First, let me say that being in the military will not get you any preferential treatment in court. In fact, if this occurred on a military base, it may be worse because of the lack of alternative sentencing programs or out of custody options. If this happened on a base, it is likely to be brought through federal court rather than state.

Before you start considering whether charges can be reduced or to enter a plea in a DUI case, you need to look at the complete picture. Many people fall victim to the idea that a DUI is no big deal, in part because so many people have them and in part because there is so little jail time attached to them. Do not fall victim to this misconception! DUI's are a major deal. They are "priorable" for a period of ten years. What this means is that if you plead or are convicted after trial of driving under the influence and you are later found to be guilty of a second DUI, you are looking at significantly more jail time, higher fines, and more onerous classes. If you are in an accident within those ten years and someone dies of an injury and you are found to have alcohol in your system, you may be charged with murder. If you get a third DUI within ten years, it may be charged as a felony. A fourth will be a felony. Your ability to get (and afford) insurance will be greatly affected with any DUI on your record. You cannot get this expunged during that ten year period. It will stay there for at least those ten years.

A DUI may be reduced, in some circumstances, to what is termed a "wet and reckless." Although the person pleads to the lesser included offense, it is considered a DUI for the purposes of priorability (see above.) It will remain on your record for 10 years. Wets are sometimes available where there is low BAC and good facts.

Typically, when a person is charged with DUI, it is really two charges: PC 23152(1) and 23152(b). The (b) count requires that you have a BAC of .08 or above. Additional enhancements may be charged if your BAC was high. The (a) count requires merely that you were operating a motor vehicle, on a public highway (yes, this means streets, raods, and parking lots too), that you had alcohol in your system, and that because of that alcohol, you were unable to operate your motor vehicle with the same "care and caution of a sober person." The (a) count can be proved up with testimony of bad driving, accidents, etc.

There are many valid and effective defenses to DUI charges. You really do need to consult with an experienced attorney who can advise you as to which, if any, apply in your particular case. DUI's are incredibly fact specific and there is no one answer for everyone that I can give you here. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations, as I do. Talk to as many of them as you need to find someone you feel comfortable working with and who you feel you can be completely honest with.

Because the implications of a DUI conviction are so great, I ordinarily caution people to carefully consider all of their options before entering a plea. Please discuss these thoroughly with your attorney. Do not allow yourself to feel rushed or pressured by anyone - not a friend and not a judge. you alone make the decision because you alone feel the consequences.

sometimes your military career can make a difference in getting your case lowered but it still helpful to have a very good lawyer

It totally depends on your facts, what court your case is in, and to some extent, on who the prosecutor (and in some circumstances, who their supervisor is.)

Unfortunately, although your service is substantial, it is unlikely to be a major factor for the DA in settling your case, absent some unusual circumstance.