Facing a Court-Martial?
Get the Defense You Deserve.

Experienced San Diego-Based Military Attorneys
Defending Service Members Worldwide Since 1987.

Facing a Court-Martial?
Get the Defense You Deserve.

Experienced San Diego-Based Military Attorneys
Defending Service Members Worldwide Since 1987.

Aggressive, reliable defense for U.S. service members when it matters most.
San Diego Based / Worldwide Military Representation
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Your Rights, Our Fight: Military Legal Defense

Facing a military court-martial can feel overwhelming. Our experienced defense attorneys are here to protect your rights, preserve your future, and guide you through every step of the military justice process.

Facing a military court-martial can be a terrifying experience, leaving you feeling isolated, confused, and uncertain about your future. The stakes are high, with potential consequences that could impact your career, your freedom, and your reputation. You need a trusted legal partner who understands the complexities of military law and will fight tirelessly to protect your rights.

At Military Law Center, we’ve dedicated our careers to defending the rights of service members facing military justice challenges. Our experienced military defense attorneys have a proven track record of success in court-martial defense, administrative separations, and other military legal matters. We’ll be your advocate, guiding you through the legal process and fighting for the best possible outcome.

How We Can Help:

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Call us Today at (760) 536-9038 or complete the below form for a free, no obligation initial consultation.

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Why Legal Representation Matters:

Military law is complex and ever-evolving. An experienced civilian military attorney can navigate the legal intricacies of your case and ensure your rights are protected throughout the court-martial process.

The Importance of Legal Representation:

  • Negotiating lesser charges or alternative punishments.
  • Suppressing evidence obtained illegally.
  • Challenging the jurisdiction of the court-martial.
  • Ensuring a fair and impartial hearing.
  • Filing appeals if necessary.

Benefits of Civilian vs. Military Defense Counsel:

While you are entitled to appointed military defense counsel at a General Court-Martial, there are significant advantages to retaining a civilian attorney specializing in military law:

  • Experience and Specialization: Civilian attorneys focus solely on military law and stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments. They may have more courtroom experience than detailed military attorneys who handle a wider range of legal issues.
  • Objectivity and Aggressiveness: Civilian attorneys are not part of the military chain of command and can provide a more objective and aggressive defense.
  • Caseload and Availability: Detailed military attorneys may have a high caseload, limiting the time and attention they can devote to your case. A civilian attorney can provide more personalized attention.
  • Investigative Resources: Civilian attorneys may have access to greater investigative resources than those available to military counsel.

The Court-Martial Process: From Investigation to Appeals:

A court-martial is a serious legal proceeding with distinct stages. Understanding these stages can help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

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Investigation:

Military law enforcement investigates the alleged offense. You may be questioned during this stage. It’s crucial to remain silent and seek legal counsel immediately.

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Preferral of Charges:

Charges are presented to you by your commander. An Article 32 hearing may be held before charges are referred to a General Court-Martial (unless waived by the accused).

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Arraignment:

You are formally read the charges against you and defer the entry of pleas for a later date in accordance with the Trial Management Order.

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Motions Practice:

Your attorney can file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence or challenge the jurisdiction of the court-martial.

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Assembly:

The court-martial is convened, and members are selected (if applicable). You will have the opportunity to challenge the selection of members for bias.

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Trial:

The prosecution presents evidence to prove your guilt, and you have the opportunity to present a defense. The rules of evidence are complex, and an experienced attorney is essential to ensure they are followed correctly.

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Sentencing:

If convicted, the court will determine your punishment. Your attorney can argue for a lesser sentence or alternative punishments.

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Appeals:

You have the right to appeal the verdict or sentence. An experienced attorney can guide you through the appeals process.

What Our Clients Say

  • Hiring the Military Law Center to represent our son was the best decision we could have made. Attorney Barthel’s knowledge of and experience with the UCMJ made all the difference in getting the best outcome possible. In a process that we were not familiar with, it was comforting to have such skilled counsel.

