CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: MILITARY DEFENSE LAW OFFICES OF RICHARD V. STEVENS

Friday, November 13, 2026

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: THREE SEPARATE SENIOR MILITARY MEMBERS (IN DIFFERENT SERVICE BRANCHES) REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAVE CASES DROPPED

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, three separate senior military members in different service branches who faced military command investigations had their cases dropped and they were returned to full duty. The accused military members were all defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.).

In the military justice system and military discipline system, there are various types of investigations that can have severe impacts on a military member’s career. Some of those include:

- Military Law Enforcement (CID, AFOSI, NCIS, CGIS)

- Military Police (SFOI or S-2, Military Police)

- Command-Directed Investigations (CDI, AR 15-6, JAGMAN)

- IG Investigations

- MEO Investigations

For retirement eligible senior military members, a “substantiated” investigation can lead to future altering discipline, and can also lead to an officer grade determination (OGD) retirement grade determination (RGD).

The military cases briefly described in this blog post involved senior military members who faced allegations that ultimately resulted in the case being dropped and the clients being cleared to return to duty.

Case #1

This case was against a senior, retirement eligible, military officer suspected of making an inappropriate joke and inappropriate comments in his military duty section. A command investigation was conducted, in which the defense made written submissions. After the investigation was completed, no disciplinary action was taken and the senior officer was cleared to retire honorably.

Case #2

This case was against a senior, retirement eligible, noncommissioned officer (NCO) who was accused of violating rules of conduct during an overseas TDY. A command investigation was conducted in which the defense made submissions, to include pointing out that previous false allegations had been levied against the NCO by the same complainant. After the investigation was completed, no disciplinary action was taken and the senior NCO was cleared to move on to his next assignment, and to retire honorably in the future.

Case #3

This case was against a senior, retirement eligible, officer who was suspected of engaging in a prohibited extramarital relationship. A command investigation was conducted, in which the defense made a written submission. After the investigation was completed, no disciplinary action was taken and the senior officer was cleared to continue in his current assignment and to retire honorably in the future.

Because these cases did not proceed past the investigation stage, and were administrative in nature, no further information is available. The important take-aways from these military cases are:

- These investigations can have a severe impact on the career, retirement, and future of senior military members.

- It is crucial to have experienced defense counsel on your side during these investigations.

- If you are a military member and you face command investigations, the situation is not hopeless, even if it feels like it is. Just because you are suspected of misconduct or violating standards does not mean that you will end up facing disciplinary action, or losing your career or retirement. But, you must take these investigations very seriously, and take your decisions about representation very seriously.

While these senior military member investigations were 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.

Attorney Richard V. Stevens has successfully defended countless senior military members facing military investigations of some type over more than 30 years of his legal career. For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases alleging command investigations, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/command-investigations/

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

Thank you.

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

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

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.

Thursday, November 12, 2026

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: SENIOR MILITARY NCO REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAS SEXUAL ASSAULT COURT-MARTIAL CASE DROPPED (UCMJ ARTICLE 120)

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) represented and defended by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had the sexual assault court-martial case he faced dropped by the military (UCMJ Article 120).

The NCO client was accused of sexually assaulting several peers in the military. The complainants claimed that the NCO touched them sexually without their consent during different drinking scenarios on a TDY. The client was placed on administrative hold pending court-martial and a long investigation followed. Attorney Richard V. Stevens was hired by the NCO client to represent him in the investigation. During the investigation, as more information was uncovered about the complainants, their claims, and their behavior, the case grew weaker. When the military was prepared to prefer court-martial charges against the client, they agreed that they would, instead, drop the court-martial case and address the case administratively instead.

Had there been a court-martial trial and sex crime conviction in this case, the senior NCO client could have been sentenced to a punitive discharge (dishonorable discharge), a lengthy term of confinement in prison and, in addition, he would have been required to register as a sex offender. Thankfully, the court-martial case was dropped and the client were spared this risk of significant negative impacts for his future. He was able to retire from the military.

While this military court-martial and sexual assault 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 and see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/military-offenses/sex-crimes/

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

Thank you.

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

Civilian Criminal Defense Lawyer and Military Defense Lawyer

https://militaryadvocate.com/

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: FOUR SEPARATE MILITARY MEMBERS (IN DIFFERENT SERVICE BRANCHES) REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAVE COMPUTER CRIMES CASES DROPPED (UCMJ Article 134 and Articles 120(b) and 120(c))

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, over this past year, four separate military members in different service branches who faced proposed court-martial cases in which they were accused of military computer crimes had their cases dropped and they were returned to full duty. The accused military members were all defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.).

When it comes to using computers or devices (phone, tablet) for an inappropriate sexual purpose, these allegations are treated very seriously in the military justice system. Depending on the alleged facts of the case, certain sexually-based computer crimes in the military can be addressed by UCMJ Article 134 (CSAM/porn materials), UCMJ Article 120(b) (lewd act with a child) and/or UCMJ Article 120(c) (indecent viewing or broadcasting or indecent exposure).

In the military, computer systems are on the “low side” or the “high side”. The “high side” generally means that these military computer systems are on a highly classified computer network. These military computers and computer systems require a specialized security clearance, strict national security rules, and training.

