Experienced Joint Base Defense Attorney
Joint bases in the United States, like Elmendorf-Richardson and Lewis-McChord, are bases shared by two different military organizations. Just like other military bases, crime is committed and charges are laid out. Some crimes are serious enough for a court-martial while other crimes are addressed more informally through an administrative process known as nonjudicial punishment (NJP) and often referred to as an Article 15 hearing.
If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to seek an experienced civilian defense attorney. The outcomes for both procedures – whether a court-martial or an NJP – can be serious and lead to:
- restriction
- loss of rank
- loss of pay
- extra duties
- separation from the military, or
- incarceration.
A court-martial also leads to a criminal record, which can pose serious collateral problems for you later – after you have paid your debt back to society by serving your punishment.
Fighting any charges laid against you is critical to maintaining a clean slate or receiving a lesser punishment. You need a joint base civilian defense lawyer who has the insight attained from comprehensive military experience. Attorney Patrick J. McLain has years experience as a Marine Corps judge – so he knows the military justice system from both sides. He also has years experience as a civilian defense lawyer defending clients in the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Contact Patrick J. McLain today to learn more about his approach to defending persons in the military.