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FAQ

Defending Those Who Defend Us ®

Our FAQs

    • Why do you need a civilian defense attorney?

      It is quite common to encounter an inexperienced uniformed judge advocate, sometimes right out of law school. With little to no exposure as practicing attorneys in military law, these newly minted judge advocates are routinely detailed to servicemembers suspected of misconduct by the government, even though they have never argued in front of a military judge or represented an individual at a contested court-martial. Experience does matter.

      Other criteria to consider when deciding whether pursue civilian representation include:

      1. the fact that commands have no influence over civilian defense attorneys;
      2. the increased likelihood of civilian defense attorneys to negotiate client-friendly plea agreements; and
      3. the propensity of uniformed judge advocates to stay on the case when civilian defense attorneys are hired by a servicemember—two attorneys are always better than one.

      Additionally, uniformed judge advocates commonly carry heavy caseloads—sometimes as many as thirty separate cases. Civilian defense attorneys do not normally manage such a high volume of cases; thus it is far more likely that a civilian defense attorney will devote to you the amount of time and attention your case deserves.

      A dedicated and seasoned legal advocate can guide you through your military justice proceedings, whether they include trial or a review board.

    • How much does civilian defense representation cost?

      The cost of legal defense services depends on a host of variables. Generally, the more complex and serious the charges, the more time and effort is needed to effectively defend against them. For instance, a servicemember accused of sexually assaulting three females, who is facing 20 separate charges and specifications at a general court-martial, will require great effort and time on the part of his defense counsel. Military Justice Attorneys strives to make legal representation affordable when considering the facts and circumstances of your case.

    • How can I afford a civilian defense attorney?

      Military Justice Attorneys is dedicated to your well-being and will work with you to find a creative way to manage legal fees. Servicemembers facing criminal charges have often used their savings, relied on family members and friends, taken out home-equity lines, or used credit cards in order to pay for their legal services. Acquiring competent legal representation is an investment well worth the initial cost.

      In addition, Military Justice Attorneys charges affordable flat rates. This means you can call us without worrying about being charged in six-minute increments. It is also important to consider that Military Justice Attorneys do not generally carry heavy caseloads, so they can ensure that each client receives the required attention.

    • Is the initial consultation free?

      Yes, and please do not hesitate to contact us.

    • When should I hire a civilian defense attorney?

      In general, the earlier the servicemember retains a civilian defense attorney, the better, for a host of reasons. The early stages of investigation, before the preferral of charges, can provide an excellent opportunity to engage the command on alternative ways to dispose of the allegations. Though a command would never admit it, convenience does matter—even more than ensuring good order and discipline. Commanding Officers/Generals want to fight wars, not convene courts, and sometimes simply getting to them early can greatly benefit the servicemember accused of misconduct.

      Another important advantage to hiring an attorney immediately is that law enforcement and commands can no longer interrogate or ask questions of the accused, unless consent is given by the defense counsel.

    • Will my command find out if I consult a civilian defense attorney?
      No. This is a very common concern that can leave servicemembers reluctant to reach out for the legal counsel they need, but it is an entirely baseless fear. First, you have a right to civilian counsel. Second, Military Justice Attorneys practices professional discretion regarding its clients and does not communicate with client commands beyond the requirements of the legal proceedings.
    • My son/daughter is in trouble with his/her command. What can I do to help him/her?
      For any concerned parent, the first step is to get as many details as possible from your son or daughter and then contact Military Justice Attorneys. During your free initial consultation with us, you will receive an explanation of how the military justice system works, what stage your son or daughter is currently in, and what courses of action can be taken to protect him or her and defend against the allegations.
    • What happens to my Medical Evaluation Board if I get in legal trouble?

      Depending on the military service concerned, the Medical or Physical Evaluation Board will simply stop moving forward until all pending legal issues are resolved. Thus, a Sergeant in the Marine Corps who is under investigation for use of a controlled substance will not have his Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) referred to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for initial determination until the criminal matter is concluded. In this situation, the Sergeant may have to be found not guilty at a court-martial before any administrative hearing related to his medical discharge can occur.

      Needless to say, this process is complex for any servicemember to navigate either alone or with an inexperienced uniformed judge advocate. Military Justice Attorneys strongly advises that you hire a military lawyer if you are facing such a gauntlet.

    • Should I accept or refuse Article 15/NJP?

      This important question has been pondered by thousands of servicemembers over the years. In today’s military, an Article 15/NJP entry in a servicemember’s record book is no insignificant matter. Although Article 15/NJP convictions do not result in a federal criminal record, they often do affect the servicemember’s ability to promote in rank within his or her military occupational specialty, as well as eligibility to re-enlist.

      Ultimately, the question comes down to risk. If a servicemember feels strongly that he or she committed no misconduct and plans to refuse NJP, he or she must also be willing to assume the risk of going to a court-martial. This is because many Commanding Officers/Generals notified of an NJP-refusal will simply refer the allegations to a court-martial. There are many factors for the servicemember to consider and weigh, and it is very important that experienced legal advice is sought before decision-making. Contact Military Justice Attorneys for your free consultation.

What Our Clients Say

  • "He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom."

    My career, my life, my future was completely in his hands and he took it as seriously as I did. He is an articulate pitbull in the courtroom. I highly recommend his services if you expect to have any chance of seeing the justice you truly deserve.

    - Corporal, USMC
  • "It Was Like a Scene From a Movie"

    The results I received from the board was the best possible outcome in my favor and saved my career and my family’s future.

    - Master Sergeant, USAF
  • "I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding."

    Mr. Hill tore apart the government's theory piece by piece . . . I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding.

    - Petty Officer Third Class, USN
  • "I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands."

    Gerry Healy is an outstanding attorney. In the courtroom he is confident, knowledgeable, and aggressive. I would not want my fate in anyone else’s hands.

    - Airman First Class, USAF
  • "Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense of me"

    Mr. Hodge was relentless in his defense. . . and absolved me of any wrongdoing under the UCMJ.

    - Corporal, USMC

Our Battles Won

Results Matter. When your career, reputation, and freedom are on the line, you need an experienced law firm in your corner. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at MJA know how to fight and win. Our results speak for themselves.

  • "NOT GUILTY" NOT GUILTY

    Quantico, Virginia. Marine Corporal (E-4) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Wrongful Drug Use After Positive Urinalysis.

  • "NOT GUILTY" Fort Cavazos, Texas

    Fort Hood, Texas. Army Private Second Class (E-2) Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges After Week-Long Trial.

  • "NOT GUILTY" Parris Island, South Carolina

    Parris Island, South Carolina. Marine Staff Sergeant (E-6) Acquitted at Court-Martial of Hazing, Blood Striping, and Pinning.

  • "NOT GUILTY" Kings Bay, Georgia

    Kings Bay, Georgia. Master-at-Arms Third Class (E-4) Acquitted by Jury of Dereliction of Duty Involving Firearm.

  • "NOT GUILTY" Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany

    Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Senior Airman (E-4) Accused of Rape and Abusive Sexual Contact Acquitted by Military Judge.

When Your Career Is On The Line

Our decentralized approach to military defense ensures that we can represent service members from any branch of the military, of any rank, at any military base or installation stateside or abroad.

For A Free Consultation Contact Us Today

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