Civilian Court-Martial Lawyers:

Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Defended by Attorney Richard V. Stevens Fully Acquitted of Anabolic Steroid Related Charges at Court-Martial Trial

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:


Recently, a senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) who was tried by a general court-martial for charges alleging use, possession and importation of anabolic steroids, and some duty related allegations, was fully acquitted by the military court panel (“jury”).  The accused military member was defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.).

The accused client, who was two years from retirement, faced 8 allegations in the case, 6 of which were steroid related (UCMJ Article 112a).  The accused pled not guilty to all charges and specifications and took the stand during the defense case.  During the 4 day fully litigated court-martial, information surfaced that the steroids were obtained and prescribed by a doctor for therapeutic purposes in treating duty related orthopedic injuries the accused had suffered in his career.  There is a rarely applicable exception to Article 112a for drugs prescribed by a doctor for therapeutic purposes, including steroids. 

Based on the evidence in the case, the 7 officers found the accused not guilty of all charges and specifications in the case (full acquittal).  The maximum authorized punishment for a court-martial conviction on the allegations in this case would have included more than 70 years in prison and dishonorable discharge. 

While this military court-martial case was 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 or case.  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. Military defense law offices are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Military defense law practices are worldwide.