Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

All United States Armed Forces members are required to abide by the Articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) at all times. This set of laws applies exclusively to members of the military, both enlisted service members and officers alike. The UCMJ also includes a code of conduct to encourage good moral character and esprit de corps among service members. Whenever a member of the military violates the UCMJ, their penalties can be incredibly harsh, potentially impacting the rest of their life in various ways.

Defense Representation for US Service Members Charged With UCMJ Violations at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twenty nine Palms, CA

If you or a loved one is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twenty nine Palms in California, it’s vital to have defense representation you can trust if you are charged with any violation of the UCMJ. The right defense attorney can make a tremendous impact on the outcome of your case, potentially helping you avoid severe penalties and preserving your military career.

Attorney Aaron Meyer and the team at Aaron Meyer Law have extensive professional experience providing robust criminal defense representation to members of all branches of the military stationed throughout the country. As a former US Marine and experienced military attorney, Attorney Aaron Meyer is uniquely skilled and capable in military criminal cases. Our firm has maintained a perfect record thanks to Attorney Meyer’s unwavering dedication to protecting the rights of his fellow military service members.

Benefits of Defense Representation for Your Case at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twenty nine Palms

Every American has the right to defense representation when they are accused of a crime. Similarly, when a US service member is accused of violating the UCMJ, they have the right to defense representation. Some service members may elect to have detailed military defense attorneys from within their branches of service defend them. However, similar to public defenders who represent civilians accused of crimes free of charge, detailed military attorneys typically have very packed schedules due to the number of cases they must handle. Therefore, you can expect more personal attention and greater professional care in your defense if you hire a private California military criminal defense attorney to represent you.

While there are some similarities between UCMJ court proceedings and civilian criminal court proceedings, the former tend to unfold much more quickly. Time is a crucial concern for any US service member charged with violating the UCMJ. The legal department handling their case will likely strive for the most efficient proceedings possible, and the defendant may have very little time to secure legal counsel and begin constructing their defense.

If you have been wrongfully accused of violating the UCMJ, you will need defense representation capable of helping you clear your name. You may also need to gather exculpatory evidence and/or statements from witnesses to support your case. Ultimately, every criminal case is unique, but any case unfolding within a military branch’s internal UCMJ process requires experienced legal counsel from a California military criminal defense attorney you can trust. Attorney Aaron Meyer has successfully represented many US service members stationed throughout the country. If your case will unfold at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twenty nine Palms, Aaron Meyer Law can provide the responsive defense representation you need to approach the situation with confidence and peace of mind.

How Are Crimes Prosecuted in the Military?

Every branch of the United States Armed Forces has internal legal challenges to resolving criminal charges filed against their active duty service members. There are various levels of criminal proceedings a military service member may face depending on the severity of their actions. Minor offenses could lead to Article 15 hearings, and a service member’s commanding officer will have the discretion to determine the service member’s future.

More serious offenses could lead to court-martial proceedings against the defendant. The special court-martial process primarily addresses less severe offenses equivalent to misdemeanors in civilian criminal court, while the general court-martial process pertains to more serious offenses equivalent to felonies. If a service member commits a very serious offense during wartime, such as a violent war crime, they will likely face a military tribunal and the harshest penalties possible under the UCMJ.

A military service member’s criminal court process is very different from the standard criminal court process a civilian can expect when charged with a crime. For example, most military criminal cases do not undergo a jury trial. Instead, a panel of judges will determine the fate of the accused after carefully reviewing relevant evidence and testimony. Sentencing is also more streamlined in military court proceedings, with most defendants proceeding directly to sentencing upon conviction.

Ultimately, a criminal case within any branch of the military can present many unique challenges and unfold in various ways. Therefore, if you want the best chance of avoiding the worst penalties possible for your changes, you must secure defense counsel you can trust.

Potential Penalties for Criminal Conviction in the Military

The UCMJ not only includes a comprehensive list of various criminal offenses a service member may commit and their associated penalties but also codes of conduct that hold military members to higher standards than civilians in many ways. For example, some articles of the UCMJ prescribe formal penalties for offenses that are not considered crimes for civilians, such as committing adultery against a spouse. As a result, you may be surprised to discover the charges filed against you entail much harsher penalties than you originally anticipated.

Members of the military convicted of UCMJ violations can face incarceration in military prison, demotion in rank, fines, or even forfeiture of the pay and allowances they have received from the military. In addition, in severe cases, defendants could be forcibly discharged from military service, ending their military career prematurely, preventing them from reenlisting, and causing a host of problems in their civilian life in the future.

Anyone dishonorably discharged from any branch of the military could have trouble finding work as a civilian. In addition, they may be barred from claiming some types of government benefits and struggle to qualify for financial aid for school or other forms of financing. Ultimately, a conviction in military court can ruin the defendant’s life in various ways. For the best chance of successfully defending against criminal charges at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twenty nine Palms, connect with an experienced California military criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Contact Aaron Meyer Law today to schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we provide to US service members at Twenty nine Palms.