Alcohol & Drugs: DUI, DWI will a DUI keep a soldier from deployment?

[russb2009]

back in april 2008 I recieved a DUI, I was not allowed to speak with an attorney the night I was arrested and asked to speak to an attorney when the officer asked me to blow and if knew all my rights. I was handed a phone book and could not get ahold of any legal advisors and he said he didnt have time for this (I was allowed about 5 minutes to try and get ahold of a lawyer at 3 in the morning.) and took me to clackamas county jail. Later I hired an attorney that said he thought I could fight the case and win, but all he did was file continuances, it has been almost a year. I dropped my lawyer because we disagreed (he wanted to be paid in full before trial and I felt he had not done anything to date on my case except attent the DMV hearing and file continuance.) since the arrest I have been put on orders to deploy to afghanistan january 26th. my court date is january 12, I have brought a copy of my orders and am planning to plead no contest in hopes of being able to get this over with and I am hoping to be able to deploy and hopefully do treatment when I get back from my deployment. is there a chance I will be able to deploy with my unit? and if I plead no contest and am convicted of DUI and not allowed to deploy would I be thrown out of the national guard?

 

[russb2009]

any advice would be much appreciated!!! please comment if you have any advice on this subject

 

[LawStudent]

Consult the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act

You will want to consult the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, which may allow you to get a continuance until after your deployment. You may also want to contact the JAG office at your nearest post. Lastly, I suggest that you find an ex-JAG lawyer to represent you.