Investigating officers are appointed under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 15-6 to conduct timely, thorough, and legally sound inquiries. AR 15-6 investigations are specifically designed to be informal, though some provisions are also applicable to formal investigations. For the purposes of this guide, only informal investigations will be discussed. Who Can Serve as an … Read more
Over this past weekend, to the outrage of many, rumors spread that Navy Lt. Commander Timothy White would face weapons charges due to his role in the Chattanooga shooting last month. White, who allegedly fired back at the perpetrator in that attack, would have needed to carry a personal firearm into the facility to do … Read more
The military has stood as a unique entity for centuries, with its own rules, regulations, and even a distinct court system. But why? While the idea of having a separate court for service members might appear unnecessary at first, understanding its historical underpinning, current relevance, and future importance paints a clear picture. Are you a … Read more
A reservist of the United States Armed Forces must still comply with the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), as long as they are performing a duty that directly coincides with their reservist status. Within Article 2(a)(3), a court-martial jurisdiction’s power is further limited to reservists on inactive-duty training, or to Army National Guard and … Read more
With the enactment of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a series of Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) updates have been implemented on January 1st, 2019. The late John McCain described the updates as the “most significant reforms” to the UCMJ in history. How will the changes actually impact members of the United … Read more
A drug charge is a serious offense for anyone, but if you’re in the military, the sentence may be especially harsh. After all, military service members are held to a high standard and may be punished severely if found guilty. If you recently tested positive for illegal drugs or have been implicated in the possession … Read more
When a military service member decides to end their military career, they can either separate from the military altogether or, more commonly, retire. For as long as a retired service member is collecting retirement pay and benefits from the military, though, they can be held under court-martial jurisdiction. Furthermore, they can be recalled back to active … Read more
A Military Protective Order (MPO) is a legal order issued by a commanding officer that prohibits an accused military service member from contacting the person or persons identified in the order. Learn more about the rules that apply to an MPO and how a military defense lawyer can defend you during any associated legal proceedings. … Read more
All branches of the U.S. military have rules regarding friendships, business associations, dating, and marriage among service members of different ranks and positions. Not all contact between officers and their subordinates is prohibited, and the goal is not to dissuade service members from having interpersonal relationships. Rather, the regulations are intended to prevent compromising order, … Read more
A plea agreement, also called a plea bargain or pretrial agreement, is when a defendant agrees to plead guilty to some or all the charges in exchange for a lesser punishment. This may include lowering the charge to something less severe or reducing the sentence. Plea agreements also sometimes require the defendant to testify against … Read more