I think with the drawdown on numbers DUI is automatic discharge
LOR cannot result in imposition of punishment. Corrective training can be given, but "extra duty" is not an authorized punishment. (Also, technically, double jeopardy does not apply, as there are two different sovereigns involved- Federal and State).From what I have seen:
If it occured off base, and you are getting prosecuted offbase, a LOR is given with 30 days extra duty. (Double Jepordy)
A flag/bar to re-enlistment would likely be issued, but it would not stand on its own as a ultimate bar to re-enlistment absent further action once Art. 15 punishment is completed. Separation is not an outcome of Art. 15 (though, the underlying misconduct can be the basis of a separate administrative separation action).If on base, Article 15 UCMJ, not kicked out, but denied reenlistment.
As for "fighting it". I do not see PTSD being used justification. You won't be able to use it a mental defense. You drank, your ride left, you could have called a friend, safe ride, supervisor, first seregant, taxi, ect. Sounds like your ride who left was drinking also. Also if you had a ride, why was your car even there and your keys should have been taken from you. Leaving the scene is even worse, and must mean you caused damage- to person or property.
I can't go into depth here....there are way to many issues. But, for the dual action processing when misconduct is a factor, the issue is whether a condition/disability was a contributing cause of the misconduct. This is assuming that there is a finding of guilt or culpability in the first place. I get the instinct/analysis provided, but the legal issues are much more complicated than you suggest here. It is unknown if he made admissions of guilt or provided inculpatory statements, if there was a breathalyzer administered, what his degree of intoxication was, whether there was probable cause to arrest at the time he was arrested, and about a million other issues.
Not sure what you are asking about it affecting your VA rating. It shouldn't. But just being able to have friends, or being able to go out socially would not give you a 70-90% rating for PTSD or depression.
Ratings were already assigned, so there is no issue here. What he may or may not "deserve" has already been initially adjudicated.
I think with the drawdown on numbers DUI is automatic discharge
I don't think a command is going to go for the throat when you have had a stellar career up until this point. A commander has a lot of flexability when it comes to handing out punishment. There is no hard fast rule that says they have to give you a misconduct discharge. This to me, really breaks down into two stages.
There is no absolute rule on this....but, if the civilian authorities are prosecuting an offense that occurred off base, then most likely, the military will defer to the civilian authorities in punishing....now, in this Soldier's case this could be key...because, with the PEB finalization in the works, it is likely/probable that the civilian case can be deferred for a long time. Now, the question becomes not one of Art. 15, but if the command tries to initiate a separation action. Lots of moving parts here, but it is possible that there is a "threading of the needle" that works in the Soldier's favor (guilt/innocence/or proper disposition aside).First is the UCMJ punishment phase. This will fall under Article 110 and the commander will more than likely offer an Article 15. This Article 15 in itself normally would not carry punishment that results in a discharge unless it is directed by the base commanders policy. If the company commander, or battalion commander do the reading, chances are there will be a lot of flexability when it comes to punishment. Some base commanders do require all DUI offenses to come through their office, and that could be worse.
The second part of the equation is does the command want to go after a misconduct discharge? They can choose to pursue it or not. They have that leway with less serious offenses. The command could choose to give a General Letter of Repremand, or 45/45, or any other punishment deemed appropriate, and let the offense go. You don't see every soldier with a DUI get chaptered. It just really depends on the command, and the base.
YES!!! And, also, don't make statements/admissions to military authorities. Invoke your rights!Work with your lawyer, and don't say or do anything until he gives you a green light. Remember, anything you say or do can be held against you.
What branch of service are you? Rank? How was your relationship with the command prior to this? Does the base commander have a policy letter addressing DUI?
For all you out there who partake in alcohol while dealing with these kinds of issues, don't do it.
The posters have been helpful in raising a lot of issues for consideration. I have weighed in because I think there have been some posts or statements that are not quite right. But, bottom line, the issues can be VERY complicated, so I wanted to point out at least some issues or concerns with some of the statements.
The issues in the case are going to be VERY fact specific and DEPENDENT. It is really hard to seek, give, or get meaningful advice in such cases on a forum. He may well end up with a fine outcome. He may end up getting horribly shafted. Hopefully, it is a good result. However, I am not sure that anyone can do much to assist, help at this point by offering advice here. It really is going to be an "on the ground" situation and the Soldier is advised to get good legal advice and fight for the best outcome. We can provide moral support, but, this is one of those situations where there is not much prospectively to be done. The situation and facts are mostly fixed, so it is now up to the process and how it plays out that will determine the outcome.
