Court-Martial and Admin Boards at Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the largest Marine base on the West Coast. Located in north San Diego County, Camp Pendleton was established in 1942 in order to train Marines in preparation for World War II. Since 1946, it has been a permanent installation that has been home to a number of Fleet Marine Force units.
Experienced Civilian Legal Counsel for Service Members
If you are facing NJP or court-martial proceedings at Camp Pendleton, you need the strongest defense possible. While you are entitled to an attorney appointed by the military, a private civilian attorney may have the experience, time, and resources to dedicate to your case that an appointed attorney cannot match.
For experienced counsel on whom you can depend, contact attorney and U.S. Marine Corps former judge advocate and military judge, Patrick McLain, today.
Court-Martial and Admin Boards at Camp Pendleton
If you are facing a disciplinary proceeding, you must remember that you are entitled to hire a civilian defenseattorney. When it comes to military proceedings at Camp Pendleton, there are three major types of proceedings:
- Nonjudicial punishment
- Court-Martial
- Administrative boards
Nonjudicial Punishment
Administrative actions include a variety of proceedings covering allegations of misconduct, substandard performance of duty, and other alleged failures to meet standards of the U.S. Navy or the Marine Corps. The most common administrative action is known as nonjudicial punishment. Also known as an NJP or office hours, these proceedings are intended for lesser offenses but you always have the right to demand a trial by court-martial, unless you are embarked on a ship. Nonjudicial punishment can be appealed to the commander of the officer who imposed NJP, normally within five days of imposition of punishment.
Court-Martial
A court-martial is a judicial proceeding used to handle allegations that are more serious, or when a military member refuses nonjudicial punishment and demands his or her right to trial by court-martial. Thus any violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice can lead to charges before a court-martial. These charges can include crimes that are common in civilian courts, like fraud or sexual assault. However, they can also include offenses specific to military life, such as war crimes or disobedience to orders.
Appeals
If you are found guilty at court-martial, you have the right to appeal the ruling against you. You have the right to be represented by a civilian attorney at either the Navy-Marine Court of Criminal Appeals or the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
WHY CHOOSE THE LAW OFFICE OF PATRICK J. MCLAIN?
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Former Federal Prosecutor & Military JudgeAttorney Patrick J. McLain's years of experience across the aisle provide him with a unique perspective.
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Over Two Decades in the U.S. Marine Corps
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Our Firm is Top-Rated & Award-Winning
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Over 3,500 Cases Successfully Handled
Common Military Offenses at Camp Pendleton
While the most common offenses Marines face at Camp Pendleton constitute crimes in the civilian world, many offenses are specific to military life and would not be criminal elsewhere.
Common Military Offenses
- Unauthorized absence (AWOL)
- Drunk on duty
- Fraternization
- Insubordination
- Destroying government property
Common Court-Martial Offenses
Potential Disciplinary Penalties
While an NJP is treated as a minor proceeding compared to a court-martial, the reality is that a conviction of either type can affect your life and career tremendously. In the most serious NJP cases, including those with positive drug test results, you could face administrative separation or show cause proceedings. Some of the other NJP consequences include:
- restriction;
- loss of pay;
- extra duties; and
- loss of rank.
A conviction in a court-martial can carry the same penalties as described above. However, they can also include much more serious consequences, including:
- confinement;
- punitive discharge
With the stakes this high, it is critical to obtain defense counsel that will provide the strongest defense possible.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
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"Amazing strength and integrity with the combination of experience, insight, and knowledge of military law."
I have found my lawyer Patrick McLain, to be honest, right to the point, consistently giving me realistic outcomes through the whole process of my case. He's definitely no nonsense, cut to the chase. As a client…I've never been left hanging; he makes sure all my correspondence is returned. He's got amazing strength and integrity with the combination of experience, insight, and knowledge of military law. He stands behind his words and expects the same in return. I say my blessings every day for him taking my case. With him as my attorney, I've achieved best possible outcomes.
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"Made me feel like the most important client."They completely cared, took my case personally, always made me feel like the most important client, and were knowledgeable on all subjects. I give the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC the highest rating possible and totally recommend them.- Mike
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"I highly recommend Brad Sauer and the entire team"I had an outstanding experience working with Brad Sauer. From start to finish, Brad was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly dedicated to my case. He took the time to thoroughly explain my options, kept me informed throughout the process, and always made sure I felt supported. His expertise and attention to detail made a significant difference, and I couldn’t have asked for better representation. I highly recommend Brad Sauer and the entire team at the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain to anyone in need of top-tier legal assistance.- Anne
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"I won my military case due to his diligence, knowledge and experience in military law."
I cannot recommend Patrick highly enough. I won my military case due to his diligence, knowledge and experience in military law. Had I proceeded on my own, I would have lost, for the process was simply too complex. When working with Patrick, there was never a time when I felt left in the dark on my case, nor a time when his assessments and instructions were unclear. Should you be in any difficult circumstance, Patrick will work his tail off for you and keep you clearly informed on the status of your case. Again, I highly recommend the services of Patrick McLain.
- Dan C. -
"Thanks to him I am now able to get on with my life."
It took some time to make it happen, but it did just like Patrick said, he is a hard charging guy that can help you get what you deserve, Thanks to him I am now able to get on with my life.
- Chip -
"I was entirely impressed with mclain’s work on my case."
I called McLain when the military charged me with some B.S., McLain immediately jumped into action and made things happen in my favor. Don't do it alone … your military chain of command will try to make you think that your cooperation will help you, it will NOT. I was entirely impressed with McLain's work on my
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"Amazing lawyer who fights for you!"A tremendous lawyer in a time of need. After being accused of conduct unbecoming an officer for personal conduct while off duty, I hired Mr. McLain to help me through the process. He diligently worked behind the scenes to make sure my voice was being heard. Despite my inability to listen to his direction early on, Mr. Mclain was patient and continued to fight on my behalf. Mr. McLain helped me win at a board of inquiry with no other disciplinary action. A sincere man, who is dedicated to his clients. Would strongly recommend and is a great asset to military clients everywhere.- Former Client
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"The best lawyer to defend military personnel."The Law Office of Patrick J. McLain helped me through the most difficult experience in my life. As a Marine Officer facing an upcoming board of inquiry for conduct issues, I was afraid of losing my career. Attorney McLain gave great legal advice through the process and reached out many times to see how I was doing. A great lawyer and better person, Mr. McLain helped me become successful in my board of inquiry and keep moving forward in my career. His military experience and personal qualities make him the best lawyer to defend military personnel.- Jonathan
STAY UP TO DATE
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Understanding the Different Types of Court-Martials: Summary, Special, and General -
Military Appeals: Process and Tips for a Successful Appeal
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Navigating a Court-Martial: What to Expect and How to Prepare
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