Civilian Court-Martial Defense Lawyer: End of Year Wrap-Up and Welcome to 2026

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Another year has come to an end and it was another particularly gratifying year of defending those who defend us through their military service!  We sincerely thank our clients for allowing us the privilege of representing them and their families.  Thank you all so much for your service and your sacrifice!

As former active duty military defense JAG lawyers, and now as civilian court-martial defense attorneys, we strive to help military members and their families during very difficult times.  Therefore, we measure a “successful” year by how well we were able to help our clients and their families with outcomes that positively resolve the military cases, allegations, adverse actions and investigations they faced.   

Looking back on 2025, it was marked by positive outcomes and grateful clients – from court-martial trials dropped and won to successful appeals and successful rebuttals to other successfully resolved military adverse actions and discipline.  These positive case outcomes are extremely gratifying for us.  Some of the successes from this past year have been documented on our blog (when we have time to post updates). 

Here are some links to blog posts describing the successful outcomes of some of my 2025 cases:

2025 Year-End Case Summaries:

Back-To-Back Sexual Assault Trials:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyers.html

Five Sexual Assault Cases:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_8.html

NCO Maltreatment Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_9.html

Senior Military Officer Fraud Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_13.html

Senior Officer Adverse Action Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/11/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_17.html

Military Pilot Flying Evaluation Board Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/11/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_7.html

Military Officer Adverse Action Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/11/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Military Officer Adverse Action Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_12.html

Two Senior Officer OGD Cases:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_10.html

Senior Officer Security Clearance Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2025/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Moreover, some client reviews for this year, and past years, can be found here:

https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/20005-dc-richard-stevens-693211/review.html

We are very thankful for the successful outcomes we have been able to secure for our clients this past year.  For ease of researching, here are links to my year-end blog posts, and case outcomes, from recent previous years:

2024 Year-End Case Summaries:

Sexual Assault Court-Martial Trial:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/12/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyers.html

Officer Involuntary Administrative Discharge Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_15.html

Rape, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/10/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Officer Drug Cases (Two Cases):

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_18.html

OGD Rebuttal Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_16.html

BCMR Appeal Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_12.html

Extortion Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_5.html

Rape and Sexual Assault (Two Cases):

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_3.html

Involuntary Administrative Discharge (Two Cases):

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Sexual Assault Court-Martial Trial:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/09/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyers.html

Flying Evaluation Board (Two Cases):

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/08/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Senior Officer Record Cleared:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/04/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_13.html

Rape and Sexual Assault Case:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/04/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board (FNAEB) (Two Cases):

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2024/03/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

2023 Year-End Case Summaries:

Military Officer BOI (Administrative Discharge) Hearing:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/08/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Military Pilot FEB:

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/07/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Senior Officer BOI (Administrative Discharge) Hearing:

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/06/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Rape and Sexual Assault (Five Cases):

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/05/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Senior Officer Assault Conviction Set Aside:

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/05/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_24.html

Officer Administrative Discipline (Two Cases):

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2023/05/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_35.html

2022 Year-End Case Summaries:

Rape and Sexual Assault: 

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/12/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Rape and Sexual Assault: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/11/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_13.html

Senior Officer Professional Misconduct: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/11/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Senior Officer Professional Misconduct: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/07/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_9.html

Rape and Sexual Assault: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/07/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

Retired Senior Officer, Officer Grade Determination (OGD): 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/06/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_95.html

Officer Professional Misconduct: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/06/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_12.html

Larceny (Alleged PCS Voucher Fraud): 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/06/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_18.html

Two Rape and Sexual Assault Cases: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/06/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

2021 Cases: 

https://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2022/01/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer.html

2011-2020 Cases: 

http://militaryadvocate.blogspot.com/2021/01/civilian-court-martial-defense-lawyer_12.html 

As we always caution prospective clients, while the military court-martial trials and other military cases described in our blog posts were successfully defended, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, evidence, and participants, and success in previous military courts-martial and military cases does not guarantee success in any particular future court-martial or military case.  No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military case or military trial. 

This past year, I defended, represented, advised, counseled or otherwise assisted clients and/or handled cases out of:

- USMC Camp Pendleton (California)

- USMC Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms (California)

- USMC Camp Lejeune (North Carolina)

- USMC Marine Corps Base Quantico (Virginia)

- USMC Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (California)

 

- NAS Oceana (Virginia)

- NAS Pensacola (Florida)

- NAS Whidbey Island (Washington State)

- Channel Islands Air National Guard Station (CIANGS)

- HQ U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC (Wash. Naval Yard)

 

- The Pentagon

 

- U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO)

- Eielson AFB (Fairbanks, AK)

- Goodfellow AFB (San Angelo, TX)

- Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (Texas)

- Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston (Texas)

- Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (DMV, DC)

- Joint Base Andrews (Maryland)

- Hickam AFB (Hawaii)

- Grand Forks AFB (North Dakota)

- Creech AFB (Nevada)

- Nellis AFB (Nevada)

- Hurlburt Field (Florida)

- Laughlin AFB (Del Rio, Texas)

- Dyess AFB (Texas)

- Travis AFB (California)

- Shaw AFB (South Carolina)

 

- Fort Belvoir (DMV Virginia)

- Fort Meade (DMV Maryland)

- Fort Bragg (Fayetteville, North Carolina) [Formerly Fort Liberty]

- Fort Hood (Killeen, Texas) [Formerly Fort Cavazos]

- Fort Polk (Leesville, Louisiana) [Formerly Fort Johnson]

- Carlisle Barracks (Pennsylvania)

 

Some of the cases, allegations and military law issues I handled this past year included:

- Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct (UCMJ Article 120)

- Aggravated Assault and Physical Assault and Battery (UCMJ Article 128)

