Military Lawyer in Groton

You have the right to professional and dedicated support if you face charges for a military crime. In this situation, you can turn to a military lawyer in Groton for help building a strong defense.

Our team at Mission Focus Legal Group has the knowledge, training, and resources to defend you. We bring over three decades of combined experience to your case, which we will use to address the legal issues you face.

Find out more by contacting us now for legal advice.

When You Need a Military Lawyer in Groton, CT

You may need help from a professional and experienced military lawyer if you face any legal issues related to your service. An attorney can provide the assistance you need to understand issues related to court martials, cadet infractions, and other challenges.

Our team makes sure you understand your situation. We answer your questions clearly and quickly so that you can make an informed decision about all legal matters. We can even walk you through a military justice overview when necessary.

Types of Military Law Matters We Handle

Our Groton military lawyers handle a wide range of issues related to military law. Reach out to us now for the support you need from a:

• Groton General Court–Martial Lawyer: Typically, General Court-Martial cases begin with an investigation by an organization such as NCIS, CID, or CGIS. Sometimes, your command will initiate its own investigation. An investigator from one of the organizations or your command may ask to speak with you. We can explain all of your legal options. 
• Groton Special Court–Martial Lawyer: Special Court-Martial crimes are usually considered misdemeanor or lower-level offenses. An organization such as NCIS may be involved, but more commonly, a command investigation will be conducted to determine potential charges against you. You do not have to face this challenge on your own. 
• Groton Non–Judicial Punishment Lawyer: In some cases, you may face an administrative punishment. These administrative proceedings can have a severe impact on your career retention and advancement, so it’s crucial you speak to a lawyer before they begin.
• Groton Military Investigations Lawyer: If an agency such as NCIS or your command investigates you, you may be facing serious criminal consequences. You have the right to consult with an attorney before talking with any government agent or your command, and you may decide to never speak with anyone.
• Groton Board of Inquiry Lawyer: A Board of Inquiry (BOI) uses the civil standard of proof of preponderance of the evidence as a basis, and typically, the board decides if you committed misconduct, if you should be removed from the military, and at what rank or pay grade. A lawyer can help with this process.
• Groton Administrative Separation Boards Lawyer: Similar to a BOI, an ADSEP is an administrative proceeding for enlisted members of the military. The board will consist of three members, with one member appointed at the accused’s election. Our team can assist with an ADSEP.
• Groton Cadet Infractions and Disenrollment Lawyer: If you are a cadet and are facing cadet-specific infractions, you are likely aware of the impact those infractions may have on your ability to graduate and commission in your service. We’re ready to help with these infractions. 

You can learn more about your legal situation and options by contacting our law firm for help right now. 

Groton Military Lawyer Near Me (860) 333-6455

Your Rights When Dealing with a Court-Martial

You have the right to remain silent and speak with an attorney before speaking with an investigator or your command when facing a court-martial. If you are dealing with these charges, you will have the opportunity to request an Article 32/preliminary hearing in which the government must show probable cause to continue with the charges against you.

If the government brings charges, you will have your case set for prosecution and ultimately a trial. This process typically takes nine months to two years for a general court-martial, depending on the complexity of your case.

If you face formal charges for a special court-martial, this process typically takes six months to a year to complete.

What Leads to Non-Judicial Punishment?

In some cases, you may face an administrative punishment for what would be considered a minor military offense through these avenues:

• Non-Judicial Punishment
• Article 15
• Captain’s Mast

Unlike a court-martial, you cannot go to jail, and the outcome does not result in a criminal conviction.

You will have the opportunity to consult a military or civilian attorney before making an election to accept or reject this administrative punishment (with some minimal exceptions) to ensure you understand your legal rights.

What to Know About the Board Of Inquiry

A Board of Inquiry (BOI) is an officer administrative hearing conducted with three officers. It involves a government prosecutor, a military defense counsel, a retained civilian defense counsel (if you choose to keep at your cost such representation), and the accused officer.

Like a court-martial, witnesses are usually called and questioned by the government, defense, and the board members. Unlike court-martials, you will not receive a criminal conviction or face jail time as a result of the BOI.

We Understand Administrative Separation Boards

The standard of proof is the civil standard of preponderance of the evidence when dealing with an ADSEP, which is lower than the criminal proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Just like in a criminal trial, participants can present evidence and examine witnesses. The board will have to make a decision at the end of the ADSEP.

Unlike a criminal trial, you will not receive a criminal conviction or go to jail. Still, you can be administratively separated from the service, and your discharge can be as low as other than honorable.

More Information About Cadet Infractions and Disenrollment

Each academy outlines the rules, rights, and procedures for cadet infractions, as well as the consequences of violating them.

If you face an investigation for cadet infractions, you should strongly consider consulting a military or civilian defense attorney to ensure you know your rights and options. Cadet procedures are unique and specific to each academy, with typically stringent time limits to respond.

Why Choose Our Legal Team?

Our firm’s leader, Attorney Keith Anthony, is a military lawyer and a former Marine Corps prosecutor at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He has prosecuted cases all over the world, including in Al Anbar, Iraq.

Upon transitioning out of active duty, Keith began his career defending military members accused of crimes. Keith has handled all aspects of military justice litigation from General Court-Martials, boards of inquiry, administrative separation proceedings, and cadet infractions and disenrollment.

Further, Keith is one of the few attorneys in our area with the ability to practice in both Military and State of Connecticut Courts, with in-depth knowledge on how to handle the interplay between military commands, state criminal, and military courts. If you need an experienced military lawyer for your case, you can trust us.

Talk to Us About Your Legal Needs

You can rely on a Groton military attorney from our team at Mission Focus Legal Group to address all your needs while focusing on the specifics of your situation. We take military law seriously and use our extensive experience to assist you in your situation.

You can learn more about us today and then reach out for help.