The Cost of a DUI

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Torri Savarese
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Throughout our Air Force careers, we're consistently reminded of the severity of driving under the influence. We face fines, license suspensions and possible demotion. Without taking into account the cost of a life we could take with our carelessness, a DUI can take quite a toll on our wallet.

A $30 investment could save an Airman thousands of dollars, their career and possibly their life.

According to Capt. Thomas Burks, 90th Missile Wing Legal Office, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, operating a vehicle while drunk is punishable by confinement up to six months (18 months if personal injury resulted); a bad conduct discharge (or a dishonorable discharge if personal injury resulted); forfeiture of all pay and allowances; hard labor without confinement for up to 3 months; reduction in grade to E-1, and a fine. Under Wyoming law, a first-time DUI offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, up to a $750 fine, and a license suspension or revocation. Wyoming will look back ten years to see whether an offender has a history of DUI - if they do, expect jail time. Under Colorado law, the punishment for a first-time DUI offense is imprisonment for a minimum five days up to a maximum of one year, a fine of $600 to $1,000, and 48-96 hours of public service. A license suspension may also result from a first-time DUI conviction in Colorado.

However, costs that can be levied as part of a punishment are really just the tip of the iceberg, Burks added. Colorado and Wyoming courts can also impose court costs and processing fees, and can make the defendant pay the costs of probation, including regular alcohol screenings and substance abuse assessments. Not to mention the cost of an attorney if the military member chooses to hire civilian counsel. The military does not provide Airmen military counsel if they are facing civilian charges. In addition, a reduction in grade can cost an Airman hundreds of dollars every month in lost income, may result in separation due to high year tenure, and can cost an Airman thousands of dollars in lost retirement income.

All of this financial grief can be avoided by just calling a cab that typically costs around $20 to $30.

In addition to financial strain, getting a DUI also affects an Airman' s career in other ways.

"The best prevention method is to have a solid plan and stick with it," said Chief Master Sgt. Dan Arvin, 90th Security Forces Group chief enlisted manager. "If you're plan on drinking, do not drive your vehicle to an alcohol establishment, take a taxi which will force you to find a ride home. Locally, Cowboy Shuttle will pick you up and give you a free ride home. This program has been extremely successful. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and may just save your career or life."

So the next time you're ordering that last drink and fiddling with the keys in your pocket, ask yourself: Do I really want to pay $10,000 in fines, lose a stripe, and have to move to a new place because I can't afford mine anymore? Or, can I spend $30, call a cab, or a friend or supervisor for free, and pick up my car in the morning? The choice is yours, be smart about it.