DUI in the military is a significantly different arena of law than traditional, civilian drinking and driving cases. If a dui in the military occurs overseas, and is caught by local law enforcement, the host country has the option to prosecute the charges or turn the defendant over to a military tribunal. In any case, army dui and navy drunk driving arrests will result in a military trial hearing. In a military trial, enlisted personnel are not held to the same standards as civilians, and in reality, the standards for army dui or navy drunk driving convictions are based solely on the military tribunal’s decision. DUI convictions for military personnel are effective career enders for most individuals, regardless of rank. Therefore, having an attorney present, with extensive understanding of military law and drunk driving cases, is essential.
Punishments for DUI Convictions of Military Personnel
Military personnel charged with drinking and driving must first deal with the legal system of the host country where they are stationed. From there, offenders will undergo a military trial in front of their peers and officers, which will determine the outcome of their case. Traditionally, dui convictions for service members effectively end their military careers. Punishments include loss of rank, loss of pay, dishonorable discharge, loss of benefits, fines, fees, incarceration, and community service. This may be in addition to existing criminal penalties they face in the host country as well. Clearly, persons in the military facing drunk driving arrests face significant damages if convicted. Having an attorney represent their case, however, is not typically sufficient, as military courts operate in a manner significantly different from traditional civilian courts. Using a military dui attorney is a soldier or sailor’s best chance at preventing career-ending damages or discharge from military service stemming from DUI arrests.
Getting Legal Help from Navy DUI Attorneys
Navy DUI attorneys must be well informed about the existing rules and protocol involved in military courts. Additionally, experience and success with trying DUI cases is beneficial. As a defendant in a military DUI case, the time to prepare for a dui case is significantly shorter than traditional civilian courts, and in turn, many motions and other attempts to slow court proceedings used in civilian courts simply are not applicable. Therefore, consulting with a military dui attorney immediately is always in a defendant’s best interest.
