We see it every single day – a potential client calls us and tells us that they were accused of a crime but didn’t get an attorney until it was too late. In some cases, that means that the military member has been confronted by investigators, read their Article 31 rights, and decided to talk about what happened, and now they’re afraid that they said something wrong. In other cases, a military member accepts an Article 15 or nonjudicial punishment thinking their command will take it easy on them because they didn’t do what they’re alleged to have done, but now their punishment has impacted their career forever. In even worse cases, a military member takes a plea deal and is now sitting in jail regretting their decision.
All of these circumstances have one critical lesson – you need to get an experience, capable lawyer right away. And at every step along the way, you need to show strength. The military justice process is often long and stressful. Showing strength the entire time can ensure that your case ends with the best possible outcome.
Showing Strength During the Investigation
Every single day, the attorneys at Golden Law see investigations gone awry. Collectively, we have been in the military justice “business” for decades. We have a combined experience of 30+ years, and all of us have worked on complex cases involving lengthy investigations. Over our years doing this work, we have learned the importance of showing strength during the investigation.
One way that we always encourage our clients to show strength is by resisting the efforts of investigators. Criminal investigators will do anything to get you to talk. They will bring you into their offices, have friendly conversations with you (what they call “rapport building”), and try and get you to waive your rights and talk about the allegations. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, you have the absolute right to remain silent. There is strength in silence. It allows your attorneys to reveal “your side of the story” only when it creates the best advantage for your case. When you bring an experienced attorney on board early, you get the benefit of working with that attorney before the investigators try to get you to talk. Working as a “team,” you and your attorney can make the best decisions for your case.
Also, you want a team of attorneys that will do everything in their power to investigate your innocence. At Golden Law, we pride ourselves on hustling during your investigation. We work very hard to interview witnesses before the criminal investigators do. We find evidence before they do. We know the facts of a case before the prosecutor does. Taking early and decisive action in the investigation shows strength, and it benefits our clients in the long-term.
In sports, coaches and players often talk about “turning defense into offense.” We believe the same applies to investigations and military justice cases. We show strength by turning defense into offense, by making good decisions about the case and investigating the allegations before the government does. Showing strength in this way leads to great outcomes for our clients.
Showing Strength When “Charged”
There are a few critical moments in any case, and one of them is when you are charged. Sometimes this means being offered nonjudicial punishment, or an Article 15. Sometimes this means court-martial charges. Sometimes it means discharge, or administrative separation, paperwork.
At this critical time in your case, showing strength is paramount. Working with an experienced defense counsel will allow you to make the best decision about whether to even accept nonjudicial punishment, or whether to demand court-martial instead. Working with an experienced defense counsel will also allow you to reject “plea deals” when such agreements are not in your best interest. In every case, showing strength means showing your command and your accuser that you are not just going to roll over and accept what is happening. Showing strength means showing everyone that you are going to fight for yourself, your future, and your freedom.
Showing Strength Until the End
Another thing the attorneys at Golden Law always say is “never stop fighting.” We never stop fighting for you. During the investigation, when you are charged, and all throughout the military justice process, we fight for the best outcome for our clients.
That means showing strength at every turn. The attorneys at Golden Law have the experience, the knowledge, and the confidence to go toe-to-toe with any investigator, prosecutor, or commander. We’ve been in court with the most experienced prosecutors and judges. We’ve cross-examined four-star Generals. We’ve fought the hardest fights.
For you, the outcome of your case has tremendous impact. You could lose your rank, your career, or even your freedom. At Golden Law, we have the experience and confidence to never stop fighting. If that means demanding court-martial instead of accepting an Article 15, so be it. If that means spending long hours investigating a case and hustling to find evidence before the prosecutors do, so be it. It that means rejecting plea deals and taking your case to a jury trial, so be it. Our team is ready to show the strength that’s necessary to achieve the best result.
At a time in your life when so much is on the line, showing strength at every step is of the utmost importance.
