Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California Military Criminal Lawyers

Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California Military Criminal Lawyers

If you are stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California and facing military criminal charges, you need an experienced defense lawyer on your side. Military law can be complex and the consequences for convictions are severe. A civilian criminal defense attorney who specializes in military law can be invaluable in protecting your rights and fighting the charges.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of military justice at NAS North Island, common offenses, potential penalties, and why hiring a civilian defense attorney is so important. We aim to educate service members about their rights and options when dealing with military criminal allegations at NAS North Island or the surrounding Coronado area.

About NAS North Island

Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) is located on the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay in beautiful Coronado, California. It has been an active naval air station since 1917. Today, NASNI is the home port for several aircraft carriers like the USS Nimitz, USS Theodore Roosevelt, and USS Carl Vinson. With a huge base like this, military discipline issues and criminal charges are bound to come up from time to time.

Military Justice at NAS North Island

There are two forms of military justice proceedings used at NAS North Island – nonjudicial punishment and courts-martial.

Nonjudicial Punishment

A nonjudicial punishment (NJP), also known as an “Article 15” or “Captain’s Mast” in the Navy, is a disciplinary measure that does not constitute a criminal conviction. It is an administrative hearing overseen by your commanding officer rather than a judge. You have the right to refuse an NJP and demand a court-martial trial instead. But be aware that a court-martial conviction will result in a federal criminal record, so sometimes it is better to take the NJP.

If you lose at Captain’s Mast, you can appeal but the appeal goes up your chain of command rather than to a court. Consequences can include loss of rank, pay, restrictions, extra duties, and other penalties. While it does not lead to a criminal record, it can still seriously impact your Naval career.

Courts-Martial

More serious cases involving violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) will go to trial by court-martial. This is a formal criminal proceeding overseen by a military judge where you will be prosecuted by a military JAG lawyer. If convicted at court-martial, you will have a federal criminal conviction that appears on your permanent record.

You have the right to hire a civilian defense attorney to represent you at a court-martial. Having an experienced military law attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. The stakes are high so it is critical to have proper legal representation.

Common Offenses at NAS North Island

While any UCMJ violation can be handled through NJP or court-martial, there are some more common offenses we see among service members stationed at NAS North Island:

Common NJP Offenses

• Unauthorized absence (AWOL/UAA)
• Dereliction of duty
• False official statements
• Drunk on duty
• Fraternization
• Disobeying orders
• Destruction of government property

Common Court-Martial Offenses

• Drug offenses like possession, use, or distribution
• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• DUI
• Larceny/theft
• Assault
• Adultery

Potential Penalties

The consequences for a conviction at NJP or court-martial can severely damage your military career. Penalties may include:

• Loss of rank/pay
• Extra duties
• Restriction to base
• Confinement
• Punitive discharge (bad conduct discharge, dishonorable discharge)
• Federal criminal conviction on record

Why You Need an Experienced Civilian Military Lawyer

If you are facing NJP or court-martial charges, it is critical that you seek assistance from a civilian defense attorney as early as possible. Here’s why hiring a civilian lawyer can make all the difference:

• They have years of experience focused exclusively on military law and defenses.
• They are independent from the military chain of command.
• They know how to negotiate with military prosecutors.
• They understand the flaws in the military justice system.
• They aggressively defend your rights.
• They have relationships with expert military law witnesses.
• They can help avoid a federal conviction that ruins your career.

Don’t take chances with your military career. The experienced civilian defense lawyers at [Law Firm Name] can advise and represent you in NAS North Island legal matters. Call today for a free case evaluation.

About [Law Firm Name]

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