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Government, Benefits & Rights

Military Law & Court-Martial Defense

Facing a court-martial, Article 15, administrative separation or security-clearance issue? What a civilian military defense lawyer does and how to find one.

Service members accused of misconduct face a separate justice system — the UCMJ — with its own rules, and administrative actions that can end a career without any court. Free military defense counsel is available, but many service members add a civilian lawyer with court-martial experience. Military lawyers also handle discharge upgrades, security-clearance denials, MEB/PEB disability boards and SCRA protections.

What a military defense lawyer does

  • Defends courts-martial, Article 15 proceedings and administrative separation boards
  • Represents you in command investigations and with law-enforcement interviews
  • Appeals security-clearance denials and pursues discharge upgrades
  • Advises on SCRA rights for leases, loans and civil cases while deployed

When you need a military defense lawyer

  • You were read your Article 31 rights or told you are under investigation
  • You received charges, an Article 15 or a notification of separation
  • Your clearance is being revoked
  • You want to upgrade a discharge or correct a record

Questions to ask before you hire a military defense lawyer

  1. How many courts-martial have you defended, and in which branch?
  2. How will you work with my detailed military defense counsel?
  3. What are the career and benefit consequences of each option?
  4. Can you travel to my installation?

Find a military defense lawyer near you

Choose your state to see listed firms and the official bar directory for verifying any lawyer’s license.