Expert: Rod Powers - 10/15/2007

Question
Right after I graduated from High School my friend and I took items from open cars. We were really stupid. We confessed to everything and I accepted a plea agreement. My plea agreement was that I would pay restitution and be on probation until all the restitution was paid. Adjudication was withheld on all charges. My attorney said I am not legally convicted of a felony. That was six years ago.

Answer
Hi John,

While you may not have a felony conviction, you do have an "adverse adjudication" for a criminal offense. The fact that you were required to pay restitution, and were under a period of probation constitutes an "adverse adjudication."

You didn't say which Military service you were interested in joining? Each of the services have their own standards on whether or not a particular criminal offense requires a waiver. You can read about them at:

Army (this includes active duty Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves): http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyjoin/a/criminal.htm

Air Force (includes Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve): http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/criminal.htm

Marine Corps (includes Marine Corps Reserve): http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blusmccriminal.htm

Navy (includes Navy Reserve): http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navyjoin/a/navcrime.htm

Again, you didn't say which branch of service you are interested in joining. You may be interested in my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/waiverdetails.htm

As you can see, your best bet would be the Army, who are approving almost twice as many criminal history waivers lately as they did in 2003. The Air Force and Navy are approving slighly less criminal history waivers these days as they did in 2003, and the Marine Corps, slightly more.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com