Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Marine Corps Base Hawaii, formerly known as Marine Air Base Kaneohe Bay, is one of the US military’s most important strategic centers in the Pacific Ocean. More than 10,000 personnel perform critical duties at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and some of these service members will inevitably face legal entanglements that could jeopardize their military careers.

Experienced Defense Counsel for Marine Corps Base Hawaii Clients

If you are stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and have been issued an Article 15 or arrested by military police for a crime, it is natural to worry about the potential penalties you face and what you can do to defend yourself against the charges filed against you. All members of the US military have the same right to legal representation as a civilian when they are accused of a crime, but the judicial process for members of the military is very different from civilian criminal court.

Aaron Meyer Law can provide the aggressive defense representation you need when faced with administrative separation or court-martial in Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The judicial system of the military moves very quickly compared to the pace of civilian criminal court proceedings, and it is essential to find military criminal defense representation you can trust if you are accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in any way.

Why You Need a Marine Corps Base Hawaii Military Criminal Defense Attorney

The UCMJ is the code of conduct and a unique set of laws that apply to members of the United States Armed Forces. While the UCMJ includes many Articles that mirror the criminal laws that apply to civilians, there are also many Articles that uphold standards of conduct that do not apply to civilians. There are many actions that, while not illegal in any way for a civilian, could lead to severe disciplinary action for a member of the military. Additionally, the military criminal justice system moves far more quickly than most civilian criminal cases, adding extra pressure to the service member charged with a UCMJ violation.

Members of the military have the right to legal representation when they are accused of a crime under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution. Therefore, if you have been charged with any UCMJ violation, it is not only vital to exercise this right and secure defense representation but to find a criminal defense attorney familiar with military criminal justice procedures.

A Marine Corps Base Hawaii military criminal defense attorney is the best asset to have on your side. Attorney Aaron Meyer leverages his experience as a former US Marine and Judge Advocate to provide comprehensive defense counsel to every client. If your military career is at stake after an accusation that you have violated the UCMJ in any way, our team can assist you in building the most effective defense possible.

Types of Military Criminal Cases We Handle

When a civilian is charged with a crime, the court can appoint a public defender to represent them at no cost if they are unable or unwilling to hire private defense representation. Members of the military have the option for detailed military defense attorneys to act in similar capacities, but it is always best to invest in private criminal defense representation if you have the means to do so.

Each branch of the military follows the UCMJ, but each branch follows different procedures when it comes to addressing UCMJ violations and related military court proceedings. The military has different levels of disciplinary action that can be used to address all types of UCMJ violations:

• An Article 15 hearing is the standard option for resolving disciplinary issues that are not criminal in nature. Article 15 is essentially a formal warning from a commanding officer that allows the commanding officer to issue a uniquely tailored nonjudicial punishment to correct the defendant’s behavior.
• Administrative separation could come into play in response to consistently poor performance, failure to meet physical fitness standards or other problems that, while not necessarily criminal in nature, indicate the service member has been deemed unfit to continue their military career. A Marine Corps Base Hawaii military criminal defense attorney can help a service member in this situation make a compelling case to retain their military career.
• Court-martial is reserved for serious violations of the UCMJ. A special court-martial process typically follows UCMJ violations reflective of misdemeanor offenses for civilians, and the general court-martial process applies to felony-level violations. Penalties for a conviction can vary dramatically based on the service member’s military record, any past offenses they may have committed, and the severity of their current offense.

It’s vital for every US service member to understand the severity of the potential penalties they face if court-martialed. The defendant may be sentenced to confinement in a military prison, required to forfeit pay and allowances, and their military career could be jeopardized. Service members convicted of minor UCMJ violations may be permitted to remain in the military, but they are likely to face an extensive pay cut and a demotion in rank. Advancing their military career will also be much more difficult. Severe UCMJ violations are likely to lead to a dishonorable discharge, imprisonment, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and various other penalties.

When you are charged with a UCMJ violation and wonder about the penalties you could face, it is vital to understand that the effects of your conviction will follow you into civilian life. For example, a dishonorable discharge will severely limit employment options, preclude you from various government aid programs, and generally make your life exceedingly difficult in many ways.

Military Defense Counsel You Can Trust

Attorney Aaron Meyer and the team at Aaron Meyer Law have maintained a perfect record of military criminal defense representation due to their unwavering commitment to protecting clients’ rights. Attorney Meyer will carefully review the details of your case, help you assess the best defenses available to you, and provide responsive guidance throughout all stages of your case. Time is a crucial concern for any military service member facing any type of judicial proceedings.

Speak with a reliable Marine Corps Base Hawaii military criminal defense attorney about your case today. Contact Aaron Meyer Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how our team can assist you.