Rape Charge and Court-Martial Dropped Against Noncommissioned Officer Represented by Attorney Richard Stevens
In the last few weeks, a noncommissioned officer defended by attorney Richard Stevens had the rape charge, and court-martial, he faced dropped by the government. Early in the case, the military defense counsel uncovered significant issues regarding the credibility of the alleged victim and her claims. These issues were highlighted at the Article 32 hearing.
After the Article 32 hearing, the defense submitted notice of our intent to continue the investigation of these credibility issues, to involve a forensic expert, and to file motions allowing us to use the information at issue. At that point, the rape allegation and court-martial were dropped by the government. The maximum authorized punishment for a rape conviction would have been life in prison without the possibility of parole.
For clients represented/defended by Richard Stevens, that brings to seven, the number of military rape, sexual assault and sexual offense cases in the last couple years which did not result in a court-martial conviction for the government – either because the case was dismissed/dropped or the client was found not guilty (complete acquittal). Please see previous blog posts for descriptions of those cases.
While these criminal cases were successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
In the last few weeks, a noncommissioned officer defended by attorney Richard Stevens had the rape charge, and court-martial, he faced dropped by the government. Early in the case, the military defense counsel uncovered significant issues regarding the credibility of the alleged victim and her claims. These issues were highlighted at the Article 32 hearing.
After the Article 32 hearing, the defense submitted notice of our intent to continue the investigation of these credibility issues, to involve a forensic expert, and to file motions allowing us to use the information at issue. At that point, the rape allegation and court-martial were dropped by the government. The maximum authorized punishment for a rape conviction would have been life in prison without the possibility of parole.
For clients represented/defended by Richard Stevens, that brings to seven, the number of military rape, sexual assault and sexual offense cases in the last couple years which did not result in a court-martial conviction for the government – either because the case was dismissed/dropped or the client was found not guilty (complete acquittal). Please see previous blog posts for descriptions of those cases.
While these criminal cases were successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case. No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.
By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard Stevens) are former active duty military lawyers (JAG). Our perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon our experience as military defense lawyers and as civilian criminal defense lawyers practicing exclusively in the area of military law. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.
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