Our Lawyers Provide Criminal Defense For Military Personnel
Serving the Armed Forces in Fort Campbell, the National Guard Armory and Arnold Air Force Base
Even when deployed stateside, members of the U.S. armed forces are subject to a particular brand of military justice. The military justice process is a system unto itself that has little in common with its civilian counterpart. While many of the crimes that exist under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are similar to civilian crimes, others are unique to the service. JAG defenders carry heavy caseloads and are frequently overworked. However your typical civilian attorney in Clarksville does not have the first idea of how to navigate a military courtroom. Because of our proximity to Fort Campbell, the National Guard Armory and Arnold AFB, we at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC have taken it upon ourselves to maintain proficiency in military criminal law and procedure. We are proud to serve members of our armed forces accused of crime or misconduct by helping them avoid or mitigate the potentially career-ending consequences they are facing.
Types of military proceedings
As in civilian life, conviction of a crime by a court martial can result in imprisonment and monetary forfeiture. However, a number of different processes are available, depending on the severity of the crime or misconduct. Even if the charge against you is not severe enough to warrant imprisonment, it may still be harmful or fatal to your military career. Our attorneys at the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC have experience defending officers and enlisted personnel in Clarksville during all manner of military justice proceedings:
- Discharge hearings – Allegations of misconduct can lead to an involuntary early discharge from the armed services. Those facing this type of penalty must take immediate action if they wish to remain in the service or avoid a discharge under other than honorable conditions, which seriously can impact your eligibility for veteran’s benefits.
- Summary courts-martial – Summary courts-martial are used only for minor offenses and usually do not afford the accused a right to representation unless he or she requests that the case is elevated to a special court martial. This gives you a better opportunity to fight the charges but may also subject you to harsher penalties if you lose. Therefore, it is important to consult an experienced military criminal defense lawyer before making this decision.
- Special courts-martial – Reserved for misconduct of intermediate severity, in many ways similar to a civilian misdemeanor, special courts-martial are still capable of handing down serious penalties, including dishonorable discharge, up to one year of confinement and forfeiture of pay.
- General courts-martial – General courts-martial preside over only the most serious allegations of misconduct and are preceded by lengthy preliminary investigations under Article 32 of the UCMJ. These courts are empowered to hand down any penalty available under military law, including discharge, lengthy incarceration and even capital punishment.
Put your military career in our experienced hands
As one of a limited number of Clarksville law firms with a consistent military criminal defense practice, officers and enlisted personnel have trusted their lives and careers to the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC for more than 18 years. If you are facing administrative separation or a court martial, call us today at 931-444-5620 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Our three Clarksville office locations are conveniently accessible to Fort Campbell, Arnold AFB and the National Guard Armory.
