Why Choose Us?
90% Acquittal Rate*
Our track record speaks for itself.
*Past results are not a guarantee of future results
Flat Fee Rates – No Hidden Fees
Know exactly what to expect with transparent pricing.
Available 24 / 7
We understand the urgency, we’re always available.
Specialists in He-Said-She-Said Cases
We excel in complex cases, where it’s one person’s word against another’s.
If Army CID has contacted you at the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade, or any command in the National Capital Region, the case against you is already being built. Agents have likely interviewed people in your unit, requested your devices, and started assembling a report — all before you were told you were the subject. What you do in the next 24 to 48 hours will shape everything that follows.
Why the Investigation Stage Decides the Case
By the time charges are preferred, the record is set. CID has taken statements, imaged phones, pulled messages, and written its findings. Everything after that becomes an argument about a file someone else built while you waited.
Four things are happening to you right now, whether or not you are ever charged:
- You are flagged before you are charged. A flag or legal hold stops promotions, awards, schools, PCS moves, and separation or retirement on schedule.
- Titling follows you. Being titled places your name in federal criminal databases. It does not automatically clear if the case closes without charges, if no probable cause is found, or even after an acquittal.
- Your clearance is exposed. An open investigation can trigger suspension or review — often the hardest part of a career to rebuild.
- You have no appointed counsel yet. Military-appointed defense counsel is generally detailed after charges are preferred. The investigative phase, which decides whether charges come at all, passes without it.
CID Investigations at Washington, DC Commands
The National Capital Region is not a typical duty station. Cases here often involve senior leadership, joint commands, and personnel holding clearances that make even an unresolved allegation career-ending. Allegations at the Pentagon or a headquarters element draw scrutiny that a similar case elsewhere would not.
Cases originating at DC-area commands are frequently handled at the installation holding jurisdiction rather than in the District itself, which means the venue, the convening authority, and the prosecutors may not be where you are stationed. We handle that logistics problem so you can focus on your defense.
The Process: What to Expect
Initial Consultation
Contact us for a free case evaluation. We’ll discuss your charges and outline the strongest defense strategy.
Case Review
We review every aspect of your case — evidence, witness statements, investigative procedure, and OSTC referral package.
Trial Preparation
We build a defense strategy tailored to your case — motions, expert witnesses, and a complete trial plan.
The Verdict
Whether it’s a jury trial or judge-alone trial, we fight for your acquittal and your future.
What To Do Right Now
| What To Do | What NOT To Do |
| Invoke Article 31(b) out loud. Say you are exercising your right to remain silent and want an attorney present. Then say nothing further about the allegation. | Do not explain yourself to agents. A truthful, well-meant statement can be recorded out of context and used against you. |
| Write down what you remember. Dates, times, who was present, what was said. Keep it for your attorney only. | Do not consent to a search. You may decline. Consent hands over your phone and everything on it without a magistrate reviewing it. |
| Preserve your own evidence. Do not delete messages, photos, or call logs — including ones you think look bad. Deletion becomes its own allegation. | Do not contact the accuser or witnesses. Even an apology can be charged as obstruction or witness intimidation. |
| Call a civilian defense attorney before the interview. Not after. The interview is the part of the record you can still control. | Do not assume your command will protect you. Once CID is involved, your chain of command is part of the process that decides your case. |
Contact us today. Your military career depends on it.
Protect Your Rights, Career, and Future
With a 90% acquittal rate and decades of military defense experience, we have helped service members clear their names and keep their careers. We are here to protect your rights, your career, and your future.
What Our Clients Say
“Hired Lance as my legal representative for an investigation I came under as AD Army. Peace of mind and a subject matter expert on military law was what I got in my 8 months of working with him. In the end, nothing that affected my rank, retirement or my future disability claim came out of the ordeal. Highly recommend !!!”
washington dc ACtive duty Service Member
“Lance was not just my attorney but also a trusted confidant. He was always there to promptly answer my calls and emails, offering reassurance and guidance when I needed it most. His proactive approach and meticulous attention to detail ensured that my case was thoroughly prepared, giving me confidence in the courtroom. I cannot recommend Lance Wood highly enough to anyone in need of a compassionate and highly skilled defense attorney. He truly goes above and beyond for his clients, and I am incredibly grateful for everything he has done for me”
Washington dc active duty service member
| MILITARY TRIAL DEFENDERS | |||
| Competitive Differentiator Analysis | Why Clients Choose MTD | |||
| DIFFERENTIATOR | Military Trial Defenders | National Security–Focused Military Defense Firm | General Court-Martial Defense Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90% Acquittal Rate | ★ STRONG | ◐ MIXED | ◐ MIXED |
| 24/7 Availability & 24–48hr Response Guarantee | ★ STRONG | ◐ MIXED | ◐ MIXED |
| Transparent Flat-Fee Billing | ★ STRONG | ◐ MIXED | × WEAK |
| Pre-Charge / Investigation-Stage Engagement | ★ STRONG | ◐ MIXED | ◐ MIXED |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Article 31(b) of the UCMJ gives you the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present. Agents must advise you of those rights before questioning you about a suspected offense.
You can decline. Say clearly that you are invoking your Article 31(b) rights and want to speak with an attorney, then stop. Invoking is not evidence of guilt and cannot be used against you. Our step-by-step guide to the CID investigation process explains what happens at each stage, and you can reach us for a confidential consultation any hour.
Once charges are referred to a general court-martial, you will receive formal written notice and be assigned a military defense counsel at no cost. You also have the right — and we strongly recommend — hiring a civilian military defense attorney. An Article 32 preliminary hearing officer will evaluate the evidence and make a recommendation to the convening authority, who then makes the final referral decision. After referral, your trial date is set and the clock starts. Contact Military Trial Defenders immediately after charges are preferred — every day of pre-trial preparation matters.
We use flat fee rates with no hidden fees. You are quoted a defined price for a defined scope before you retain us, so you are not choosing between calling your attorney and controlling your costs.
Fees depend on the allegation, the stage the case is in, and where it will be tried. Our guide to what a military lawyer costs covers the variables, and a consultation will get you a real number.
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Anything you say to investigators can and will be used against you.
Contact our Washington, DC military defense team immediately, before speaking to anyone about your case.
Treat that as a reason for more caution, not less. Status can change during a single interview, and statements made as a “witness” stay in the record if you later become the subject.
Ask whether you are free to leave, decline to answer questions about the allegation, and call an attorney first. This matters most in military sexual assault cases, where the accounts of everyone interviewed early get measured against each other later.
