seek bankruptcy protection every year. Medical debt can also… Read More »
