Camp Lejeune Military Defense Attorney

Camp Lejeune Military Defense Lawyer

Criminal charges can have significant impacts on your life, regardless of who you are. For military personnel, the consequences can be uniquely far-reaching. It can jeopardize your hard-earned career, reputation, and future prospects. If you are at Camp Lejeune and facing charges that may result in court-martial, you should seek counsel from a knowledgeable Camp Lejeune military defense attorney.

About Aaron Meyer Law

Aaron Meyer is committed to pursuing justice for military members accused of crimes. As an attorney and former Marine, his experience has taught him that, despite noble intentions, proceedings do not always end in justice.

The system is designed to produce convictions. Much like the civilian criminal justice system, people with bad intentions can exploit this for their own purposes.

Aaron Meyer is based in California, but he is committed to helping military clients around the country. He is the most successful military defense attorney on the West Coast in the history of the United States. Our firm stands ready to bring this track record to your defense.

Court-Martial: Military Court

When a service member is accused of a crime, the military automatically has jurisdiction over the case and is obligated to handle it internally. The military’s judicial process, called a court-martial, involves convening a panel of military members and a military judge, mirroring a civilian judge and jury, to try the case.

There are three levels of courts-martial: a summary court-martial, a special court-martial, and a general court-martial. Each level deals with different categories of offenses. They are as follows: 

• Summary court-martial. This lowest-level court-martial is for minor offenses that are not serious enough to warrant a full trial. Even if the accused is found guilty, that finding does not constitute a criminal conviction. Proceedings are usually short, and punishments are relatively light.
• Special court-martial. The next tier of court-martial, the special court-martial, may be called to handle offenses such as insubordination, absence without leave (AWOL), or assaulting a superior officer. These proceedings are usually much more involved than a summary court-martial and mirror a civilian trial. A special court-martial can try any offense up to capital offenses.
• General court-martial. The general court-martial is the most serious military trial with the gravest possible punishments. This tier is normally only used for felony crimes like murder or capital military offenses like wartime desertion.

Why a Military Member Might Face a Court-Martial

Camp Lejeune is a large military base with over 38,000 active service members. Military members are not immune to legal trouble. With so many people in the area, legal issues are bound to arise, just as they would in any civilian municipality.

Service members may be subject to a court-martial for any action that would prompt criminal charges for civilians. Unlike civilians, military personnel can also be charged with offenses such as AWOL, desertion, insubordination, and other violations specific to military service. Punishments for court-martial convictions can include jail time, hard labor, demotion, docked pay, or even dishonorable discharge from the military.

The Court-Martial Process

The military justice process begins with an accusation. If a service member is accused or suspected of an offense, the military begins an internal investigation. At the end of the investigation, if the accusations are deemed legitimate, the investigating officer can recommend that formal charges be filed.

For charges serious enough to warrant a general court-martial, a preliminary hearing is held. At this hearing, the charges are read in full. The prosecution and defense can present evidence and cross-examine any witnesses. If the case is not thrown out after this hearing, the court-martial panel is selected for courtroom proceedings.

With the panel members chosen, the case proceeds much like a civilian criminal trial. After the closing arguments, the panel deliberates and hands back a verdict. The panel must reach a three-fourths consensus to deliver a verdict for non-capital offenses, and capital offenses require a unanimous opinion.

Hire a Military Defense Attorney

If you are facing formal military judicial proceedings, the first thing you should do is hire a military defense attorney. The military justice system is designed with the best intentions, but it can be exploited just as easily as the civilian legal system.

That is why you need an experienced, strong lawyer who will not back down under pressure. A skilled attorney can be the difference between a misunderstanding and the end of your career.

FAQs

Q: At What Point Should I Contact a Military Defense Attorney?

A: You should contact a military defense attorney as soon as you know, or even begin to suspect, you might be accused of misconduct. The sooner you build a defense with your lawyer, the better chance you have of justice. Even if the charges against you are not substantiated and your case is dropped, being prepared can make all the difference.

Q: Can I Be Represented by a Lawyer in a Summary Court-Martial at Camp Lejeune?

A: Yes, you have the right to be represented by an attorney during a summary court-martial at Camp Lejeune. Even though being found guilty in a summary court-martial is not tantamount to a criminal conviction, punishments can still significantly affect your career and your future. This is why an attorney is so important.

Q: Can a Military Defense Attorney Represent Me During a Preliminary Hearing?

A: Yes, a military defense attorney can represent you during a preliminary hearing. If you are facing a general court-martial, your defense attorney can accompany you to your preliminary hearing and speak on your behalf.

Your lawyer can present evidence and ask questions to help build your defense, or possibly get the case dismissed. At this hearing, you have the right to be in the courtroom with your attorney to participate in the proceedings.

Q: Can I Appeal a Court-Martial Verdict?

A: Yes, you have the right to appeal the results of a court-martial verdict, and many appeals are successful. In fact, if your case involves a jail sentence of more than one year or a discharge, it is automatically sent to the appeals court for review. Because the stakes are so high in military judicial cases, service members have the right to exhaust every option to protect their careers and reputations.

Contact Aaron Meyer Law

Facing a court-martial at Camp Lejeune can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Military members should not have to go through it alone. Aaron Meyer is committed to obtaining justice for those who defend our freedom. Contact our office today to discuss your case.