- Larceny, Wrongful Appropriation, Contract Fraud, BAH Fraud, PCS Fraud, Travel Voucher Fraud (UCMJ Article 121)

- Insubordination, Failure to Obey Lawful Orders, & Dereliction of Duty (UCMJ Articles 91 & 92)

- Drug Offenses: Wrongful Use, Possession, Introduction, Distribution of Controlled Substances (UCMJ Article 112a)

- Child Physical and Sexual Abuse (UCMJ Article 120)

- False Official Statement (UCMJ Article 107)

- Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman (UCMJ Article 133)

- UCMJ Article 134 offenses including:

  - Adultery

  - Fraternization

  - Sexual Harassment

  - Receipt, possession and/or distribution of child pornography

  - Obstruction of Justice

  - Wrongfully communicating a threat

  - Wrongfully posting sexual pictures online

 

Some of the adverse actions I have defended against this past year have included:

- Court-martial trials and court-martial clemency (general court-martial and special court-martial)

- Administrative discharge boards, administrative separation boards (ADSEP)

- Officer Elimination Actions, Board of Inquiry (BOI), Show Cause actions

- Senior Officer Investigations and Discipline

- Officer Grade Determination (OGD)

- Article 15, Nonjudicial Punishment (NJP)

- Performance report appeals (OER, NCOER, OPR/OPB, EPR/EPB)

- Board for Corrections of Military Records (BCMR) (BCNR) appeals in different military branches

- Discharge Review Board (DRB) appeals in different military branches

- Medical De-Credentialing, Privileging Actions

- Flying Evaluation Boards (FEB) and Navy FNAEBs

- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests

- Military Academy discipline, disenrollment, boards, and appeals

Given the potential consequences to military careers, families and personal freedom when facing military discipline, adverse action and/or court-martial trial, it is critical to be defended by a lawyer with experience in military law.  For those seeking assistance, we offer free initial case consultations. 

Please contact us by:

Toll Free Phone:  (888) 399-0693

E-mail:  militarylawfirm@gmail.com

Website:  www.militaryadvocate.com

 

Attorneys:  

http://militaryadvocate.com/about-us/ 

 

In the News:

http://militaryadvocate.com/Appearances/ 

 

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 Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!  To all the American military families out there, particularly those separated from each other due to military service, a very special thank you.  In the words of USMC Father Dennis O'Brien:

---------------------------------------------------------| 

THE SOLDIER

It is the soldier,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protesters to burn the flag.

---------------------------------------------------------|

Pilgrim Edward Winslow describes the first Thanksgiving in 1621:

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.

By:  Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://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 a 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 Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAS ADVERSE ACTION DROPPED

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a field grade military officer represented by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had the military adverse action he faced dropped by his commander.    

Because this was an administrative case, and there are Privacy Act and service branch regulations regarding case information, specific details will be withheld.  However, this senior military officer hired attorney Richard V. Stevens, from the Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C., to represent him based on an allegation and adverse action he was facing in the military.  If this action stuck, he would not be promoted and his career progression would end.  Further, this would have impacted his eventual military retirement grade and pay.  So, despite this being an adverse action, there was a lot on the line.    

In response to the adverse action, we submitted a comprehensive rebuttal package.  This package included corroborating evidence and character letters we obtained.  In addition, the client had a personal presentation that we prepared him for, in which he presented his case to the commander.  Based on the rebuttal package and the client’s personal presentation, the commander dropped the adverse action.

While the representation in this military case was successful, 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 involving administrative disciplinary actions, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/administrative-discipline-actions/

We offer free consultations for a case you may be involved in.  Just call us. 

Thank you. 

Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://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 Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, DMV, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: MILITARY PILOT REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAS HIS FEB RECOMMENDATION APPROVED BY COMMAND

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a military pilot defended by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had his Flying Evaluation Board (FEB) recommendation to continue flying in his jet approved. 

The pilot faced an FEB for alleged violations of flight rules. 

Military pilots – both fixed wing and rotary wing – can face adverse actions against their authorization to fly for a variety of reasons.  Mishaps and crashes.  Alleged violations of flight rules.  Alleged safety violations.  Failure to progress in training.  In these adverse actions, the pilot could face being reassigned or even permanently grounded (disqualified from further aviation service).  In certain aggravated cases, the pilot could also face losing the right to wear their wings on their uniform. 

For military pilots, these boards go by different names.

In the Navy, it is called the Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board (FNAEB).  In the Marine Corps, it is the Field Flight Performance Board (FFPB) and Flight Status Selection Board (FSSB).  In the Air Force and Army, it is the Flying Evaluation Board (FEB).  There are also other boards for military aviation issues, depending on the type of aviation incident involved.  This includes Safety Investigation Board (SIB), Accident Investigation Board (AIB), and/or Command Directed Investigation (CDI).

A flying board in the military is a formal administrative hearing before fellow pilots in which recommendations are made about whether the respondent pilot should remain in aviation service, and whether that pilot can continue to wear his/her wings.  Based on that recommendation, the pilot could continue his/her military career, or he/she could face the loss of their flying career, military career, and be involuntarily administratively discharged from the service.

It is important to understand that after hearing all of the testimony and considering all of the evidence in the hearing, the Board members make a recommendation – which may or may not be followed.  In this FEB case, the Board members concluded that the pilot should be reinstated to continue flying his fighter aircraft.  That recommendation, however, still had to be approved by the command of the aviation community.  Thankfully, the command approved the FEB’s recommendation, which reinstated the pilot to continue flying his jet. 

While this military aviation case resulted in a positive outcome, 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 involving aviation issues and Flying Evaluation Boards, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/flying-evaluation-board/

We offer free consultations for a case you may be involved in.  Just call us. 

Thank you. 

Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://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 Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.