Differing Arrest Procedures for Enlisted Service Members, Part 1

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Role and Value of Co-Signer in Bail Bond Posting, Part 2
February 21, 2020
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Differing Arrest Procedures for Enlisted Service Members, Part 2
March 31, 2020
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Differing Arrest Procedures for Enlisted Service Members, Part 1

arrest procedures enlisted service members

While the vast majority of US citizens will be subject to the same regulations and conditions if they are arrested for a crime, there are a few minor exceptions that might be possible. One such example here is enlisted military or armed forces personnel – there are many such personnel who remain in the United States for most or all of their service, and despite their enlistment they are still subject to all local and federal laws.

At Beehive Bail Bonds, our bail bond agents are happy to assist anyone who has been incarcerated, including enlisted military personnel, with posting bail and other important post-arrest elements. In this two-part blog, we’ll go over a number of the areas or factors that may differ from a normal arrest if you’re arrested while an enlisted service member, plus some of the issues that may arise based on such an arrest taking place.

Higher Expectations

For starters, it’s important to be aware that members of the US armed forces are generally held to a higher standard when it comes to their daily lives, both in a professional and non-professional setting. Armed forces members are expected to be disciplined and uphold a set of values that goes even beyond the law – and by this token, issues where they are involved in breaking the law are viewed extremely harshly in many circumstances. While we’ll get into the specifics here momentarily, be aware that if you’re a service member of any kind, this expectation is present even when you are not on-duty.

Legal Advice Potential by Grade

In many cases, one minor silver lining of being arrested as a service member is the fact that you may have access to the armed forces’ legal assistance office. This office is present for those who might struggle to meet normal legal fees using their own funds.

Generally speaking, any married solder in the E-4 grade or above – or unmarried soldiers in the E-3 grade or below – will meet requirements for legal assistance. This assistance is meant to keep service members apprised of their options while offering basic legal advice they may not have access to elsewhere.

Court Date Attendance

Particularly during any period of war or military conflict, but even during peacetime as well, the commitments involved with military members can make scheduling and attending court dates more difficult than average citizens. It is often possible to get delays based on specific military service, but know that you will not be granted a delay based only on convenience items. Such a delay will generally be as short as possible.

For more on the differences in arrest situations between enlisted service members and normal citizens, or to learn about any of our bail bond services, speak to the staff at Beehive Bail Bonds today.