Legal Question in Military Law in Mississippi
drug paraphernalia
My son was a passenger in a vehicle with 5 other people. The vehicle was stop, for not stopping at a stop sign, just a few minutes after they all got it the car. There were marijuana seeds and stems in the floor boards. They were all charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. I am told that the passengers charges will more than likely be dropped. My question is how is this going to affect my sons military career? Also how will it affect his sign up bonus? He has been signed up for 5 months, but hasn't been to bootcamp.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: drug paraphernalia
Your son's enlistment contract may require that he report arrests so the document needs to be reviewed. Additionally, he has an obligation to comply with all legal orders, so he should reflect on any orders he may have received verbally or in writing. However, generally it is best to be the first to report the arrest to his supervisor if he has one so if anything is to come of it, he will be viewed in the most favorable light possible. He is not required, and he should not, discuss the merits of the charges with his supervisor.
Otherwise, if the charges are dropped it is unlikely that it will have any affect on his military career, unless he lies about being arrested if asked and required to tell.