People accused of wrongdoing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) may be required to participate in a court-martial trial. Court-martials are criminal trials for military service members who have been accused of committing crimes set forth in the UCMJ's Punitive Articles. Article 32 of the UCMJ allows an investigation, which is like a pretrial hearing in state or federal civil court, to move forward. The goal of the investigation is to determine whether a crime was committed and whether there is probable cause to think that the person who was accused committed the crime. Military defense lawyer Philip D. Cave has defended service members against charges of sexual assault, manslaughter, fraud, aiding the enemy, fraternization, drug offenses, AWOL violations, computer crimes, mutiny, desertion, drunk on duty, insubordination, and larceny.

If the accused is found guilty, they may face serious punishments. These punishments could include forfeiture of pay, confinement, and reduction in rank. If the charge is a sex crime, there may be the additional “penalty” of registering as a sex offender. Sometimes the accused loses the ability to own firearms. Court-martial trials follow the same rules and procedures, including those related to evidence, as those that are used in federal trials in district court.

Mr. Cave also represents clients in court-martial appeals. If you have been convicted of an offense at court-martial, the conviction can be devastating. Some courts-martial are automatically appealed, but you are entitled to appeal any adverse ruling under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Court-martial appeals are like appeals from decisions made in federal district court. However, there are issues unique to military court because of the military enforcement of good order and discipline.

In the appeal, your military defense attorney will need to establish that an error in the proceeding adversely affected the outcome of the court-martial. Errors that can form a basis for an appeal include abuse of authority, errors while collecting proof, procedural violations, factual errors, and failures in how the UCMJ was interpreted and applied.

Mr. Cave has handled many kinds of adverse administrative actions, including non-judicial punishment matters (Article 15), performance reviews, adverse officer evaluation reports, denials or revocations of promotions, letters of reprimand, reductions of position, loss of pay, job status changes, and discharges. If you are offered an Article 15 action, you are notified that the commander believes that you have perpetrated one or more offenses under the UCMJ. You can accept the Article 15, or you can turn it down and demand trial by court-martial. Acceptance of Article 15 is not an admission of guilt, but it is a decision to have the commander determine whether you are guilty of specified offenses, rather than having your case heard by a court-martial. In most cases, you have the right to consult with an attorney before making a choice. You have the right to present your case if you accept the Article 15, but before you decide, you should consult with a military defense attorney if possible.

Even if an offense does not call for a court-martial, a finding of guilt in an adverse administrative action can be damaging to your reputation and your prospects in the military. A poor performance evaluation can have a negative impact, such as the possibility of an administrative discharge or denial of promotion. It is important to use every available method to avoid a guilty finding and exclude damaging documentation from your file.

Getting or retaining a security clearance can be vital to your career, even after you leave active duty. You may be discharged from the service or denied a promotion if you lose your security clearance. If you do not receive a security clearance, your professional goals may become challenging to attain. However, you should not lose hope if you do not initially receive the clearance that you seek. Philip D. Cave understands the magnitude of what is at stake in these matters. He can investigate the situation and help you argue that you are not a security risk, such that you should be eligible for a security clearance.

We also handle cases in the Federal Court of Claims, such as claims for back pay and loss of pay. The Federal Court of Claims is empowered to consider monetary claims that are based on the Constitution, federal laws, executive regulations, and contracts with the United States. The Federal Court of Claims deals with service member claims related to military pay. This category of claims may address personnel decisions, including unlawful discharge, denial of promotion, failure to make proper determinations as to disabilities and medical conditions, and involuntary retirement.

For example, if you are a service member who was improperly separated from active duty in the U.S. military without being referred to a medical board for a disability evaluation, you may have a claim for active duty pay for the period of wrongful discharge under the Military Pay Act, 37 U.S.C. section 204.

Mr. Cave’s motto is “Have briefcase (and Internet), will travel.” He represents military service members around the country and overseas. If you are a member of the military, you have different rights and duties than do civilians. Different rules will apply to any offenses with which you are charged. It is crucial to retain an attorney who understands these rules. Military defense lawyer Philip D. Cave has dedicated his career to this practice area, assisting service members who have been charged with UCMJ violations or who are dealing with other issues that are specific to this context. Whether you are stationed in San Diego or Korea, Mr. Cave can work with you to develop a strong understanding of your case and provide aggressive representation. Call us at 800-401-1583 or contact us through our online form to find out how we can help you.