Sit in jail or bail them out?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 16:40:12 -0400

It's Friday morning and you get a call that one of your Soldiers got arrested by local law enforcement for a DUI. You can bail them out in the next few hours or let them sit until Monday morning. What do you do?

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 11 at 2015 4:48 PM

SGT John Wesley — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 16:48:57 -0400

I'd let them sit in there... You are responsible for your actions and must learn from your mistakes.

Btw, I hate the fact you're at Schofield... I tried for years to get there, but my MOS was too small... Dang you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 4:52 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 16:52:08 -0400

This one is ripped for debate:
Ultimately, it comes down to you doing the right thing as a Leader to help REHABILITATE the Soldier.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 4:56 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 16:56:28 -0400

First I let my chain of command know, and I get their feel/call on the situation. I would volunteer to bail the individual out if the chain of command is good with that.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Apr 11 at 2015 5:13 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:13:33 -0400

That is a no-brainer in my mind: you immediately assist your soldier in arranging to be released and then bring them back to their place of duty.

That is *your* soldier sitting in jail. Unless you know that he or she is guilty of the crime, you have no business as a leader letting him or her sit there all weekend -- not to mention deliberately adding an unauthorized absence from place of duty.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Apr 11 at 2015 8:14 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 20:14:12 -0400

- Arrest for DUI is not conviction for DUI. Two different issues. Chain of command must let this civil issue play out within the civil arena. If convicted then certain actions must be taken by the chain of command.
- If "bail out" means go pick the Soldier up and bring them back to the unit then yes. That is a chain of command responsibility.
- If "bail out" means to commit chain of command personal funds for bail then no. That is the Soldier's responsibility. If the Soldier can afford bail great, then see comment #2 above. If the Soldier can not afford bail then the Soldier waits until Monday morning. It is what it is.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 11 at 2015 8:23 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 20:23:59 -0400

He can bail him or herself out, and I can help point that SM in the right direction for those funds. Also, I was in a unit that allowed a soldier to stay in jail for almost a month due to the court needed bail money for writing bad checks and it was a lot of them. Remember, if you pay someone's bond, you are pretty much responsible to get them to court.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2015 10:22 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 22:22:09 -0400

Honestly, if the soldier can't afford their own bail, I probably can't afford it either.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2015 8:36 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 08:36:21 -0400

Speaking of bailing someone out. I need to go bail my mother out. Bingo again! You'd think at 79 she would be over that,,,,,

Response by SSG Shawn Taylor made Apr 12 at 2015 9:49 AM

SSG Shawn Taylor — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 09:49:55 -0400

Depends on the soldier. I personnelly let my soldiers set in there until the next day or over the weekend. But I go see them first to make sure they were ok.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Mar 8 at 2018 9:29 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 09:29:02 -0500

Let him sit in jail and think about the wrong decision using your money to pay someone's bail can open up another issue if the person don't want to reimburse you.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2018 10:28 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:28:35 -0500

Does it require bail, or just your signature? A DUI on a Friday, hmm- it would depend on what kind of soldier they are- a 1st mistake/great troop- get them. A problem/dirtbag/repeat offender- let them enjoy the visit. Either way their 4th POC is mine when I do get them.