Civilian Defense Attorney Serving Randolph AFB

Built in 1928, Randolph Air Force Base is located northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The Air Force base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group and is also home to the AETC Nineteenth Air Force. If you face military discipline while serving at Randolph Air Force Base, contact attorney Patrick J. McLain right away.

Types of Military Justice at Randolph Air Force Base

There are two different forms of military justice commonly used at Randolph AFB: nonjudicial punishment and trial by court-martial.

Nonjudicial Punishment

Informally known as Article 15 in the United States Air Force, nonjudicial punishment (NJP) is a type of administrative hearing. Because it is not a formal criminal hearing, a conviction will not result in a permanent record. It could, however, result in separation proceedings that end your military career.

NJP is an informal process. It is overseen by your commanding officer instead of a military judge, and the rules are lax compared to civilian trials. There is a right to appeal the decision, but the appeal will go up your chain of command as opposed to being heard by an appellate court.

You have a choice when it comes to nonjudicial punishment. You can agree to go through the NJP process or reject an NJP in favor of a trial by court-martial. This is an important decision, as a court-martial carries higher potential penalties. However, the formal rules of a trial by court-martial could work in your favor. It is important to discuss your options with an experienced defense attorney before making a decision.

Court-Martial

A trial by court-martial is a formal criminal proceeding, which means a conviction will show up on your permanent record. The court-martial process is formal and is overseen by a military judge. There are strict rules in place regarding witness testimony and evidence, and these rules are enforced.

If you are convicted at court-martial, you have the right to appeal. For certain serious charges, an appeal will occur automatically. Throughout the process from trial to appeal, you are entitled to hire the civilian defense counsel of your choice.

Common Offenses at Randolph Air Force Base

If you are accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice, you could face either an NJP or trial by court-martial. However, some charges are more likely than others to result in an NJP.

Common NJP Offenses

• Unauthorized absence (AWOL)
• Drunk on duty
• Fraternization
• Violation of orders
• Destroying government property

Common Court-Martial Offenses

• Drug abuse
• Rape
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
• Fraud

Possible Penalties

In either type of hearing, the common penalties are similar. These include:

• Loss or rank
• Loss of pay
• Restriction
• Extra duties.

For more serious charges in a trial by court-martial, you might also face other penalties including confinement or even punitive discharge. These penalties only occur upon a conviction, meaning you could avoid them completely if you prevail in your case.

Civilian Defense Counsel at Randolph AFB

If you take proactive steps to fight back against any charges brought against you, you could have a chance to avoid a conviction. To learn about your options, contact civilian defense attorney and retired military judge Patrick J. McLain right away.