Shopping for a Military Lawyer? Part 1: Courts-Martial
Judging from a cursory Google search, looking for a military lawyer can be an ominous task. Yet, you’re probably searching for a lawyer who will represent you at a time when you are the most vulnerable, desperate, and in need of someone competent to stand by your side. Here are a few things to help… Read More
Social Media: A Cautionary Tale
Just a reminder to everyone out there: be careful on social media. It can cause irreparable damage to your career, your case, your potential for obtaining a discharge upgrade, your future relationships, and a whole lot more. Most military lawyers will tell you the same thing. Be careful out there. Once you post something, it… Read More
The Fight Is Far From Over
If you thought the senate would give the latest round of changes to the UCMJ some time to take hold, you thought wrong. Over the next couple of months, a battle will be waged between those who support the changes proposed by Senator Claire McCaskill (former prosecutor and District Attorney) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (champion… Read More
Assessing the Sides of a Sexual Assault Court-Martial
For a moment, let’s assess the teams that exist whenever someone in the military is prosecuted for sexual assault: For Prosecution and Conviction Prosecutor (Trial Counsel) Special Victim Prosecutor Paralegals and other legal assistants in the military justice shop. Investigators/Special Agents/Special Victim Investigators Special (Alleged) Victim Counsel Victim Advocates For the Defense Military Defense Counsel… Read More
Sexual Assault Reports Are Up, But What Does It Mean?
There are statistics, then there is how statistics are interpreted. The latter varies wildly depending on political persuasions. In practice, such debates in congress is of little use to military lawyers who focus on courts-martial, as we just continue defending allegations one case at a time. However, we are always mindful of potential changes and… Read More
The Changes are In
It is official, the UCMJ is changing, and alleged victims of sexual assault will no longer be required to testify at Article 32 hearings, dealing a huge blow to one of the most important tools for military lawyers who defend these types of cases. Via the Washington Post. Congress passed a broad set of changes… Read More
Court-Martial Begins for Former Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
The last few years have seen some enhanced scrutiny of military sexual assaults and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This was one of the noteworthy cases that added fuel to the fire, causing congress to move forward this year with radical proposals for UCMJ reform. It was largely overblown and used as an example… Read More