Military Justice at Ft. Cavazos: Why Soldiers Should Consider Hiring a Civilian Attorney
Fort Cavazos is one of the largest military installations in the world, housing over 40,000 active duty soldiers and their families. While the military justice system is responsible for handling cases involving service members accused of crimes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), it is important for soldiers to understand the benefits of hiring a civilian defense attorney if they find themselves facing criminal charges.
What is the Uniform Code of Military Justice?
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is the legal system that governs the behavior of all military personnel. It is a federal law that applies to all branches of the military, and covers a wide range of offenses, from minor infractions to serious crimes. These crimes include sexual assault, drug use, domestic violence, theft, and more. The military justice system is unique in that it operates outside of the civilian court system, and has its own set of rules and procedures.
The Importance of Hiring a Civilian Attorney
While service members are entitled to a military defense attorney, there are several reasons why they may choose to hire a civilian attorney instead:
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- Experience: Civilian defense attorneys typically have more experience handling criminal cases than military defense attorneys, who may be handling their first or second case.
- Objectivity: Military defense attorneys are employees of the military and may be influenced by their superiors or the military chain of command. Civilian defense attorneys are independent and can provide an objective assessment of the case.
- Experience: Civilian defense attorneys may have exceptional experience in certain areas of military and criminal law, such as sexual assault or drug offenses, which can be beneficial for service members facing specific charges.
- Communication: Civilian defense attorneys are not subject to the same restrictions as military defense attorneys when it comes to communicating with their clients. This means that civilian attorneys can communicate more freely and openly with their clients.
Types of Military Justice at Fort Cavazos
Military justice accounts for a large range of alleged wrongdoing. Military justice attorneys handle serious felony-level offenses like murder, sexual assault, and serious drug and financial crimes in a court-martial. There are several levels of courts-martial and can result in serious punishments, such as lengthy confinement and dishonorable discharge.
The vast majority of military offenses are handled through more minor administrative disciplinary actions. Many military criminal allegations are addressed through the Article 15 process, also known as non-judicial punishment (NJP). Even a single NJP can be enough to end an Army career, or worse, result in a discharge under less than honorable terms.
Army justice is also often handled through General Officer Memorandum of Reprimands (GOMORs). GOMORs are often used by command to quickly discipline a soldier without providing the same rights a soldier has to defend themselves in an NJP or even at a court-martial. An experienced attorney will challenge a GOMOR head-on, whereas, many military defense attorneys simply do not have the bandwith to provide much help with a GOMOR. A GOMOR must be fought because it will likely lead to further administrative action, including discharge.
Finally, administrative discharge is ordinarily used by the Army to discharge soldiers when they didn’t have enough evidence for a punitive discharge at court-martial, or simply because they see it as the most expedient path to getting “rid” of a soldier. Too many soldiers fail to fight a discharge, hoping they will be able to later appeal the discharge characterization. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about discharge upgrades and it is important to know that it is very unlikely to get a discharge upgrade after the fact.
Statistics on Crime at Fort Cavazos
According to data from the U.S. Department of Defense, Fort Cavazos had the highest number of sexual assaults of any Army installation in the country in 2019, with a total of 199 reported cases. The base has also had a significant number of other crimes, including domestic violence, drug use, and theft.
Golden Law at Fort Cavazos
Golden Law, Inc. is a highly experienced law firm that focuses on defending military personnel accused of crimes under the UCMJ. Our firm has a proven track record of success, and has helped countless soldiers at Fort Cavazos and other military installations achieve favorable outcomes in their cases.
In addition to our experience and expertise, our attorneys are known for their compassionate and personalized approach to legal representation. We understand the unique challenges facing military personnel and their families, and work tirelessly to defend their clients’ rights and interests.
Our attorneys travel all over the world to assist soldiers wherever they are stationed. In many cases, the best civilian military attorneys begin their representation remotely, but as the case progresses, the attorneys will provide the necessary in-person representation. Many bases have local attorneys with offices setup right outside the base, but while that may seem convenient, many of these attorneys have limited military law experience and are much more focused on gaining a high volume of local clients.
If you are in trouble in the military, you want the best, no matter where that attorney is located. Our attorneys have cases at Fort Cavazos multiple times per year and provide all of the same services as a local attorney, but with the highest quality and with the most experience imaginable.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges under the UCMJ, it is important to consider all of your legal options, including hiring a civilian defense attorney. With its high rates of crime, soldiers at Fort Cavazos may benefit greatly from the specialized expertise of the attorneys at Golden Law. Don’t wait – contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your rights and options.
