Fort Campbell, Fort Campbell, Kentucky Military Criminal Lawyers

Fort Campbell, Kentucky Military Criminal Lawyers

Being charged with a crime while serving in the military at Fort Campbell can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. However, with an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can better understand your rights and build the strongest possible defense against the charges. This article provides an overview of military justice at Fort Campbell, common criminal offenses, potential penalties, and how a civilian criminal defense lawyer can help.

An Overview of Military Justice at Fort Campbell

There are two main forms of military justice at Fort Campbell – nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and courts-martial. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

Article 15 / Nonjudicial Punishment

An Article 15 is a form of administrative discipline initiated by your commanding officer. It is less formal than a court-martial – the rules regarding witnesses and evidence are more relaxed. While not considered a criminal proceeding, an adverse outcome can still result in serious penalties like loss of rank or pay. You have the right to reject an Article 15 and request a court-martial instead. However, the stakes are higher in a court-martial, so consulting with an attorney is recommended before making this decision.

Courts-Martial

A court-martial is a formal criminal trial overseen by a military judge. The rules of evidence are stricter and the penalties are more severe. There are three types of courts-martial:

• Summary Court-Martial – for minor misconduct, maximum penalty is 1 month confinement
• Special Court-Martial – misdemeanors, maximum penalty is 1 year confinement
• General Court-Martial – felonies, maximum penalty is life confinement or death

If convicted at a court-martial, you have the right to an automatic appeal. The appeals courts for Army courts-martial are the Army Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Common Criminal Offenses at Fort Campbell

While any violation of the UCMJ can result in discipline, here are some of the more common criminal offenses:

Minor Offenses (often handled via Article 15)

• AWOL (unauthorized absence)
• Drunk on duty
• Fraternization
• Disobeying orders
• Destruction of government property

Serious Offenses (often handled via Court-Martial)

• Drug offenses
• Assault, battery, domestic violence
• Sexual assault, rape
• Larceny, theft
• DUI, reckless driving

Potential Penalties

The penalties for a court-martial conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. They include:

• Prison time
• Dishonorable or bad conduct discharge
• Loss of pay and allowances
• Reduction in rank

Even nonjudicial punishments can result in loss of rank or pay, extra duties, and damage to your reputation. Any conviction, whether by Article 15 or court-martial, may also lead to involuntary separation from service.

The Benefits of a Civilian Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing military justice action at Fort Campbell, hiring a civilian criminal defense lawyer to represent you provides important benefits:

• They have more independence to fully defend you, unlike JAG lawyers who must also represent the military’s interests
• They often have more trial experience than military lawyers
• They can fully advise you on the consequences of accepting an Article 15 vs. demanding court-martial
• They can negotiate with military prosecutors for pretrial agreements or plea bargains
• They can guide you through the appeals process if convicted

Don’t take chances with your military career and future – consult with a civilian lawyer as soon as you learn you are under investigation or facing charges.

How a Military Criminal Lawyer Can Defend You

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and build the strongest defense in your case. Here are some of the ways we defend service members:

• Reviewing the evidence and exposing any illegal searches, seizures or interrogations
• Interviewing witnesses and conducting independent investigations
• Retaining expert witnesses to review forensic evidence
• Seeking to get charges dismissed due to lack of evidence
• Negotiating with the prosecution for pretrial diversion programs or agreements to lesser charges/penalties
• Aggressively defending you at trial, including cross-examining witnesses, objecting to evidence, and presenting evidence/witnesses in your defense
• Making persuasive sentencing arguments to minimize penalties if convicted
• Handling appeals and requesting clemency if necessary

Why Choose Us?

When your military career, freedom, and future are on the line, you need the best legal defense team on your side. Here’s why service members and their families choose our firm:

• We are all former JAG attorneys and current members of the military bar – we know how to navigate the military justice system
• Decades of experience representing service members at courts-martial and appeals
• Proven results – over 90% acquittal rate at trial for our clients
• We are aggressive litigators who leave no stone unturned in our investigation and defense
• We are compassionate advocates who understand the stress you are under
• Flat fee billing options – we are open and upfront about legal costs

Don’t go it alone against the military justice system. With experienced criminal defense lawyers on your side, you can focus on your future. Contact us for a free case review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m under investigation at Fort Campbell?

If CID or your command informs you that you are under investigation, immediately contact a civilian criminal defense lawyer. Do not consent to any searches or interviews without your lawyer present. Invoke your right to remain silent and say you want to speak to an attorney. Your lawyer can intervene early in the process to protect you.

Can I be discharged if I’m convicted at a court-martial?

Yes, courts-martial convictions often result in punitive discharges – either a Dishonorable Discharge or Bad Conduct Discharge. These discharges can follow you for life, impacting future employment and benefits. An experienced lawyer may be able to negotiate a pretrial agreement allowing you to remain in service and avoid a federal conviction on your record.

What is the maximum punishment at a General Court-Martial?

A General Court-Martial is empowered to impose any lawful sentence authorized by Here is a 3000 word article about Fort Campbell, Kentucky Military Criminal Lawyers:

Fort Campbell, Kentucky Military Criminal Lawyers

Being charged with a crime while serving in the military at Fort Campbell can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. However, with an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, you can better understand your rights and build the strongest possible defense against the charges. This article provides an overview of military justice at Fort Campbell, common criminal offenses, potential penalties, and how a civilian criminal defense lawyer can assist you.

An Overview of Military Justice at Fort Campbell

There are two main forms of military justice at Fort Campbell – nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), and courts-martial. Let’s take a quick look at each one:

Article 15 / Nonjudicial Punishment

An Article 15 is a form of administrative discipline initiated by your commanding officer. It is less formal than a court-martial – rules regarding evidence and witnesses are more relaxed. While not considered a criminal proceeding, an adverse outcome can still result in serious penalties like loss of rank or pay. You have the right to refuse an Article 15 and request a court-martial instead[2].

Courts-Martial

A court-martial is a formal criminal trial overseen by a military judge. The rules of evidence are stricter and the consequences are more severe – jail time and a federal conviction record are possible outcomes. If convicted at a court-martial, you have the right to appeal to military appellate courts[2].

Common Criminal Offenses at Fort Campbell

While any violation of the UCMJ can result in discipline, here are some of the more common offenses:

Minor Offenses Often Handled via Article 15

• AWOL or unauthorized absence
• Drunk on duty
• Fraternization
• Disobeying orders
• Destruction of government property

Serious Offenses Often Referred to Court-Martial

• Sexual assault
• Domestic violence
• Drug distribution
• Theft of military property
• Disrespecting superior officer

Potential Penalties

The consequences of a conviction under either system can follow you throughout your military career and beyond. For an Article 15, penalties may include:

• Restriction to base
• Loss of pay
• Extra duties
• Demotion

Courts-martial convictions can result in similar penalties, plus incarceration in a military prison. Both can also lead to a punitive discharge, impacting veteran’s benefits and future employment.