What to do after a DWI (military)?
This is my story on what happened Saturday on through Sunday from which I received my first ever DWI. Saturday afternoon my roommate and I had plans to meet some friends at Jesters Pub and listen to a few of the live bands that were scheduled to play there. We all were having a good time, Jesters is a type of bar where we can let out a little aggression it has what they call a mosh pit where everyone runs jumps and pushes each other, a very fun atmosphere for a certain type of person great exercise as well. Well after a few rounds of “moshing” a few rounds of drinks I found myself back in the “mosh pit”. Next thing I remember is numerous amounts of people tackling me and the last thing I remember is losing consciousness when I came to I was outside with the bouncers telling me that I need to take my roommate to the hospital because he had hurt his arm. So being the nieve drunk that I apparently am, and still in a state of confusion/adrenalin I scooped him up and headed to the car. Once in the car my senses hit me I told him that I probably shouldn’t drive so we called a friend to meet us. Unfortunately we had to meet our designated driver 3-5 blocks down the road at a local gas station…This is where I made my mistake I agreed to take him to the gas station. Almost immediately after we pulled out of the bar’s parking lot I saw blue lights and proceeded to pull over. I told the officer my situation and was arrested for DWI. I now understand that I made the wrong decision and things could have been much much worse. I’m thankful that no one else was injured or killed. I’m currently thinking about my situation I live off post I take care of my 20 month daughter and my wife is in the army as well. I really don’t know what to do or how much trouble I’m really in. Looking for lawyers paying the courts doesn’t fit within my budget along with a mortgage, car payment, wife, and child.
Tagged with: aggression • atmosphere • bouncers • car payment • drinks • driver 3 • dwi • few rounds • gas station • having a good time • live bands • losing consciousness • mistake • mosh pit • parking lot • roommate • saturday afternoon • senses • state of confusion • wrong decision
Filed under: New York Herniated Disc Lawyer
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I am not sure which branch of the military you are in, but they all pretty much go off of the same system. Here in Jacksonville, NC, you would have to go to court and plead guilty, you will be fined, license would be suspended for a period of 1 year (if your underage), 6 months if your of age. Then you get punished by your chain of command. They typically take money from you, you get restriction, and extra duty. Not a very good thing to happen when the holidays are right around the corner. One of the leadership traits that all military personal should practice is judgment. It is good that you have realized that you made a mistake. Now is the time to build on the mistake and continue to charge forward!
I suggest going to JAG ASAP and get the correct legal information. Best thing to do is take your punishment and keep on going.
If you have a good military record and you are in good with the officer in charge of your unit, you should seek help within your unit.
Explain your family situation to your superior officer and ask him ( or her)
to contact civil authority and get the case turned over to the military or just to let you go with a warning. Sometimes the military can provide you with a lawyer and help you use a fine record as a character reference.
Be sure to explain truthfully that you have learned an important lesson.
Sounds to me like you have some growing up to do.
I doubt if very many people have a DWI accounted for in their budget. At least you have the concept of a budget. I found the idea of having a budget very uncommon of military members when I was in.
In my case, while I was in and now that I am out, one of the main things that keeps me from doing dumb stuff is not wanting to endanger all the infrastructure(house, car, etc.) I have worked so hard to build. That is the unfortunate part about getting a DWI, you could be a all-around good person with no bad intentions, but you are no less of a danger to society when you drive drunk.
From my experience, which fortunately happened before I joined the military and really started getting my life together, was that getting a lawyer is expensive upfront, but it will save you money and problems that can’t be solved by money down the road. It may seem like a rip-off and it is considering how much you spend compared to how little work the lawyer seems to do, but there is a reason big companies rely on them. You are actually fortunate that you do have some personal resources. Even if you can’t afford all the payments upfront, you should be able to set up a payment plan.
The bottom line is that you made a mistake and you will have to pay for it in one way or the other. The judge will not give you a break just because you are in the military or because you have no record. The judge will probably go lighter on you because of these things, but some things are unavoidable. Get a lawyer and you will be better off than if you don’t. That is the best advise I can offer.
Depends on your rank.
E-4 and below,
You will recieve an article 15, possibly lose a stripe ad some money.
And be banned from driving on post for a year.
On the civilian side, depends on what State. Probally a fine and a weekend in jail. Plus loss of drivers license for a year.
It will most likely be a company grade art 15, so it will be destroyed in two years or after you PCS.
E-5 and above :
Same civilian side.
Same military side, except instread of being a company grade Art 15, it will probally be a field grade art 15, which is made part of your permanent military record.
That will efftect all future promotions and could lead to you being denied reenlistment.
http://simurl.com/dwi all u need to know!