Legal Question in Military Law in Alabama

Re: military law

They can potentially lose a security clearance, and if there is jail time associated (and the offender has no leave time) they could be awol while in civilian custody.

There are sometimes ways to plead "nolo contendre" or to ask for suspended imposition of sentence such that you pay a fine and do some community service and the conviction then does not involve jail time and also doesn't go on your permanent record. You should hire a good local criminal lawyer and seek his advice on this matter.