mikestats

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So I recently got a citation for public drunkness in college and was taken in handcuffs to the university drunk tank. I'm in the ROTC program but not yet on scholarship. I'm well standing and is my first offense. In addition, I'm going to basic camp this summer. I applied for ARD already. My question is will this citation affect me from obtaining my scholarship? (Also I'm 21)
 
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It's going to be case by case. I've seen folks overcome this, and I've seen folks tossed from ROTC programs for it. Being taken in handcuffs is particularly troublesome. You might approach your cadre before the college informs them, if that's something your college would do. At least it shows you recognize the mistake, are taking ownership of it, and are being proactive about it.
 
It's going to be case by case. I've seen folks overcome this, and I've seen folks tossed from ROTC programs for it. Being taken in handcuffs is particularly troublesome. You might approach your cadre before the college informs them, if that's something your college would do. At least it shows you recognize the mistake, are taking ownership of it, and are being proactive about it.
I forgot to mention I'm 21. Do you think that plays in my favor?
 
Were you arrested or was there a documented disciplinary action of some sort from the college? Either/both would make the matter more serious and tougher for your cadre to overlook.

Either way, I agree with kinnem - best to get out in front of this and be prepared to take ownership and talk about what you've learned from the experience. Whatever the outcome, it will probably be better than your cadre finding out one day down the road and knowing you kept silent about it.
 
It's going to be case by case. I've seen folks overcome this, and I've seen folks tossed from ROTC programs for it. Being taken in handcuffs is particularly troublesome. You might approach your cadre before the college informs them, if that's something your college would do. At least it shows you recognize the mistake, are taking ownership of it, and are being proactive about it.
I forgot to mention I'm 21. Do you think that plays in my favor?
Not much.
 
Were you arrested or was there a documented disciplinary action of some sort from the college? Either/both would make the matter more serious and tougher for your cadre to overlook.

Either way, I agree with kinnem - best to get out in front of this and be prepared to take ownership and talk about what you've learned from the experience. Whatever the outcome, it will probably be better than your cadre finding out one day down the road and knowing you kept silent about it.
I was not given any disciplinary action by the college, they just gave me a citation by the state of PA. On the citation, it says on view arrest.
 
Removed from the scene in cuffs and transported somewhere ='s arrested to me.
 
The plus side is that it is not a MIP, that would be worse for you. As far as what they will do, nobody knows but your Cadre which I would talk to ASAP.

On a side note, they must be pretty strict around your campus, did this happen close to school, were you simply walking back to campus or home or were you hanging from a lamp pole so to speak. I only ask because the police around my son's campus when they were in school didn't really bother anyone that was walking home or to campus while they were "Under the influence" as long as they were over 21 and not causing a disturbance. Their stance was that they would rather them be walking then driving.

Good luck with all of this.
 
I agree with the other posters in that you should let your cadre know before they find out from someone/something else like the campus police blotter.

If you're made to go to some education program, just make sure whoever sees you doesn't diagnose you with substance/alcohol abuse or dependence. If the diagnosis is alcohol misuse (i.e. bad judgment) and it's one time, then there shouldn't be any medical DQ.
 
just make sure whoever sees you doesn't diagnose you with substance/alcohol abuse or dependence. If the diagnosis is alcohol misuse (i.e. bad judgment) and it's one time, then there shouldn't be any medical DQ.

Boy is this the truth.

If you actually answer the questions as honest as possible you're likely to be labeled as Abuse or Dependent. I remember my son telling me that when he was going trough a Physical when he reported to his unit he was asked alcohol related questions, he said he tried to be honest and said things like he has maybe 3 beers a week or maybe 2 or 3 in an evening on occasion. The person asking the question said lets drop that to 2 a week and 2 at one time so you don't have to go to alcohol counseling.
 
It's going to be case by case. I've seen folks overcome this, and I've seen folks tossed from ROTC programs for it. Being taken in handcuffs is particularly troublesome. You might approach your cadre before the college informs them, if that's something your college would do. At least it shows you recognize the mistake, are taking ownership of it, and are being proactive about it.
I forgot to mention I'm 21. Do you think that plays in my favor?
I can't see how being 21 years of age plays in your favor. Public drunkness with handcuffs involved isn't good even if you are old enough to legally obtain and consume alcohol.
 
These days, LEOs will cuff people for everyone's protection (including theirs) as part of their SOP. It makes a lot of sense for them to do that.

