Potential Discharge From Military
Many people don't realize the severe consequences they can face when arrested for a DUI and serving in the military. The military has a standard that if you have any alcohol in your system and you can't safely operate a motor vehicle, then they're going to find that you are DUI.
Not only will you face the potential loss of your license and other penalties and punishments related to criminal conduct, but you're also looking at consequences related to your military service. In other words, you could be discharged from the military, and you could be punished related to your license as well. So, there's a whole host of penalties, and usually, the military will be harsher when it comes to these DUIs.
They don't want people who are unsafe and likely to drink alcohol and drive or operate any car, machinery, or anything with their employment. When you're in the military, you're obviously in a position where people's lives are in your hands, so you want to make sure that if you get one of these DUIs, you don't take it lightly and do everything you possibly can to get a good result.
Military Diversion Statute
If you're in the criminal court, I would suggest that you want a criminal defense attorney who practices in that court. But suppose, on the other hand, you're actually in a military court. In that case, you want to get an attorney who does military law and has experience with that, and understands the military diversion statute.
Often, you can be appointed somebody there, but that person's probably going to be a younger attorney who doesn't have a lot of experience.
Especially if you have a close case — you could win the case — you want to make sure you've got an attorney who knows how to fight, knows how to challenge the JAG prosecutors in a military court, and knows the ropes and the ins-and-out of that particular courthouse.
Because if they don't, they're going to lose, and you're going to lose severely because of all of the potential punishments.
Lawyer Familiar with Military DUI Cases
You could be facing a dishonorable discharge from the military under circumstances that will not be good for you. Also, you'll want to make sure that you protect your interests related to any criminal proceedings outside of the military because that affects your driving.
It could affect your liberty and several things that could give you penalties that interfere with your military service. So, if you've got a military DUI, you want to do your research, find an attorney who is familiar with these types of cases and knows how to get the best result.