The “low side” generally means that unclassified or lower classified information is stored and communicated via this military computer network. These are the day-to-day working computers at the desks of all military members. These computers and networks still are required to be used “for official use only (FOUO)” or handling “controlled unclassified information (CUI).” In other words, military members are only supposed to be using these computers for official military duties.

The military cases briefly described in this blog post alleged that these four different clients used their low side daily military computers, or their personal computers and/or devices, for unauthorized or illegal sexual activities.

Case #1

This case was against a senior military officer suspected of sending and receiving inappropriate sexually-oriented materials via his personal devices. This case arose based on an alleged NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) notification. The investigation involved military law enforcement, civilian agencies, a search of the client’s home and personal devices. After interviews, submissions, and a lengthy investigation, the case against the senior military officer was dropped, and he was cleared to continue on to his next assignment.

Case #2

This case was against a junior enlisted military member suspected of sending and receiving inappropriate sexually-oriented materials via his personal devices. This case also arose based on an alleged NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) notification. The investigation involved military law enforcement, civilian agencies, a civilian law enforcement detention, and a search of the client’s personal devices. After submissions and a lengthy investigation, the case against this junior military member was dropped, and he was cleared to finish his military enlistment.

Case #3

This case was against a military noncommissioned officer (NCO) suspected of sending and receiving, or possessing, inappropriate sexually-oriented materials via his personal devices. This case also arose based on an alleged NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) notification. The investigation involved military law enforcement, civilian agencies, and a search of the client’s personal devices as well as his low side military computer. After submissions and a lengthy investigation, the case against this NCO was dropped, and he was cleared to PCS to his next duty assignment.

Case #4

This fourth case was against a senior military NCO suspected of communicating with a minor via his personal device. This case arose based on witness allegations and personal communications. The investigation involved military law enforcement, civilian law enforcement, and a search of the client’s personal devices. After submissions and a lengthy investigation, the case against this senior NCO was dropped, and he was cleared to retire from the military.

Each of these clients were temporarily pulled from their duties, placed on administrative hold, and were expected to proceed to a court-martial (military trial) or discharge board hearing. After extensive investigations, however, the claims could not be substantiated. Because these cases did not proceed past the investigation stage, no further information is available.

The important take-aways from these military cases are:

- These cases are treated very seriously, and can involve multiple military and civilian agencies.

- The investigations into these allegations can be lengthy, and can involve searches and seizures of military and personal computers and devices.

- It is crucial to have experienced defense counsel on your side during these investigations.

- If you are a military member and you face these allegations, the situation is not hopeless, even if it feels like it is. Just because you are suspected of a serious criminal offense does not mean that you will end up in a court-martial or a jail cell – or that your military career is over. But, you must take these allegations very seriously, and take your decisions about representation very seriously.

Had there been a court-martial conviction in any of these four alleged computer crime cases, these clients would have received a federal criminal conviction, and would have faced the end of their military careers and the possibility of a sentence that could have included significant prison time and/or a punitive discharge (dismissal, dishonorable discharge, or bad conduct discharge). Thankfully, each of these four military members did not end up facing a court-martial or discharge board or other military discipline. They were cleared and moved on with their military careers.

While these serious computer crimes cases were 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.

Attorney Richard V. Stevens has successfully defended many alleged military computer crime cases over more than 30 years of his legal career. For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases alleging sexually-based computer crimes, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/computer-crime-defense/

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

Thank you.

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

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

https://militaryadvocate.com/

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: MILITARY OFFICER REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF ALLEGED ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL TRIAL (UCMJ Article 112a)

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a military officer who faced a general court-martial (GCM) trial in which he was accused of illegal drug use was found not guilty (UCMJ Article 112a). The accused military member was defended by military law attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.).

The officer client was accused of illegal drug use based on a failed urinalysis test. In the military, drug testing can be based on different legal justifications – random urinalysis testing, unit sweeps, probable cause drug testing, consent urinalysis testing, command-directed drug testing, and Bickel safety drug testing.

In this case, the accused military officer failed a random drug test, and was taken to trial by general court-martial. A general court-martial trial is a federal criminal trial that is similar to a felony criminal trial in the civilian justice system. The litigation of this case relied heavily on scientific testing and expert testimony, including expert forensic toxicologists and pharmacologists. Two experts testified for each side in the case.

Ultimately, based on the scientific evidence and expert testimony presented by the defense in trial, the accused officer client was found not guilty by the military judge.

Had there been a conviction in this alleged illegal drug use case, the client would have received a federal criminal conviction, and he would have faced the end of his military career and the possibility of a sentence that could have included prison time and/or a dismissal (equivalent of a dishonorable discharge). Thankfully, the officer was not convicted and was cleared to continue his military career.

While this serious illegal drug use allegation in this military general court-martial trial 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.

Attorney Richard V. Stevens has successfully defended many alleged military drug use cases over more than 30 years of his legal career. In addition to alleged drug use, he has defended military cases alleging illegal drug possession, illegal drug distribution, illegal drug selling, introduction of illegal drugs onto a military installation or vessel – all in violation of UCMJ Article 112a. Mr. Stevens has been practicing military law since 1995.

For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases alleging illegal drug crimes, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/drug-crimes/

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

Thank you.

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

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

https://militaryadvocate.com/