Since you were picked up under Title 42, chapter 89, section 8902, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5505 (first page there) you were indeed placed under arrest with no warrant required, because "a police officer shall, upon view, have the right of arrest without warrant upon probable cause when there is ongoing conduct that imperils the personal security of any person or endangers public or private property".

A citation sounds a lot like a misdemeanor ticket to me. Not to soft-pedal this, but if you do NOT have a court date and just have to pay a fine, then
(although clearly not smart) it should be okay, being your first time and all. Agree with other posters before me. For your sake, the cadre had better find out about this from you, first. This had better start with "I made a mistake and it's all mine..." rather than some lame excuse about why this all "wasn't fair..."
 
I can't see how being 21 years of age plays in your favor. Public drunkness with handcuffs involved isn't good even if you are old enough to legally obtain and consume alcohol.

Being 21 won't make things easier, but the fact that he was not underage means it could have been worse with having a MIP and MIC adding to the problem. It is not against Army regulations to drink or even get beyond the legal limit if you're over 21, which brings me to an observation.

There must be more to this story then just being outside a bar while drunk. Simply walking through campus after drinking if you're on your way back to your place doesn't seem to warrant being arrested. Only the OP knows what all happened and I would suggest he be very upfront with his Cadre because they will want to see the actual police report I'm sure.
 
I also recommend, while informing cadre and taking ownership, volunteering to lead sessions on alcohol abuse and education, impact on military careers, etc. Lean forward to serve as a peer educator. If you are allowed to continue in the unit, do not put a foot wrong, excel.
 
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So, as a law enforcement officer, although not in PA, I will break that part down. Your were arrested for public drunkenness. Handcuffs are a standard part of arrest. You were likely doing something that drew the officer's or someone else's attention to you. Based upon @THParent's quote of the applicable law above, it sounds a lot like public intoxication laws in many states. It's not just that you were drunk in a public place, but that you demonstrated an inability to care for your own safety and well-being. Once you were arrested and placed in handcuffs, you were transported to a facility to sober up. You were then given a citation with a court date.

I have no idea how your cadre will view this, but I'm sure they won't be pleased and it certainly won't help your chances of getting a scholarship. I agree with the others, you need to report this to your cadre before they find out about it by other means, because it will come out one way or another.
 
Above all, do not lie to the cadre when they ask questions. A lie would be worse than what already happened. Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
 
I can't see how being 21 years of age plays in your favor. Public drunkness with handcuffs involved isn't good even if you are old enough to legally obtain and consume alcohol.

Being 21 won't make things easier, but the fact that he was not underage means it could have been worse with having a MIP and MIC adding to the problem. It is not against Army regulations to drink or even get beyond the legal limit if you're over 21, which brings me to an observation.

There must be more to this story then just being outside a bar while drunk. Simply walking through campus after drinking if you're on your way back to your place doesn't seem to warrant being arrested. Only the OP knows what all happened and I would suggest he be very upfront with his Cadre because they will want to see the actual police report I'm sure.
Jcleppe - I completely agree.
 
I would suggest he be very upfront with his Cadre because they will want to see the actual police report I'm sure.

I "liked" every post that said inform cadre. I would emphasize inform cadre immediately. It may be too late for you but not too early for current or aspiring cadets/mids.

My DS, as an MS2, was arrested for trespassing. He was subleasing an apartment from a kid doing a semester abroad without being added to the lease. He was cuffed by the building security guard and taken to jail. There was no alcohol, drugs, property damage, resisting arrest, lying to the guard or cops, etc. ( I saw the CCTV tape. It was actually kind of funny. DS had that look that only a not-quite-fully-formed adult male can have. It said "Dude? Are you serious?")

When he was released, his first phone call was to cadre. Happy ending.

On a different note, @mikestats , I hope that regardless of the outcome of your situation, someone in your life--preferable a friend--has said something like, "Dude? Public drunkenness? Are you serious?" Imagine what the E's under your command would be saying behind your back were this to happen to you as an officer.
 
As a former prosecutor, you might inquire about a first-time offender program. (Assuming that's what we have here) I saw a lot of these types of cases. See if you enter some type of program that you could get a either a deferred prosecution (they put it in suspension for period of time pending no further incidents - usually a year or more and then dismiss the ticket/complaint) or a first time offender waiver program. Likely both would require some type of alcohol assessment, maybe attending some other types of meetings mentioned above. In either case, if you get in trouble again they'll move forward with the original ticket/complaint. Being a part of ROTC can likely help you - judges like to have another support system that will help keep you in line. It will depend on your jurisdiction and what tools the authorities have. But full disclosure to the ROTC unit - as discussed above - and taking responsibility will go a long way here.
 
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