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Give Military Justice Attorneys a phone call at (843) 755-6535 Contact Us

Your Fight Isn’t Over After the Verdict

A court-martial conviction can devastate a Sailor’s life—threatening rank, benefits, pay, retirement, and even long-term civilian opportunities. But the military justice system allows for powerful appellate review, and many Sailors receive relief when legal errors, procedural violations, or unlawful command influence are exposed.

Unfortunately, most service members don’t realize how many mistakes occur in the trial process: improper rulings, flawed jury instructions, unlawful searches, ineffective counsel, or exclusion of key evidence. Military Justice Attorneys helps Sailors challenge these errors on appeal, providing disciplined, strategic advocacy when everything is at stake.

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What Is a Court-Martial Appeal?

A court-martial appeal is a formal review of your case by higher military courts to determine whether legal or constitutional mistakes influenced the outcome of your trial. Navy cases typically proceed to:

  • Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA)
  • Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF)
  • The United States Supreme Court (in rare circumstances)

Appeals focus on identifying:

  • Improper admission or exclusion of evidence
  • Violations of constitutional rights
  • Prosecutorial misconduct
  • Mistakes made by the military judge
  • Errors in instructions given to members (jury)
  • Unlawful command influence
  • Sentencing errors or disproportional punishments
  • Ineffective assistance of trial defense counsel

Working with experienced court-martial attorneys gives you the strongest chance of overturning convictions or reducing punitive outcomes.

The Benefits of Working With a Military Defense Attorney for Court-Martial Appeals

  • Thorough Examination of Trial Records for Legal Errors - A skilled court-martial appeal lawyer reviews transcripts, rulings, motions, and exhibits to identify mistakes that may justify setting aside the verdict or sentence.
  • Strategic Legal Briefing and Appellate Advocacy - Military appeals require sophisticated written arguments backed by law and precedent. Appellate procedure and standards are governed by the Manual for Courts-Martial, which you can review here: https://jsc.defense.gov/Military-Law/Current-Publications-and-Updates/.
  • Representation in Oral Arguments Before Military Appellate Courts - In cases selected for oral argument, an attorney argues before appellate judges to challenge the government’s position and demonstrate how errors affected the outcome. Information about the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and its appellate process is available at: https://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/.
  • Support With Clemency, Sentence Relief, and Post-Trial Petitions - Before and after the appellate process, your attorney may request clemency, parole, or reconsideration and pursue corrections through the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR).
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Is a Court-Martial Appeal Relevant to My Situation?

You may qualify for an appeal if you:

  • Were convicted at a Special or General Court-Martial
  • Believe your trial attorney failed to provide effective representation
  • Believe your sentence was excessive
  • Suspect unlawful command influence
  • Know of evidence that was mishandled, suppressed, or admitted improperly
  • Think NCIS procedures violated your rights
  • Believe the verdict does not reflect the evidence presented

Appeals often arise from cases involving:

  • Sexual assault or misconduct
  • Domestic violence
  • Drug offenses
  • Larceny or fraud
  • Violent offenses
  • AWOL or desertion
  • Officer misconduct
  • Computer-based or cyber allegations

If any part of the trial process seemed unfair, incomplete, or rushed, a legal review is critical.

Former Military Judge Advocates United By Service

Our attorneys are all former military officers who served on active duty. We work as a team on your case, leveraging each of our attorneys’ unique perspectives and vast experience to win on your behalf.

Gerry Healy

Owner and Founder

Gerry founded Military Justice Attorneys to provide service members with principled, trial-tested defense rooted in firsthand experience inside the military justice system.

  • Former Judge Advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps
  • Recognized Criminal Defense Attorney and Litigator
  • Represents Military Community in Complex Mass Torts
Gerry Healy

Josh Hill

Managing Partner

Josh oversees the firm’s military justice practice, bringing a strategic and detail-driven approach to complex litigation, appeals, and high-stakes administrative matters.

  • Former Military Prosecutor and Defense Counsel
  • Admitted to Practice in all Military Appellate Courts
  • Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing
Josh Hill

Chip Hodge

Partner

Chip draws on senior-level military justice experience to advise and defend service members facing courts-martial, investigations, and career-altering administrative actions.

  • Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel
  • Served as Deputy SJA, Marine Forces Reserve
  • Deployed to Afghanistan in Support of OEF
Chip Hodge

Paul Murray

Partner

Paul represents contractors injured while working overseas in support of US agencies and forces, combining significant litigation experience with a deep commitment to helping injured workers.

  • Former Major in the U.S. Marine Corps
  • Admitted to the Bar in South Carolina, Georgia, and Illinois
Paul Murray

Jon Shelburne

Senior Counsel

Jon brings decades of courtroom and appellate experience, focusing on serious criminal allegations and complex military justice matters worldwide.

