Taimoor Rana is seasoned criminal defense attorney specializing in DUI related cases. He shares his expert legal opinion here « DUI while serving in Armed Forces
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- The process and penalties in civilian charge while arrested in DUI is different from the charge if you are serving in armed forces. Some important differences are mentioned below in the cases of military DUI charge
Intoxication limit
If you are caught in DUI the military court is not under any obligation to charge under state’s legal limit. The legal states limit of alcohol in blood may not be reached and it can be declared as criminal act as the military court may feel that this level can make weaken your capacity while driving any means of transportation. 
So you can face the military DUI charge even when your blood alcohol level is lower than the allowed limit under state’s law.
Trial under Military DUI arrest
Military court will go for trial contrasting civilian court. In this case you will need a lawyer who is well aware of military law and military DUI arrest cases. So it is advisable to arrange a lawyer for you as early as possible, as the military court cases move at faster pace unlike civilian court cases which took long period of time in decision. This is also different as in civilian court the accused arrested has the right to hire the services of defense council.
Verdicts in military DUI arrest
Vide variety of punishments can be seen in military DUI arrest if one studies their case laws. These punishments are different as in the cases of civilian DUI arrest. Some two three months jail, society service, security clearance loss, cancellation of driving license, some small fines are the most common punishments in the DUI civilian arrest cases. Military court punishments are different as the court does not have any restriction of DUI sentence. It may lead to reduction in rank i.e. demotion, dishonorable discharge, pay deduction. Military court also sometimes charges the accused with some fine, loss of security clearance and detention etc.
Military DUI’s impact on career
Military DUI can have serious effects on your career. Your military career may end permanently if you are punished with dishonorable discharge. If the punishment is not that much severe then it may lead to the demotion or reduction in scale of you job. Above all this will be endorsed in your service record.
So if you face a military DUI arrest, hire an experienced lawyer who is adept in these cases and can help you to avoid the serious consequences thereafter.
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One commentto “DUI while serving in Armed Forces”
yikes, I thought it would have been the exact opposite in the military, but apparently they are far more serious about DUI.