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Naval Air Station Patuxent River, St. Mary’s County, Maryland Military Criminal Lawyers
If you are a servicemember stationed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County, Maryland and facing military criminal charges, you need an experienced military defense lawyer on your side. Military law is complex and the consequences for convictions can be severe. A conviction can negatively impact your military career, benefits, and future employment opportunities. Let’s take a look at some key things to know about military criminal law and your legal options at NAS Pax River.
Types of Military Criminal Charges
Some of the most common criminal offenses charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) include:
- AWOL/Desertion
- Assault
- Domestic Violence
- DUI/DWI
- Drug Offenses
- Larceny/Theft
- Sexual Assault
The military has jurisdiction over many civilian-type crimes as well as military-specific offenses like disobeying orders, disrespecting superiors, and going AWOL. If you are under investigation or facing court-martial, don’t go it alone. Consult with a military defense lawyer right away.
Military Defense Lawyers
Hiring a civilian military defense attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Military lawyers from the local Trial Defense Service (TDS) offices are assigned high caseloads and simply cannot devote as much time and attention to each case[3]. Seasoned civilian attorneys focus exclusively on military law and have the experience to identify key defenses, negotiate with prosecutors, and take cases to trial if needed.
Key Benefits of Civilian Military Lawyers
- Lower caseloads and more time for your case
- Decades of military law experience
- Aggressive defense strategies
- Better understanding of military culture
- Strong relationships with local prosecutors
Don’t take chances with your military career. Hire an experienced civilian attorney to fight for the best possible outcome.
Punishments Under the UCMJ
Some potential punishments for military convictions include:
- Reduction in rank
- Loss of pay and allowances
- Extra duties
- Confinement
- Bad conduct discharge
- Dishonorable discharge
An other-than-honorable discharge can have severe consequences making it difficult to find future employment. A federal conviction may also limit your ability to own firearms, vote, and access education benefits. Don’t let a split-second mistake ruin your future. Fight all charges with a military lawyer by your side.
Statute of Limitations
Under Article 43 of the UCMJ, the military has five years to prosecute most offenses from the date of discovery[4]. However, certain serious offenses like rape, sexual assault, and murder have no limitation. Time limits can be complex so consult with a military law attorney to explore any statute of limitations defenses.
Early Intervention
In the military justice system, early intervention is critical. Don’t wait to consult with a lawyer. The earlier you have an experienced attorney advising you and interacting with investigators, the better. A skilled lawyer can get out in front of charges before they are even filed.
Don’t go through an investigation alone. Exercise your right to remain silent and allow your lawyer to handle interactions with command and investigators. Anything you say can be used against you so say nothing until you have legal guidance.
Article 15 vs Court Martial
There are two paths a military criminal case can take – nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 or a court-martial. Article 15 is less formal disciplinary action handled within the unit but still has consequences like extra duty, rank reduction, and pay forfeiture. Court-martial is a full criminal trial and conviction can result in federal convictions, confinement, and punitive discharge.
In some cases, your attorney may be able to fight to keep charges at the Article 15 level to limit impacts to your career. Or argue to have charges dismissed entirely. Experienced representation makes a big difference in the path your case takes.
NAS Pax River Resources
If you are stationed at NAS Pax River, take advantage of all resources available to you. This includes:
- Legal Assistance – Consult with military lawyers on basic legal issues like wills, divorce, and landlord disputes[6].
- Trial Defense Service – Speak to on-base military counsel about your charges.
- Civilian Military Lawyers – Hire experienced off-base counsel to defend you at every stage.
- Counseling Services – Seek counseling or therapy if needed.
Don’t go through a military criminal investigation alone. Build your legal team starting with an experienced civilian military law attorney. They will look at the facts of your case, explain your rights, identify defenses, and start building a strategy to fight for the best possible outcome.
Find a Military Lawyer
If you or a loved one at NAS Pax River is under investigation, facing court-martial, or pending appeal, time is of the essence. Consult with a civilian military defense lawyer immediately for trusted advice and strong representation. Look for attorneys with extensive military law experience and a proven record of success.
Every case is different. You need someone who will take the time to understand your situation, answer all your questions, and build a customized legal strategy focused on your specific goals. Don’t leave your military career to chance. Work with a lawyer who knows how to effectively negotiate with military prosecutors and excels in the courtroom if necessary.
Defending military personnel in Maryland and at installations like NAS Pax River is what we do. Our sole focus is protecting the rights and futures of servicemembers facing military justice charges. Contact us today for a free case review. We are here to help 24/7.
References
[1] https://www.navair.navy.mil/PaxRiver
[2] https://mymilitarylawyers.com/areas-we-serve/st-marys-county-maryland-naval-air-station-patuxent-river-military-criminal-defense-attorneys/
[3] https://ucmjdefense.com/location-serve/cities-we-serve/maryland-military-defense-lawyers/lexington-park-md-military-defense-lawyers.html
[4] https://mymilitarylawyers.com/practice-areas/military-criminal-defense/statute-of-limitations-military-offenses/
[5] https://ucmjdefense.com/location-serve/cities-we-serve/maryland-military-defense-lawyers.html
[6] https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/naval-air-station-patuxent-river/legal/legal-assistance