Colorado Springs Military DUI Attorneys
Were you charged with DUI as a member of the US armed forces on a Colorado military base like Fort Carson or Peterson Air Force Base? A DUI is a severe charge in both civilian and military life. The consequences of a DUI are often extreme and can have a lasting effect on your career, in and out of the military.
If you are facing DUI charges in Colorado Springs, you want to retain the services of an experienced felony and military DUI attorney. Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. is a team of criminal defense lawyers here to guide you through your DUI case, rescue your career, and set a better course for the future. Contact our law firm today.
Consequences of a Military DUI in Colorado Springs
Charges for driving under the influence or driving while ability impaired on a US military base are extremely serious, with defendants usually facing severe consequences. Persons charged with DUIs who are serving in the military are typically managed through the federal courts. However, based upon the circumstances of your offense, you could be charged in both state and federal courts.
If you’re convicted of a DUI, the consequences are stark and long-lasting, especially if it is a repeat offense. Loss of driving privileges, fines, court costs, and probation are the typical outcomes of a first-time conviction. Your driving privileges may be restored with the use of an ignition interlock system that tests the probationer for alcohol consumption. However, repeat offenders receive mandatory jail time in addition to the consequences mentioned above.
The military’s response to your charges varies and often depends upon the discretion of the individual’s commanding officer. Some may take a wait-and-see approach and await the outcome of the court case. Other officers may take swift disciplinary action, possibly including a letter of reprimand, revocation of driving privileges on base, restriction of your movements to base or quarters, and possibly the worst-case scenario: referral to a court-martial followed by a dishonorable discharge from the service.
A commander’s response may also depend on your ability to present a persuasive defense of your case. Don’t take any chances. Call today and start working on your defense with Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. and our team of experienced felony and military DUI defense attorneys. Your rapid response is necessary to prevent or delay any action command takes against you.
The Cost of a Military DUI
As a member of the armed services, a DUI conviction could result in a dishonorable discharge and all the damage that comes with it: loss of rank, loss of military benefits, and potential ongoing consequences in civilian life. The financial cost of a DUI conviction and resulting dishonorable discharge can be felt for years after the offense occurred. Examples of financial consequences include the following:
- Fines
- Court and probation costs
- Vehicle interlock fees
- Higher insurance premiums
- Lost employment opportunities
The current climate in the military is to aggressively prosecute DUI and drug offenses and administer harsh sentences to those convicted. Responses from command in DUI cases move quickly, too, so you don’t have the luxury of time to study your options. You want an experienced felony DUI law firm with a record of aggressively defending their military clients and winning cases. Not every DUI case results in a trial and conviction.
Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. in Colorado Springs has the experience to look at your case from every angle and work with you to develop your best DUI defense. We have a proven record of client DUI charges being dismissed or reduced to lesser charges.
Prevent Dishonorable Discharge
A DUI arrest and conviction can result in a dishonorable discharge and all of the consequences that come with it under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Loss of rank, pay, and benefits as well as potential damage to your civilian career are all possibilities when facing a dishonorable discharge due to a military DUI arrest or conviction. Having a rapid response to your case is essential to getting ahead of things and preventing a conviction, fines, imprisonment, a court-martial, and a dishonorable discharge.
Active-duty personnel must consider the military response that follows a DUI arrest and the court’s verdict, an additional dimension that civilians don’t have to consider. Even if a judge dismisses your case in a civilian court, you could still face a military court-martial and a dishonorable discharge for a DUI under military law. You want an experienced defense team that works with you early in the process and helps you avoid short and long-term consequences of a military DUI arrest.
Some factors of your case that may bear examination include the following:
- Your prior arrest record
- The roadside or field sobriety test video
- The breathalyzer equipment certification and test results confirmation
- BAC (blood alcohol content) sample collection and testing procedures
Early intervention is essential to delaying, deferring, or dismissing any potential military penalties resulting from your case. You require an expert in DUI defense poring over your case, looking at it from all angles and finding any flaws in the procedures used. The reality is that, under US military code, any personnel caught operating a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft while intoxicated faces the possibility of court-martial and a dishonorable discharge whether or not they are convicted in a civilian court.
Colorado Springs Military DUI Defense Lawyer
Don’t take any chances with your military career and your prospects in civilian life. Expert military criminal defense attorneys are standing by at Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. to review the details of your case and advise you on the next steps to avoid the worst possible outcome for you and your family.
Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C., can help you work through the difficulties of managing a DUI case and develop your best defense. You deserve the opportunity to reclaim your military career and reputation. Call us today and work with a specialized team of Colorado Springs military DUI defense attorneys who can give you a fighting chance.