The decision to drive while intoxicated can carry significant consequences regardless of where the offense occurred. However, if a member of the military is pulled over on base, such as Fort Bragg, they will not only face immediate military administrative sanctions but federal charges as well. This means servicemembers can expect to appear in federal court which could jeopardize their military career. Military personnel can help minimize the impact by finding legal counsel from attorneys who possess thorough knowledge of both the federal court and military systems.
The immediate process after arrest
After the police perform routine sobriety tests and make their decision to arrest, a servicemember will be compelled to appear in court in front of a magistrate judge. The accused military member will learn of the charges being placed against them and can expect to have their on-base driving privileges revoked. The State of North Carolina will also suspend a servicemember’s civilian license for a period of 30 days. Once the civilian license suspension has been fulfilled, military personnel will still be incapable of driving on Fort Bragg. If found guilty of a DWI, the military member could face the following: supervised probation, community service, monetary sanctions, suspension of their license, and be required to undergo an alcohol assessment.
Military consequences and sanctions
Beyond the civilian consequences, servicemembers could additionally face non-judicial punishments or other adverse consequences from their commanding officer. Convicted military personnel may see a bar to reenlistment, administrative separation, or written reprimands. In some cases, a DWI could result in the loss of a security clearance.
The path forward after being charged
Serious criminal accusations can impact every part of a servicemember’s life, from their driving privileges to their military career and legacy. A local attorney with an understanding of both civilian and military legal systems can pave a path forward to help military personnel protect their freedoms and reduce the impact on their military career.