  • 30+ Years of Trial Experience
  • Co-Chair, Veterans Committee for Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Jon Shelburne

Amy Thomas

Of Counsel

Amy provides strategic counsel on military and employment-related matters, informed by senior leadership experience and advanced legal training.

  • Retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps
  • Master's in Jurisprudence in Labor & Employment Law
Amy Thomas
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The Navy Court-Martial Appeals Process What to Expect

1. Post-Trial Submissions and Clemency Requests

Your attorney prepares statements, letters, and arguments for the convening authority requesting reduced punishment, withdrawal of findings, or other relief.

2. Record Review and Issue Identification

Once the case is docketed, your attorney examines every page of the trial record to identify errors—often dozens of issues the trial participants overlooked.

3. Written Appellate Briefing

Your attorney submits a formal brief to the appellate court explaining the legal errors and requesting remedies such as overturning findings, adjusting the sentence, or ordering a new trial.

4. Oral Argument and Judicial Review

In selected cases, your attorney presents oral arguments before appellate judges, answering questions and responding to government objections.

5. Further Appeals or Record Corrections

If NMCCA denies relief, your attorney may request review by CAAF or pursue correction of military records through the BCNR for ongoing harm caused by the conviction.

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Case Results We’ve been in the fight & know how to win

View All Results

NEGATIVE EVALUATIONS REMOVED

U.S. Navy Reserve. Negative Evaluation and Counseling Removed from Records for Senior Enlisted Sailor.

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NCIS GRANTS TITLING EXPUNGEMENT

Department of the Navy. NCIS Grants Titling Appeal, Removes Sailor from DCII, NCIC, and III Databases.

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ADSEP TERMINATED

San Antonio, Texas. Adsep terminated for Navy Petty Officer accused of ignoring orders from command.

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CAREER SAVED

Norfolk, Virginia. Navy Petty Officer investigated for alleged harassment of a fellow Sailor informally counseled.

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ADSEP TERMINATED

United States Navy Reserve. Petty Officer Third Class threatened with termination for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.

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NO MISCONDUCT

Pensacola, Florida. Separation Board Finds “No Misconduct” by Sailor Accused of Drug Abuse.

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"NO BASIS" FINDING ("DELTA-9" THC)

San Diego, California. Sailor Retained, Adsep Board Finds "No Basis" After Sailor Tests Positive for “Delta-9” THC.

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"NO BASIS" FOR ALLEGED SEX ASSAULT

Yokosuka, Japan. Adsep Board Unsubstantiates Sexual Assault Allegations, Retains Sailor in the Navy.

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RELEASED FROM CONFINEMENT

Camp Pendleton, California. Marine Lance Corporal (E-3) Accused of Domestic Violence Released From Navy Brig.

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CHARGES DISMISSED

Naval Base Coronado, California. Navy Senior Chief (E-8) under NCIS investigation avoids court-martial.

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View All Results
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After Your Court-Martial Appeal What Comes Next

Regardless of appellate outcome, Sailors often need continuing legal support with:

  • Sentence reconsideration or parole board packages
  • Correction of records (BCNR petitions)
  • Discharge upgrade requests
  • Rank or benefit restoration
  • Security clearance responses
  • Civilian licensing or background check issues

Military Justice Attorneys helps Sailors rebuild their lives after conviction by pursuing every available avenue for relief.

Available 24/7 to Help Anyone in the World

Contact Us (843) 755-6535
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Client Testimonials Their Words. Their Cases. Their Results.

View All Testimonials

"Professional and Understanding"

I'm very grateful that he went...

Mr. Healy was very professional and understanding. He was very fierce when he was speaking on my behalf and was very thorough with everything. I'm very grateful that he went to bat for me and saved me my job, my career and I would recommend him to any military member going through a situation I did. Thanks Gerry for all the hard work.

-PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS, USN

"Worth Every Cent if You Need a Military Defense Attorney!"

I cannot thank Gerry enough fo...

I had the unfortunate experience to become involved in an investigation on a Marine Corps Officer while I was TAD with the Marine Corps. I immediately began looking for a civilian attorney to help with the process. I came across the MJA website and put in a request for a consult. Gerry called that night and spent over an hour on the phone with me discussing the case until that point.After refusing NJP, the CO sent it for an administrative separation for my misconduct, but thanks to Gerry’s advice, I didn’t have substantiated charges as I had not gone to NJP where I would have no rights, It was not referred to court martial.I received the notice right as I was informed that I was on 48 hours notice to deploy in response to the COVID response. Gerry was able to get an extension for the response, and then was able to contact the witness I provided. His expertly written brief was worth everything I had paid for and was written so much better then I could have ever hoped to have written myself. Gerry was able to point out the flaws with the command’s lack of investigation, was able to cite case law to support why the charges were not supported and forced the command to look at my entire career. It was submitted and the day that Gerry followed up with the Command JAG, I was notified that the CO was dropping the charge for dereliction of duty and would issue a NPLOC for the Conduct Unbecoming Charge and a report of no misconduct was routed to PERS. I cannot thank Gerry enough for the work he put into my response and saving my career! I would recommend him to anyone and vouch that he is worth every penny to save your career.

