Why You Should Hire a Military Attorney for Your Court-Martial in Colorado

If you are in the U.S. military and are court-martialed, you are facing serious charges that could have life-altering consequences. You will need a reliable, knowledgeable defense attorney to represent you with your proceedings and fight for a positive outcome. If you are court-martialed in Colorado, you should get in touch with an experienced Colorado military attorney as soon as possible. The more time that your attorney has to work on your case, the better your chances of a successful trial.

What Does it Mean to Be Court Martialed?

The term court-martialed refers to a legal proceeding for people in the U.S. military. The military court is separate from civilian court in that those in military court are held to certain rules and regulations that are specific to those who are enlisted. If you are court-martialed, you are being charged with violating military law. Some common reasons why you might be court-martialed include, but are not limited to:

• Going AWOL: If you are absent without leave (AWOL) for a long period of time or have repeated AWOL offenses, you might be court-martialed and face severe penalties.
• Committing Fraud: If you engage in any sort of financial misconduct or fraudulent activity, you can face serious legal consequences.
• Engaging in Sexual Misconduct: If you are accused of sexual assault, harassment, abuse, or any other sort of sexual misconduct, you can be court-martialed.
• Committing a Criminal Offense: If you break the law in any way by participating in criminal activity like theft, drug crimes, or battery, you can face military consequences.

Any other violation of military regulation can lead to being court-martialed. For instance, if you commit battery, theft, murder, or any other crime that is also against the law for civilians, you can expect to get in trouble with the military, too. If you are concerned about the charges against you, you should get in touch with a legal professional as soon as possible.

What Are the Types of Court Martials?

There are three types of court martials. The type that you encounter in your case will depend on what you are being charged with,

• Summary Courts-Martial: These are the least severe and do not typically require a military judge. In these cases, if you are found guilty, you might face a period of confinement, labor, and a reduction in your rank.
• Special Courts-Martial: Serious cases have to go to a trial in which a military judge, military attorneys, and a panel of at least three service members are involved in your proceedings. In these cases, you will face harsh consequences, including dishonorable discharge.
• General Courts-Martial: The most severe cases go to trial before a panel of at least five members, who are typically senior officers and a military judge who oversees the proceedings. It is vital that you hire a seasoned military lawyer to defend you in a general court-martial, as this is where you will face the harshest consequences, such as forfeiture of your pay, time in jail, dishonorable discharge, and more.

How Can a Military Attorney Help You?

If you are court-martialed, you need to get in touch with a military attorney as soon as you can before your court proceeding. Your attorney can review the facts of your case and provide advice tailored to your situation. They can also address any questions or concerns you might have and help set your expectations for the complex process that lies ahead of you.

Your military attorney will do everything in their power to stand up for you in your trial. They can collect evidence that supports an argument that you are not guilty, or they might use it to negotiate a light sentence. Without the help of a defense lawyer who has proven success helping members of the armed forces who are court-martialed, you are unlikely to receive the most positive outcome that is possible.

FAQs About Military Attorney for Your Court-Martial in Colorado

What Happens If You Get Court-Martialed in the Military?

If you are court-martialed, you face charges with serious legal consequences. Depending on the severity of your charge, you might have to go before a trial in which your case is presented before a panel. You should get in touch with a military attorney to review your case and represent you if you want a strong chance of a positive outcome.

What Are The 3 Types of Court-Martial?

The three types of court-martial are summary court-martial, special court-martial, and general court-martial. The types that you might encounter for your charge will depend on how severe your charges are. If your case is serious enough to be a special court-martial or a general court-martial, you should be prepared for a trial and have a military lawyer working on your case who will fight for your rights.

What Are the Punishments for Court-Martial?

If you are found guilty, the punishments that you will face for court-martial will depend on a lot of factors. For instance, they will depend on what you were convicted of and the severity of your actions. For example, if you were AWOL and this was a repeat offense, then you will likely face harsher penalties than if it was your first offense. Punishments include fines, loss of benefits and income, dishonorable discharge, fines, and sometimes jail time, depending on the crime.

Who Is Subject to Military Law?

If you are serving in the Armed Forces in any capacity, you are subject to military law at all times. If you violate the rules and regulations of the military or commit a civilian offense such as theft, then you can be court-martialed and face negative consequences such as dishonorable discharge.

Contact A Reliable Military Attorney for Your Court-Martial in Colorado

At The Law Center P.C., we have extensive experience defending clients with complex military court cases. We understand the severity of a court-martial, and we can fiercely fight for you against the charges you are facing. If you would like to consult with us on your court-martial case, contact us today.