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

Friday, July 03, 2009

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July to you and yours! Before the cookouts and fireworks, please take a moment to give thanks for the brave men and women of the American military, and their families, whose courage and sacrifice ensure our freedom. And, remember the amazing story of how it all began. Happy birthday America!

Have a great and safe Independence Day!

By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC

http://www.militaryadvocate.com

Blog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard 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. 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 & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

REMEMBERING D-DAY

On 6 June 1944, the WWII Allied forces, led by the American military, invaded the beaches of Normandy, France in a major offensive push to defeat the Axis powers in Europe. War raged across Europe until, at the end of April 1945, Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, was captured and executed. Adolf Hitler, the German dictator, then committed suicide at the end of April as well.

Throughout the first week of May 1945, German forces throughout Europe laid down their arms and on 8 May 1945, Germany offered its unconditional surrender. It would be another three months, on 2 September 1945, that Japan also surrendered bringing WWII to a victorious end.

Today is the anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy; D-Day. Let us all remember the incredible sacrifices made by the American troops on that beach, the families who lost their sons that day, and the crusade that followed which kept the world free.

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By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC

http://www.militaryadvocate.com

Saturday, May 23, 2009

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

We wish you all a very happy and meaningful Memorial Day. Please take some time this weekend to reflect on the meaning of the day and to thank those brave Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

According to a story on CNN, Americans are being asked to stop what they're doing at 3:00pm today and to reflect on the meaning of the holiday and to remember those who have died defending the cause of freedom. The story goes on to say that when children were asked what Memorial Day means, they said that's when the swimming pool opens.

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=35189370&postID=8093825413668071239

While those children are right, public pools often open on Memorial Day weekend, we can never allow Memorial Day to be just a nice excuse to be off of work and having cook outs with our families. We enjoy the freedom to do this because of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many who have served in the armed forces.

In addition to those who have fallen, please also keep in your thoughts and prayers those brave Americans (and their families) who are currently serving our country, particularly overseas in the War on Terror. Thank you.

By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens,PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com

Blog postscript: Attorney Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard 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. 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 & The Law Office of Frank J. Spinner for a free consultation. Military defense law offices are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Military defense law practices are worldwide.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Attorney Richard V. Stevens and Attorney Frank J. Spinner Interviewed for "War Crimes" Articles
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Recently, The Middle East Times ran a two part article titled "The Media, Military and Murder" in which the article's author, Marcia Drezon-Tepler, tackles the difficult issue of how the United States Military handles allegations of "war crimes" or "murder" on the battlefield. While military prosecutions for these alleged crimes claim the issues are black and white, they are far from that.
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In truth, these prosecutions are often the product of "Monday morning quarterbacking" of high pressure, highly dangerous combat situations in which split second decisions are made and the "fog of battle" is a factor. And, these prosecutions often result from the military's preoccupation with public perception and media coverage. It's hard to fight a war while looking over your shoulder and wondering how engagements will play on CNN.
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Last spring, Frank Spinner and I (attorney Richard V. Stevens, Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC) defended two Army murder trials in which our respective clients were accused of "murdering" terrorist insurgents in Iraq. Both clients were fully acquitted (found not guilty of all charges). Those cases are discussed in this latest news article. My case is cited in part 1:
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http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2009/03/24/the_media_military_and_murder/4164/
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Frank's case is cited in part 2:
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http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2009/03/25/the_media_military_and_murder_-_2/1699/

This two-part article is worth reading, to understand the complexities of decisions soldiers face in combat.

As I always caveat when mentioning cases we've defended, while these military court-martial 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 case. For more information on the military justice system, please see our other blog posts.

By: Attorney Richard V. Stevens
Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer
Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, PC
http://www.militaryadvocate.com