Drug Use During Israeli Military Service

This article addresses drug use during Israeli military service. If you have been caught using drugs while serving in the IDF, this article will provide some basic information that can be of assistance.

An Investigation of Drug Use During Israeli Military Service

Soldiers in the IDF may get used to the idea that the “trials” aren’t real and being “arrested” or confined to base doesn’t really matter once your military service is complete. An investigation by “metzach” (military investigative police) is absolutely a criminal investigation and a conviction would result in a genuine criminal record as well as possible prison time and loss of military rank. Crimes committed by a soldier in the IDF will be investigated by “metzach” and tried in military courts rather than by the Israel police and the civilian courts, even crimes committed while on leave, including the use of illicit drugs. (For more on the military justice system in Israel, see the IDF’s website on the topic.)

A suspect under investigation will not be allowed to disclose any details to family or acquaintances, only to their lawyer, and so it is imperative to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

It is important that the soldier under investigation knows they have the legal right to remain silent and should consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as the investigation begins.

Choosing an IDF Lawyer

If you are looking for an IDF lawyer, we recommend you consider the following:

The lawyer’s area of specialization and whether they have experience in cases like yours.
Whether the lawyer communicates with you in a timely and effective way.
Many clients, especially those that don’t speak Hebrew as their native language, prefer to hire a lawyer that speaks their mother tongue. At our law office, we provide services in English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, and Russian, among others.
Clarify the fees and expenses upfront to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.
Ask if the lawyer has the time to prioritize your case, especially if the matter is urgent.