Defending Military Members, Professionals, and Students: Protecting Your Career and Future

When Your Livelihood is on the Line: Specialized Defense for Those With the Most to Lose

For military members, licensed professionals, and students, a criminal accusation carries consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom. A single charge—even a misdemeanor—can jeopardize a hard-earned career, threaten a professional license, derail educational opportunities, and trigger separate disciplinary proceedings that can end your livelihood before a verdict is ever reached. At Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we specialize in defending clients who face this dual threat: the standard criminal justice system and a parallel administrative or professional oversight system. We understand that for you, the stakes are not just about fines or jail time; they are about your commission, your license, your security clearance, and your future.

The justice system often treats all defendants uniformly, but the collateral consequences are anything but equal. A DWI for a civilian may result in a fine and probation, but for a pilot, nurse, or officer, it can mean permanent grounding, license revocation, or a dishonorable discharge. Our attorneys are not only skilled criminal defense litigators; we are strategic advisors who develop comprehensive defense plans designed to protect both your personal liberty and your professional standing from the moment you contact us.

The Unique Threats Faced by Military, Professional, and Student Clients

For Military Members: Facing the UCMJ and Civilian Courts

Service members operate under two systems of law: civilian and military. You can be prosecuted in both for the same alleged offense—a concept known as “double jeopardy” that does not apply between sovereigns. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) imposes its own strict standards of conduct and severe penalties.

• UCMJ Charges: Offenses like Article 92 (Failure to Obey an Order), Article 128 (Assault), and Article 134 (General Article for “conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline”) can lead to court-martial, loss of rank, forfeiture of pay, confinement, and a punitive discharge (e.g., Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge).
• Collateral Consequences: A conviction, even in civilian court, can be reported to your command and trigger administrative separation proceedings. Most critically, it can result in the loss of VA benefits, GI Bill eligibility, and your military pension. We work to resolve civilian cases in a way that minimizes the back-end military consequences and provide representation or strategic guidance for related administrative hearings.

For Licensed Professionals: Protecting Your Career and Reputation

Doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, teachers, pilots, and realtors have invested years and significant resources into building their careers. A criminal charge triggers mandatory reporting requirements to state licensing boards, which operate under a separate set of rules focused on “moral character” and public safety.

• Immediate Reporting Obligations: Most professional licenses require you to self-report an arrest or conviction within a very short timeframe. Failure to report is itself grounds for discipline.
• Licensing Board Investigations: An arrest initiates an independent board investigation that can result in suspension, probation, mandated treatment, or permanent revocation of your license—your ability to work. We help you navigate the mandatory reporting process and develop a coordinated strategy to address both the criminal case and the impending board inquiry, often engaging with board attorneys proactively to protect your license.

For Students: Safeguarding Your Educational Investment

College and graduate students face immense pressure. An arrest can lead to immediate suspension from school, expulsion from university housing, loss of scholarships or financial aid, and rejection from future academic programs.

• University Discipline Proceedings: Colleges conduct their own internal disciplinary hearings, which operate with a lower burden of proof than a criminal court (“preponderance of the evidence” vs. “beyond a reasonable doubt”). You can be found “responsible” by the school and face severe sanctions even if the criminal case is dismissed.
• Impact on Financial Aid and Scholarships: Drug convictions, in particular, can make you ineligible for federal student aid (FAFSA). We provide representation in student conduct hearings and work to secure criminal case outcomes that preserve your educational record and funding.

The Barton & Associates Dual-Track Defense Strategy

We implement a proactive, two-front defense from day one, recognizing that winning in criminal court is only half the battle.

Track One: Aggressive Criminal Defense

Our first priority is to achieve the best possible outcome in your criminal case, as this forms the foundation for everything else. We employ all standard defense strategies—challenging evidence, filing suppression motions, negotiating with prosecutors—with the added focus of securing a disposition that is least harmful to your career. This often means fighting for:

• Diversion Programs or Deferred Adjudication: Outcomes that allow for a eventual dismissal or non-disclosure of records.
• Reductions to Lesser Charges: Negotiating a felony down to a misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor to a violation, can make the difference between keeping or losing a license.
• Expunctions or Nondisclosure Orders: Planning from the outset for how to seal or destroy the record of your arrest once legally permissible.

Track Two: Proactive Career and Administrative Defense

Simultaneously, we prepare for the professional repercussions.

• Strategic Counseling on Self-Reporting: We advise you on when and how to report the charge to your command, licensing board, or school to fulfill obligations while minimizing damage.
• Representation in Administrative Hearings: We represent you directly in military administrative separation boards (BOIs, ADSEP boards), state licensing board hearings, or university conduct meetings.
• Developing Mitigation Packages: We help compile evidence of your character, rehabilitation, and professional contributions to present to decision-makers, arguing that your continued service or licensure does not pose a risk.

Common Case Types With Heightened Consequences

Our firm has extensive experience defending the specific charges that most threaten our clients’ specialized status:

• DWI / DUI: Catastrophic for pilots, commercial drivers, military personnel, and medical professionals. We challenge the stop and the science to protect your driving privileges and your professional standing.
• Drug Crimes: Even simple possession can end a security clearance, a military career, or a healthcare license. We pursue diversion and dismissal options aggressively.
• Assault / Domestic Violence: These charges are viewed as particularly serious for those in positions of trust (teachers, healthcare workers) and for military members subject to the UCMJ. We investigate claims of self-defense or false allegations thoroughly.
• Theft and Fraud Crimes: Crimes of “moral turpitude” are red flags for licensing boards and military commands, as they call integrity into question.

Why Barton & Associates is the Right Choice for Your Specialized Defense

• Experience With Dual Systems: We have a proven track record of navigating the intersection of criminal law and administrative law. We understand the language, procedures, and culture of military commands, licensing boards, and academic institutions.
• A Focus on Long-Term Outcomes: We don’t just look at the next court date; we develop a multi-year strategy aimed at preserving your career trajectory and earning potential.
• Discretion and Sensitivity: We handle every case with the utmost confidentiality, understanding the heightened anxiety and reputational concerns our clients face.
• Comprehensive Resource Network: We maintain relationships with forensic experts, treatment providers, and character witnesses who can be invaluable in building mitigation cases for administrative proceedings.

Take Immediate Action to Protect Your Career and Future

Time is of the essence. Reporting deadlines are short, and licensing boards often move quickly. Early intervention is critical to controlling the narrative and protecting your rights in both arenas.

Do not speak to investigators, command officials, or board representatives without consulting an attorney. Anything you say can be used against you in both the criminal and administrative case.

Contact Barton & Associates today for a confidential and urgent consultation. Explain your professional or military status from the outset. Call our San Antonio office directly at 210-500-0000. We will immediately assess the dual threats you face and begin crafting the coordinated defense strategy necessary to protect both your freedom and your life’s work. Your career is worth defending.

Main Category: Criminal Defense
Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law
115 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Office: 210-500-0000