Getting a DUI or DWI charge is always trouble, but what consequences happen can be more so when you are in the army or other military branch. Being in the military, you are subject to military law over civilian law, even when stopped for a DUI. Not only will you face fines and penalties, you may find your career in jeopardy.
It is important to realize that regardless of the state you are in when you are arrested for a DUI violation, the standards you will be held to are actually military laws. The fines and penalties may actually be in line with state fines and penalties, but you have the added consequence of a possible court martial. The severe consequences that happens fast for a DUI or DWI in the Army, is all the more reason to find the best way how to beat a DUI that is arrest-specific to your own case circumstances.
Unlike civilians, military personnel will not find it useful to plead out and accept the minimal fines and penalties because of the added repercussions of a DUI conviction. If court-martialed, you may find that you are facing jail time, reduction in rank, or even a dishonorable discharge. Realistically, if you want to avoid your career path being obstructed, you need to fight the charges in an effort to have them outright dismissed.
Even though the case will be held in military court, you are allowed to have a civilian attorney assist with the case. The challenge here would be to find a top civilian attorney nearby that is knowledgeable in 2023 military DUI law. Ideally, your attorney will have served in the JAG office, but this is not absolutely necessary, as long as he or she has experience with military law.
If you are not yet in the military but are planning a career in the Army or some other service branch, know that a conviction can be just as damaging to your future. If you have been arrested, the military may now find you less desirable as an applicant and block you from joining the Army or any other branch of the service.
This is also something that cannot be hidden from the military. What happens is, the Army will run a background check on any new candidate as well as running periodic background checks on existing personnel, especially when an upgraded security clearance is requested. Even if you are able to get a waiver from the recruiter or are not dismissed from the service, you may find yourself unable to get promoted due to “questionable moral character” or the inability to obtain a higher security clearance (if the promotion requires a level of clearance you are now ineligible for).
Please take advantage of our free online DUI arrest review so we can provide you with case-specific defense options and legal advice how to beat a DUI in the Army before a dishonorable discharge possibility ever happens. A special diversion may apply for military personnel if expert DUI legal help is obtained early on after an arrest happens.
DUI, DWI in the Army 2023 Law Additional Resources:
https://www.army.mil/article/220146/a_2cr_initiative_no_dui_saber_program
https://www.army.mil/article/165772/How_a_DUI_forever_changed_a_local_Soldier_s_career
Taryn J. White is a legal research specialist and DUI law news reporter. Her current accomplishments include helping those facing any driving under the influence arrest charges, get free online assistance in learning how to fight a DUI case for the best possible outcome.
