The Case for a Civilian Military Attorney

If you are facing a general court-martial or special court-martial, you may be feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, and unsure how to move forward. In the midst of such a trying and complex situation, you owe it to yourself to seek out the support and assistance of a seasoned civilian military attorney.

Why Hire a Civilian Military Attorney?

When a member of the United States military faces allegations or charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a military attorney from the JAG defense counsel is randomly assigned to handle the details of his or her case. The provision of a defense representative is an important feature in military law, and we recognize the value of free counsel. Even so, JAG defense counsel are not typically detailed until after a situation has been investigated and the military member is charged with an offense. This leaves you at a disadvantage, as your assigned military representative will be coming in late in the game.

Moreover, JAG defense counsel – no matter how educated, sincere, or well intentioned – are typically handling a massive case load. Because most assigned military lawyers are overworked, they may not be able to provide you with the support you need and desire. During a time when you likely feeling isolated by your command and are in dire need of emotional, moral, and legal support, you want to know that you are in good hands. The experience and skill of your lawyer will make all the difference as you work to secure your defense. 

You Have the Absolute Right to Choose Your Lawyer

The UCMJ gives service members the absolute right to be represented by a lawyer of their choosing. If you do decide to work with a civilian military attorney, you do not have to forfeit your JAG attorney. You have the option to work with both, essentially getting two lawyers for the price of one. When you are facing potentially life-changing allegations and administrative action, you will likely want all of the legal support you can obtain.

A civilian military attorney will perform his or her own investigation, sorting out the details of your case apart from government evidence. After investigating, your civilian attorney will work with you to develop a plan: either working to get the charges reduced or dismissed, or crafting an effective defense strategy. A solid defense strategy, complete with strong evidence, can make or break a case. A civilian military attorney will keep in consistent and open communication with you to make sure your case is presented properly.

Choosing the Right Civilian Attorney

At Military Trial Defenders, we are committed to providing the best legal support to our clients. Our lawyers have served as JAG attorneys and left active duty military careers to work in civilian military law. Our wealth of experience and passion for defending those who defend our country set us apart from other law firms. Having the best possible defense on your side will help you to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. If you are facing a challenging and discouraging legal battle, we are here to support you. Contact us today.