FAQ

The cost of legal defense services depends on a host of variables. Generally, the more complex and serious the charges, the more time and effort is needed to effectively defend against them. For instance, a servicemember accused of sexually assaulting three females, who is facing 20 separate charges and specifications at a general court-martial, will require great effort and time on the part of his defense counsel. Military Justice Attorneys strives to make legal representation affordable when considering the facts and circumstances of your case.

Military Justice Attorneys is dedicated to your well-being and will work with you to find a creative way to manage legal fees. Servicemembers facing criminal charges have often used their savings, relied on family members and friends, taken out home-equity lines, or used credit cards in order to pay for their legal services. Acquiring competent legal representation is an investment well worth the initial cost.

In addition, Military Justice Attorneys charges affordable flat rates. This means you can call us without worrying about being charged in six-minute increments. It is also important to consider that Military Justice Attorneys do not generally carry heavy caseloads, so they can ensure that each client receives the required attention.

Yes, and please do not hesitate to contact us.

In general, the earlier the servicemember retains a civilian defense attorney, the better, for a host of reasons. The early stages of investigation, before the preferral of charges, can provide an excellent opportunity to engage the command on alternative ways to dispose of the allegations. Though a command would never admit it, convenience does matter—even more than ensuring good order and discipline. Commanding Officers/Generals want to fight wars, not convene courts, and sometimes simply getting to them early can greatly benefit the servicemember accused of misconduct.

Another important advantage to hiring an attorney immediately is that law enforcement and commands can no longer interrogate or ask questions of the accused, unless consent is given by the defense counsel.

Depending on the military service concerned, the Medical or Physical Evaluation Board will simply stop moving forward until all pending legal issues are resolved. Thus, a Sergeant in the Marine Corps who is under investigation for use of a controlled substance will not have his Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) referred to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for initial determination until the criminal matter is concluded. In this situation, the Sergeant may have to be found not guilty at a court-martial before any administrative hearing related to his medical discharge can occur.

Needless to say, this process is complex for any servicemember to navigate either alone or with an inexperienced uniformed judge advocate. Military Justice Attorneys strongly advises that you hire a military lawyer if you are facing such a gauntlet.

This important question has been pondered by thousands of servicemembers over the years. In today’s military, an Article 15/NJP entry in a servicemember’s record book is no insignificant matter. Although Article 15/NJP convictions do not result in a federal criminal record, they often do affect the servicemember’s ability to promote in rank within his or her military occupational specialty, as well as eligibility to re-enlist.

Ultimately, the question comes down to risk. If a servicemember feels strongly that he or she committed no misconduct and plans to refuse NJP, he or she must also be willing to assume the risk of going to a court-martial. This is because many Commanding Officers/Generals notified of an NJP-refusal will simply refer the allegations to a court-martial. There are many factors for the servicemember to consider and weigh, and it is very important that experienced legal advice is sought before decision-making. Contact Military Justice Attorneys for your free consultation.