Civilian Court-Martial Lawyers: Military Officer Represented by Attorney Richard V. Stevens Fully Acquitted of Forcible Rape and Sexual Assault Court-Martial Allegations (UCMJ Article 120)

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a military officer who was tried by general court-martial for charges alleging forcible rape and 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 charge and specifications (all allegations).  During the fully litigated court-martial trial, the case focused primarily on the credibility of the complainant and her claims.  During the trial the defense exposed issues regarding inconsistent stories and testimony about the alleged events, and motives of the complainant, that impacted her credibility and the believability of the allegations. 

Based on the testimony and evidence in the case, the court members found the client not guilty of the charge and all specifications in the case (full acquittal).  The maximum authorized punishment for a court-martial conviction on the allegations in this case would have included life 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.
http://www.militaryadvocate.com

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.