For Military Personnel
The first instinct of a Servicemember who is questioned by their command or law enforcement will likely be to clear things up and defend themselves by providing their side of the story. However, they cannot be forced to make a statement and doing so often is not in...
Your Commander just brought you into their office and read a list of charges against you. You’ve been accused of a serious military offense. Your mind races as you consider what comes next and what this all means. Before any General Court Martial, you have the right...
A service member gets into a fight after drinking; another is pulled over for driving under the influence. Both incidents involve alcohol, but only one is a DUI. The military handles these offenses differently. Knowing how they’re classified under military law helps...
One accusation can change everything. You might lose access to your home, face command restrictions or get pulled into two investigations—one military, one civilian. Your career and standing in the military could shift overnight. Understanding the process early helps...
If you’ve learned that you’re the subject of a military investigation, it’s crucial to take the matter seriously, regardless of whether you believe the investigation is warranted or not and even if you’re told it’s just “standard procedure.” The more you understand...
The Uniform Code of Military Justice has undergone multiple changes over the past sixteen years. However, the most drastic took effect December 28, 2023. Lawyers in the newly established Office of the Special Trial Counsel now have the control in deciding whether...
The decision to join the military means making a multi-year commitment in most cases. People give up their right to outside employment or even to control their schedule. The military tells them where they live and when they work. Most active-duty servicemembers...
The Military has a unique process for managing criminal cases. When a member of the Armed Forces is charged with a serious crime, that individual must undergo a process in military court. In brief, a Brigade Level Commander orders an Article 32 preliminary hearing...
The United States military is a drug-free employer. This means that even in states where marijuana or CPD is decriminalized, members of the military can face disciplinary action if they have a positive result on a drug test. There are even stricter penalties possible...
As a military servicemember, you are subject to very strict rules that apply to you on duty and off duty. While the same federal and state laws that apply to all civilians and service members, service members must also to abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice...