Georgia Military Defense Lawyers

Your Local Georgia Military Defense Attorney 

At Military Justice Attorneys, our military defense lawyers have over 75 years of combined legal experience defending the rights of U.S. military service members. From court-martial defense to rebuttals against adverse command actions, our Georgia military law attorneys will aggressively protect your rights and defend your hard-earned reputation. 

Our civilian military defense lawyers are hardworking and accessible to clients throughout their case, ensuring their rights are protected while guiding their steps with care and integrity. Our dedicated team understands how daunting it can be to face allegations in the military, criminal or administrative, and are committed to Defending Those Who Defend Us. Contact us today for your free consultation. 

If you’re facing criminal allegations in the military, you deserve an experienced defense. Contact us online to discuss your case with a seasoned attorney.

Military Bases We Serve in Georgia

Our lawyers handle cases throughout Georgia, including: 

• Army
  • Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield 
  • Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon)
  • Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning)
• Air Force
  • Robins Air Force Base 
  • Moody Air Force Base 
  • Dobbins Air Force Base 
• Navy and Marine Corps
  • Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay 
  • Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany    

Experienced Defense in Military Criminal Law

Our firm has over 75 years of combined legal experience, our military defense attorneys are well-equipped to defend your rights in various legal matters. Common military cases we handle include: 

Court-Martial Defense

A court-martial is a legal proceeding conducted within the military justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of members of the armed forces accused of committing military offenses, serving as a military equivalent to civilian criminal courts. 

Our lawyers help Georgia servicemembers navigate the legal intricacies of such proceedings by providing a fortified court-martial defense. We can aggressively defend your rights in court-martial proceedings, including general court-martial, special court-martial, and summary court-martial. 

Our firm has a well-earned reputation for protecting the rights of service members facing various criminal allegations, including:

• Adultery
• Assault & Battery
• AWOL & Desertion
• Domestic Violence
• Drill Sergeant / Instructor Misconduct
• Drug Offenses
• Internet Sex Crimes
• Larceny 
• Manslaughter
• Officer Misconduct
• Recruiter Misconduct
• Sexual Assault

Administrative Separation

Administrative separation boards are military proceedings established to determine whether a service member should be allowed to stay in the military. These cases involve servicemembers who committed an act of misconduct or violated specific regulations, leading their command to initiate administrative separation proceedings.

Our firm represents service members before separation boards, providing sound guidance and advocacy to pursue the best possible outcome in various case types, including officer separations, enlisted separations/chapter boards, and notification procedures. We understand the gravity of these cases, empowering us to offer comprehensive legal support and advocate for your best interests during board proceedings.

Administrative Appeals

Military servicemembers can be subject to various administrative actions and reprimands, each with the potential to impact their military career. Common types of adverse actions include adverse counseling, adverse fitness reports and referred evaluations, Article 138 complaints, demotion appeals, GOMOR rebuttals, DNA expungement, titling actions, and Article 15/non-judicial punishment (NJP).

If these actions are not appealed in the appropriate manner, they can result in severe consequences, such as a reduction in rank, pay grade, or even discharge. Our attorneys help clients navigate administrative appeals before various military boards. With an in-depth understanding of the applicable rules and procedures, we can help you navigate the process and seek justice. 

Court-Martial Appeals

Not every military trial results in just outcomes for U.S. servicemen and women. Court-martial appeals provide an additional layer of protection for servicemembers. If found guilty in a court-martial, servicemembers reserve the right to appeal the verdict and the sentence. The appeal process allows for review and reassessment of the case by a higher authority, ensuring that justice has been served correctly and fairly. 

Clemency is a crucial component of the military justice system, offering an opportunity for the reduction or elimination of the punishment handed down by a court-martial. In some cases, servicemembers can also make a plea to special clemency parole boards. These boards have the power to grant parole or clemency to individuals who demonstrate remorse and the potential for rehabilitation, providing them with a second chance. 

Understanding the complex rules and regulations of the court-martial appeals process can be challenging. It’s crucial to consult with an attorney to ensure compliance with legal processes and pursue the appropriate legal recourse. 

Correction of Records

Every military branch has a Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) to address errors and injustices in the official military records of servicemembers. Correction of records, established under 10 U.S.C. §1552, extends to various record types, including discharges, reenlistment codes, disciplinary matters, performance evaluations, promotion and advancement selections, retirement details, dates of service, disability ratings, medals, and various bonuses and benefits. 

The BCMR plays a crucial role in ensuring accuracy and fairness in military records. If you suspect an error or injustice in your military records, our experienced attorneys can help you file a petition with the appropriate BCMR to correct or remove your records. No matter your branch or rank, we can offer sound counsel to help you navigate the legal process as effectively and efficiently as possible. 

Discharge Upgrade

Our lawyers have extensive experience helping U.S. servicemembers request discharge upgrades. Common cases we handle include: 

• “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: This federal policy governed the military service of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in the U.S. military from 1993 until its repeal in 2011. Although this law allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military, it prohibited them from openly acknowledging their sexual orientation. Despite its repeal, these servicemembers often face discrimination and adverse actions on the basis of sexual orientation. If you suspect your rights were violated, it's crucial to seek experienced representation from a qualified attorney.
• Mental Health Conditions: In certain situations, veterans can seek a discharge upgrade if they believe their previous discharge status was unfair or inappropriate due to the impact of mental health conditions on military service. These cases typically involve veterans wishing to upgrade their discharge after receiving other-than-honorable (OTH) discharges. 
• PTSD & TBI: Active-duty servicemembers or veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be eligible to request discharge upgrades after OTH discharges. It's imperative to work with a qualified attorney to navigate the complexities of these cases and establish that PTSD or TBI contributed to the alleged misconduct, but wasn't properly considered at the time of discharge.
• Sexual Assault & Harassment: Requests for discharge upgrades due to sexual assault and harassment generally involve veterans who received OTH discharges due to allegations of sexual assault or harassment. The servicemember must present compelling evidence that their discharge status should be upgraded because it was influenced by the traumatic experience they endured.