Tampa Military Crime Lawyers

Get the Experienced Military Defense Counsel You Need

When a person is in the military, they must abide by a special set of rules. This set of rules is called martial law. If a person fails to adhere to martial law or violates martial law, they will be charged with a military crime. Once charged with a military crime, the person will have to partake in a court-martial trial or face charges in a military court. There are multiple categories of crimes a person might commit to receive Tampa military criminal charges. Civilians can also commit crimes. When they do, these are referred to as civilian analog crimes. 

Other crimes are military-specific. Military-specific crimes include:

• Desertion
• Absence without leave
• Mutiny and sedition
• Insubordinate conduct
• Misconduct as a prisoner
• Malingering
• Conduct unbecoming an officer

Facing court-martial? Call our Tampa military crime lawyers at (813) 221-4200 for help from a team that’s helped thousands of others. Your consultation is free!

Helping Those Facing Court-Martial in Tampa

Military courts are comprised of personnel within different areas of the military. These people serve as judges, panel members, officials, and lawyers. Military court procedures differ from criminal procedures in a civilian court. Service members who have been charged with military crimes in Tampa should always obtain the services of an experienced lawyer. Although a Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) might be able to help with certain military cases, they are not necessarily able to serve all off-post or civilian legal needs.

At Thomas & Paulk, our skilled Tampa military criminal defense lawyers can represent your best interests. We have handled thousands of criminal defense cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to major felonies. You can be confident in our firm’s experience and thorough approach to litigation. Importantly, we’re never satisfied with our work until we’re convinced that we’ve explored every option for a client. We know that every story has two sides, and we’re ready to hear and share yours in order to protect your future.

The Court-Martial System & Its Differences from Civilian Court

Military court, also known as a court-martial, is where military members have their trial heard and their judgment determined. These courts hear everything from minor crimes such as theft to severe military crimes such as desertion. Military courts follow different procedures and have different appeals processes. It’s essential to have a defense team that understands the unique challenges and procedures of the court-martial system.

There are three kinds of court-martial:

• Summary Court-Martial: This typically involves minor cases. Punishments will be determined according to the defendant’s pay grade, and a single officer will serve as prosecutor and defense. If the defendant is an E-4 or below, punishment may include 30 days of confinement, reduced pay, and a 60-day restriction.
• Special Court-Martial: This type of court-martial handles “intermediate” cases involving a three-officer jury, defense counsel, prosecutor, and military judge. The defendant may also opt for a trial by a judge or a jury consisting of a minimum of one-third enlisted personnel.
• General Court-Martial: This serves harsh penalties, such as bad conduct discharges, dishonorable discharges, and even death sentences. Before the case reaches general court-martial, the protocol must be followed, including investigation before the trial. The defendant can also pay for civilian legal counsel.

Contact our Tampa military crime lawyers for experienced help. Your initial consultation is free of charge!