DUI - Whatch Gonna Do When They Come for You? (cue music)

I tell this to people all the time - when in doubt, leave your car and just take an Uber home. The $25 - $30 you spend on a ride is minuscule compared to the sheer pain and thousands you will spend on lawyers, court costs associated with a driving under the influence charge.

But, if you find yourself charged with DUI, here is a broad outline of what to expect.

You can be charged by civilian or state authorities and the military as well. In fact, you should expect both civilian and military consequences.

The state will charge you with an alcohol related offense. Your driver's license will likely be suspended for a period of time and you will not be allowed to drive.

The best thing you can do the day after you are arrested for an alcohol related offense is start counseling. Sounds touchy-feely, but it is a proven mitigation benefit in a case. Military One Source has confidential options, Tricare will cover most counseling, and there are resources through Behavioral Health (although private providers are best).

Self-refer to SUDCC (formerly ASAP) or whatever military alcohol program is available on post. The benefits of a self-referral is it keeps the command out of your treatment program, as opposed to command referrals, which give the command access to some of your records. AA or Smart Recovery are excellent programs, find a group you are comfortable with and stick with it. Sobriety is the best evidence in your case.

Get a local civilian lawyer to assist you with the local case. Make sure you find one who practices regularly in the county the incident occurred.

Get a lawyer for the separate military disciplinary process. Nearly all commands have policies that require initiation of separation and reprimands for alcohol related incidents, along with suspension of on-post driving privileges.

The biggest secret of the criminal justice process for DUI charges is individuals are rarely convicted of the actual offense of Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated. A good lawyer can get the charge reduced or get you through alternate disposition.

The best thing you can do is get ahead of the issue with counseling and consulting an attorney - hoping it will go away is not the best course of action.

Call the Owens Law Firm for a free consult. In the Howard County/Baltimore area, Attorney Joe Owens can help you with your military and civilian case.