...For all you out there who partake in alcohol while dealing with these kinds of issues, don't do it...
Amen! For whoever reads this, DO NOT DRINK while in the WTU or CBWTU. We soldiers work to hard and have to much at stake to risk it. Not only will it affect our lives, it affects the lives of our family (even future family) as well as the command in place to guide us through the MEB/PEB.
.....
Judicial punishment (court-martial). If you are stopped on the installation, or the civilian authorities are not prosecuting you, you can still receive a court-martial for a DUI under Article 111 of the UCMJ. Article 111 specifically states that any person who operates or physically controls any vehicle, aircraft, or vessel in a reckless or wanton manner or while impaired shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. Punishments related to court-marital can include forfeiture of pay, reduction in grade, confinement, and dismissal from the military."
2nd part DUI laws
....They cannot be charged again for the DUI or punished by the military for that actual charge because that is a double jeopardy type situation, but they can be charged for misconduct and face the consequences of that as well as the charge for DUI in civilian court. This to me became a little confusing, this is still being charged twice it’s just worded differently to avoid the legal circle of double jeopardy. RCW 38.38.088 (Article 13) Punishment prohibited before trial states “no person, wile being held for trial or the result of trial may be subjected to punishment or penalty other than arrest or confinement upon the charges pending against the person, nor shall the arrest or confinement imposed upon the person be any more rigorous than the circumstances required to insure their presence, but the person may be subjected to minor punishment during that period for infractions of discipline” (2009).
COMMENT BY JASON PERRY: Please ensure you read comments below for clarification
The Supreme Court decision does not allow commands to punish members for offenses committed outside the jurisdiction of the military.
http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/court-rejects-rule-making-sailors-report-dui-arrests/
Read up on your rights. Don't believe what you are told by those who have not seen or been in your situation.
COMMENT BY JASON PERRY: Please ensure you read comments below for clarification
AmyGallay, I posted a comment in your posts advising folks to read on as there are some errors. Normally, I would just reply, but, with the posts spread over three separate posts, I was concerned readers would miss a single reply without more indication of a reply.
Your first post (excerpted below) was mostly right. But there were a couple of issues:
This suggests that you need to be on the installation to be tried at Court-Martial. The UCMJ applies world-wide, 24/7...Many years ago, there was a nexus-test between the offense and the military. One of the elements of that test was where it occurred. That is no longer the case- it does not matter if you are on base or off as to whether there is military jurisdiction.
Also, as I explained before, there is no double jeopardy issue if there sovereigns are different (i.e, state and federal). If a civilian state authority prosecutes for DUI, there is no prohibition on the military, as the federal sovereign, prosecuting.
The
The above bolded is just wrong. I am not going to cite the cases- this whole topic is a spin off from the subject of the PEB FORUM in the first place. However, I can tell you as a former Senior Trial Counsel (military prosecutor) that this double jeopardy statement is flat wrong. Most times, out of comity, judicial efficiency, and other principles, the military will not choose to prosecute if the civilian authorities do. But, different sovereigns make double jeopardy not an issue.
Again, this is wrong. First, the rule about this changed, I think it was 50 or 60 years ago. Second, the post links to a Navy Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals case- not the Supreme Court.
I would say to the original poster or anyone in their situation, don't just read up on your rights- take the advice of your attorney (meaning you should get one).
I am not trying to blast anyone here...it is just important that accurate information be put out and I was worried there might be some confusion.
Not so. The elements of the UCMJ jurisdiction are that the member is "subject to the code," and that there is an offense under the code. It does not matter where the offense occurs. Article 111 covers "Drunken or reckless operation of vehicle, aircraft, or vessel." There is no requirement, or limitation, that the offense occurs "on base."That was quoted from military.com
If it occured off base, it is not military jurisdiction. The DUI. Now they can charged you with something else. Conduct unbecoming, ect. Well, just letting you know what I saw working at the hospital and dealing with the drunks.
Isn't dual prosecution rare?
I have NEVER seen an off base DUI get an Article 15, only on base.
Get a lawyer, take it day by day and never do it again.