Court-Martial Lawyers – Military Defense Attorneys

Elite Court-Martial Defense for All Branches of the U.S. Military

If you’re under investigation or facing a court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), your career, freedom, and future are at risk. Court-martials are federal criminal trials, and the consequences of a conviction can follow you for life. You need more than a defense — you need a strategic battle plan and an elite team of military defense attorneys with the experience, reputation, and courtroom skills to fight back.

At Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law, we are internationally recognized court-martial lawyers who defend service members worldwide. We have tried hundreds of UCMJ cases across all branches and fight relentlessly to win the toughest, most complex cases — from rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence to murder, war crimes, and espionage.

Why Court-Martial Charges Are So Dangerous

Being charged under the UCMJ is not like a civilian case. The military justice system is fast, command-influenced, and often stacked against the accused. Once you’re in the system, you’re fighting against investigators, prosecutors, command staff, and even biased “victim advocates” who want to see a conviction — not justice.

• Commanders can initiate charges even when evidence is weak or uncorroborated
• Article 120 (sexual assault) cases often proceed with no physical evidence
• Military prosecutors have unlimited government resources
• Judges and panel members are trained to prioritize order and discipline
• A conviction results in a federal criminal record and can destroy your civilian future

Types of Court-Martial Proceedings We Defend

We represent service members at every level of the military justice system:

• Summary Court-Martial: Limited rights, up to 30 days confinement, for minor offenses
• Special Court-Martial: Misdemeanor-level trial with max punishment of 1 year, BCD possible
• General Court-Martial: Felony-level trial with serious prison time and dishonorable discharge
• Article 32 Hearings: Preliminary hearing used to evaluate charges — often ignored by command

Common UCMJ Offenses We Fight

• Article 120 – Sexual assault, rape, and abusive sexual contact
• Article 118 – Murder and manslaughter
• Article 128b – Domestic violence
• Article 92 – Failure to obey lawful orders
• Article 112a – Drug use, distribution, and possession
• Article 134 – General misconduct, fraternization, obstruction, false official statements
• Article 85/86 – AWOL and desertion

What Makes Gonzalez & Waddington Different

• Led by Michael Waddington, former Army JAG and globally recognized trial lawyer
• Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is a respected courtroom strategist with years of successful defense work
• We’ve tried hundreds of courts-martial in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
• We wrote the book on cross-examining military accusers in sex crime cases
• We do not plea out weak cases — we fight to win
• We provide aggressive, discreet, and battle-tested representation

What You Risk Without the Right Defense Team

• Confinement ranging from months to life
• Dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge
• Loss of retirement and VA benefits
• Sex offender registration (for Article 120 offenses)
• Destruction of reputation, civilian career, and personal life
• Crippling financial and emotional consequences

We Defend Cases Worldwide

Our court-martial defense lawyers represent service members across the globe — including at bases in the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and deployed combat zones. Whether your case is at Fort Bragg, Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, or overseas in Germany or Japan, we will defend you with the same intensity and professionalism that built our reputation.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

If you’re under investigation, facing charges, or preparing for an Article 32 hearing or court-martial, contact us immediately. The government is building its case — don’t wait until it’s too late to build yours.

➤ Request a Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington

Court-Martial Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions