Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:
Recently, a military officer defended by attorney Richard V.
Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) was retained
in the military after a litigated board of inquiry (BOI) hearing.
In the military, involuntary administrative discharge board
hearings are referred to by different labels, such as board of inquiry (BOI),
show cause, officer elimination, adsep board, administrative separation, and
administrative discharge board. Regardless
of the label, this is an administrative hearing in which the military is
attempting to involuntarily discharge (kick out) a member from the
military. If the member is involuntarily
discharged, they not only face the loss of their military career, but they often
face a less than fully honorable service characterization, loss of retirement,
and loss of certain benefits.
In this case, the officer client faced the BOI, being accused of
serious or recurring misconduct, based on multiple allegations of misconduct
and several adverse actions that had been served. Unlike military courts-martial, the government’s
burden of proof at an administrative board hearing such as this is not beyond a
reasonable doubt. Rather, it is the
lesser preponderance of the evidence standard.
At the BOI hearing, we challenged and/or mitigated all of the government’s
allegations and the prior adverse actions, calling witnesses, cross-examining
the government’s witnesses, and presenting evidence. Ultimately, after closing arguments and
deliberations, the three O-6 panel members returned a decision that there was
no basis for discharge, and the officer client was retained in the military.
Because of the nature of administrative board hearings, no identifying
specifics about this particular case can be discussed. While the defense was successful in this
case, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and
success in some previous case(s) does not guarantee success in any particular
future case. No military lawyer or
civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law as we
do, can guarantee the outcome of any military case.
For more information about the military justice system,
particularly involuntary discharge actions, please see:
For descriptions of other military cases defended by attorney
Richard V. Stevens this year, please see:
For descriptions of military cases defended by attorney Richard V.
Stevens in recent previous years, please see:
2106 Cases:
2015 Cases:
2014 Cases:
2013 Cases:
2012 Cases:
2011 Cases:
Attorney Stevens has been handling military cases on and off
active duty since 1995. We offer free
consultations for a military 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
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.
http://www.militaryadvocate.com
Blog postscript: I (attorney Richard V. Stevens) am a former
active duty military lawyer (JAG). My perspectives and advice, therefore, are
based upon my experience as military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal
defense lawyer 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 for a free consultation. These military defense law offices
are located in the Northern Florida/Georgia areas, but the military defense
representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever
the client is stationed around the world.
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