Military Defense Lawyer
(Former JAG Attorney) News:
Recently,
a military officer who was tried by general court-martial for charges generally
alleging sexual assault (UCMJ Article 120) 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 military client pled not guilty to the charges and specifications. During the fully litigated court-martial
trial, the case focused primarily on forensic evidence and expert testimony,
particularly about DNA and parasomnias (sleep disorders). In addition, during trial the defense exposed
issues regarding inconsistent stories about the alleged events that impacted assessments
of witness credibility and the accuracy and believability of the
allegations.
Based
on the testimony and evidence in the case, the court members found the client
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 decades in
prison, dismissal (equivalent to dishonorable discharge), total forfeitures of
pay and allowances, and sex offender registration would have been
required.
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 about the military justice system, particularly cases alleging
rape and/or sexual assault in violation of UCMJ Article 120, type “rape” or “sexual assault” into the search bar above the blog
posts. We also offer free consultations
for a case you may be involved in. Just
call us.
Thank you.
By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.
Blog postscript: Attorney Frank J. Spinner and I (attorney
Richard V. 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 and military justice. 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 and The Law Office of
Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation. These military defense law offices
are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Northern Florida, but the
military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys
travel to wherever the client is stationed.
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