-LCDR, USN

"The Best Choice for a Military Defense Counsel"

I trusted him with my career o...

When I was put under investigation with my Command pending Court Martial, I didn’t know who to turn to for help. Thankfully I came across MJA’s law firm website and immediately hired Mr. Hill after consultation and looking over their reviews. After 7 long months of waiting, the week of my Court Martial came and I would see the fearlessness and confidence of Mr. Hill in the courtroom. He tore apart the government’s theory piece by piece which would result in the outcome in our favor. I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding. I 10/10 would highly recommend Mr. Hill to anyone who is going through legal challenges with their command.

-PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS, USN

"I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding. I 10/10 would highly recommend Mr. Hill."

When I was put under investiga...

When I was put under investigation with my Command pending Court Martial, I didn’t know who to turn to for help. Thankfully I came across MJA’s law firm website and immediately hired Mr. Hill after consultation and looking over their reviews. After 7 long months of waiting, the week of my Court Martial came and I would see the fearlessness and confidence of Mr. Hill in the courtroom. He tore apart the government’s theory piece by piece which would result in the outcome in our favor. I trusted him with my career on the line, and he was outstanding. I 10/10 would highly recommend Mr. Hill to anyone who is going through legal challenges with their command.
-PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS, USN

"Titling & Indexing Petition for Expungement"

Josh Hill brought in a big win...

Josh laid a course of action to petition against a ‘titling’ from a military investigation on my criminal record and worked diligently through every step of the process to make my case. It was an uphill battle, requiring us to petition at each level of authority. It didn’t come quickly and certainly not without effort – but Josh Hill brought in a big win for me that will have a positive change for the rest of my life. He was open & honest from the start, didn’t make any promises & was real about what we were up against. What I appreciate about Josh is that he knows what he’s doing. I consulted with other attorneys & it seemed like a cash grab with them – but with Josh I could tell he had experience. There was a good chance my petition could have been denied, but Josh worked it through to put up the best fight we could & it really paid off.
-CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, USN
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Why Choose Military Justice Attorneys?

Experienced Representation in Complex Navy Appeals

Our attorneys have argued cases involving digital forensics, classified material, forensic science, sexual assault, violent crimes, and high-profile allegations.

Former Judge Advocates With Deep Insight Into Trial and Appellate Systems

We understand how trial errors occur—and how to expose them effectively at the appellate level.

Dedicated, Personalized Advocacy for Every Sailor

You work directly with an experienced attorney who explains the process clearly, develops a targeted appellate strategy, and fights for the justice you deserve. These strengths make Military Justice Attorneys a trusted choice among Sailors seeking experienced court-martial lawyers and appellate defense counsel.

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Court-Martial Appeals FAQs

Can I appeal my case if I pled guilty?

Yes. Even guilty pleas can be appealed if the judge made legal errors, the plea was improperly accepted, or your attorney failed to advise you fully. Appeals may also challenge sentencing or conditions of confinement.

How long does the Navy appeals process take?

The appellate process can take months to more than a year, depending on the length of the trial record, the number of issues, and the appellate court’s docket. Your attorney tracks deadlines, updates you regularly, and pushes for timely review.

What if new evidence proves my innocence?

Newly discovered evidence may be grounds for relief, reconsideration, or even a new trial. An appellate attorney can file motions or petitions demonstrating how the new evidence changes the case outcome.

Can a civilian attorney handle a Navy court-martial appeal?

Yes. Civilian court-martial attorneys often devote more time and resources to each case than military-appointed counsel and can bring extensive appellate experience to complex legal issues.

What happens if the appeal is denied?

You may still pursue relief through CAAF, the Supreme Court (rarely), clemency requests, parole boards, or correction of records through the BCNR. Many Sailors continue to obtain relief long after the initial appeal is denied.

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Your Court-Martial Isn’t the Final Chapter—Appeal Your Case

Schedule a confidential consultation with a Navy court-martial appeal attorney who can help fight unjust convictions and restore your future.

Contact Us When Your Future 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.

Available 24/7 to Help Anyone in the World

(843) 755-6535
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