Military Courts Martial in Lake Charles
Experienced Lake Charles Legal Representation for Military Offenses
Every day young men and women join and enlist into an entirely volunteer service to serve our country. These men and women are heroes to all of us, but even these heroes are still human and make mistakes. So what happens when these heroes make mistakes? How is that conduct governed?
First and foremost, it is important to tell you that your constitutional rights do not simply cease the minute you join the military. You have the right to what is known as “civilian defense counsel” rather than the detailed defense counsel that may be assigned to your case. Why is it important to consider employing civilian defense counsel? To put simply: to level the playing field.
At Sudduth & Associates, we commonly like to use the phrase that we “level the playing field” but we want to take a minute and explain exactly what that means. Think for a moment of all the resources in the possession of the United States Government: an entire team of Criminal Investigation Division (“CID”) agents and officers to investigate an alleged offense, officers called upon to conduct AR-15 investigations that can lead to all important charging decisions, officers to investigate a case and question witnesses, forensic equipment and laboratories to test evidence, and finally prosecutors, with their own investigators, armed with virtually unlimited resources with which to effectively prosecute the accused. It is as easy to see as it is overwhelming just how stacked the deck is against the accused.
Understanding the Military Court System
If you are accused, you need a team of investigators, paralegals, clerks, and attorneys who can just as aggressively defend the charge as the Government can prosecute one. At Sudduth and Associates, we pride ourselves with being that leveling force for so many people.
Second, the importance of having an attorney that is experienced in front of a military tribunal simply cannot be understated. The law is a foreign language to many people other than lawyers trained in its intricacies. A military court is a foreign language and world in and of itself, even to lawyers. Thus, having a civilian lawyer that also understands all the protocols, procedures, and even linguistics of military justice proceedings gives you as the accused a “leg up” from day one.
Our Armed Forces are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”) which is not simply a different procedure than civilian court – it contains even it’s own substantive law. As one simple example: adultery. Adultery is not a crime in civilian court, yet in military court it is a violation of the UCMJ and can be prosecuted by a Judge Advocate General. The system of military justice contains it’s own rules of evidence, its own procedural rules, its own crimes, and it’s own internal appeals process. It is truly a system of justice entirely independent of any civilian interference. Our team is experienced with defending service members in this truly unique justice system and it is that experience that as a service member you desperately need when you are trying to level the playing field.
We are proud to stand with those service members who fight and defend us every day. If you are a service member who finds yourself facing a difficult situation and need fighters who will stand in your corner to fight on your behalf, feel free to give our team a call and we are happy to help you level the playing field.
The Advantage of a Former Prosecutor on Your Side Client Reviews
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"Overall, I had an extremely positive experience and am grateful for Ryan Smith help."Mr Smith was quick to respond, helpful in answering all my questions, understanding in my needs/situation and patient in dealing with me. Even after a misread of the contract price on my part, he quickly corrected my misunderstanding and handle the situati- Ana R.
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"Superior to all other attorneys in Lake Charles and his Staff is well-above par."James Sudduth is a brilliant legal mind and a premier up and coming attorney. Highly recommend him. Superior to all other attorneys in Lake Charles and his Staff is well-above par.- Former Client
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"They truly care about the legal issues I face, and aren't just 'going through the motions.'"James & his caring team of professionals are a cut above the rest. They truly care about the legal issues I face, and aren't just 'going through the motions.' It's been a tremendous help during this transitional period in my life to have Jame- Ashley
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