    Philip Lanzafame
    Philip Lanzafame
  • Attorney Barthel and Military Law Center were incredible advocates. They were extremely responsive, attentive, respectful, and detail oriented. Mr. Barthel carefully examined every aspect of my case, while using the help of his team, to ensure a favorable and fair outcome. I highly recommend Mr. Barthel and Military Law Center. I have used and known many different lawyers in my life, and Mr. Barthel’s advocacy ranks among the highest.

    J
    J
  • Kevin is one of the most effective attorneys I’ve seen. He’s a creative problem solver, always professional, and gets top results. Not a plea pusher, he advocates for his clients and is not afraid to call out the government for their shortcomings. He left active duty service with one of the most impressive records at court-martial and is an invaluable asset for the team. Highly communicative, he is always available for a call and can explain the issues and options in a way that is easily understandable.

    Eric
    Eric
  • Mr. Barthel looked at the NCIS investigation, picked it apart and did his own investigation into the allegations. Not only was Mr. Barthel able to prove I had an alibi at the time of the alleged incident, but his investigation revealed facts that were overlooked by NCIS that destroyed the alleged victim’s credibility. At trial, Mr. Barthel tore apart every witness the government called. In the end, the jury at the general court-martial found me not guilty of the allegation. Throughout the entire court-martial process, Mr. Barthel was always available to answer any questions I had or that anyone else involved with the case might have. Mr. Barthel went above and beyond expectations with working past working hours and making himself available to talk outside of normal working hours. He kept me up to speed on everything going on with the case and went through everything with me to ensure that I had full understanding of the whole process and the case. I am so glad I decided to use Mr. Barthel at the Military Law Center. I would strongly recommend his services to anyone in the military who needs help with their case.

    LCpl J.D.
    LCpl J.D.
  • I can’t thank Kevin enough for how he handled my case and helped me get my case dismissed. During our consult, he gave me a game plan of what needed to happen and what I needed to provide him in order for him to get to work on my case. I sent him the required documents and he took care of the rest. Kept me informed through out the process and always kept me in the loop of what was happening. I was facing a special court martial in the Marine Corps in 2022. Not only was Kevin able to get my case dismissed, he also got the Command to agree to medically separate me like I should have been back in 2012. I cannot thank Kevin enough for what he has done for me. I went from looking at getting a dishonorable discharge and reduced all the way down to private for deserting in 2012, to keeping my rank, my honor and getting medically separated from the Marine Corps. Thank you Kevin, I will forever be grateful. I would 100% recommend his services to anyone looking for a great attorney that will guide you in the right direction.

    Marco
    Marco
  • I was charged with article 120 towards the end of my Marine Corps career. It was a bad situation from the get go, she made a false sexual assault allegation to cover up her mistake. It was basically my word versus hers. On top of the “he said she said '' was a very biased investigation done by NCIS which kind of left evidence up in the air. Thankfully I had Kevin in my corner to walk me through everything. It was a very long painful process but I was always in the loop and always felt like I was being taken care of. Kevin even helped me with the unfair treatment from my chain of command and always ensured that this painful process wasn’t as bad. During the trial process he was working day in and day out with his team, there was never a time that I felt he wasn’t putting in all of his effort towards the case. He was every smart and articulate in the court room and was able to clearly poke holes in every single one of the Trial Counsels arguments. There was never a time that he was taken by surprise with what anyone on the trial counsel had to say. During the week of the trial Kevin was confident with what they had prepared and was able to lighten the mood during such a horrible time, even taking time to make sure my wife was in the loop and feeling good about the situation. I would recommend Kevin to anyone, he’s a great lawyer and a great man.

    anonymous
    anonymous
  • Mr. Courtney represented me in a Special Court Martial regarding illegal drug use within the United States military. He brought many points to the table that the prosecutor could not see, Mr. Courtney helped me to understand the laws much more that I thought I was able to. I am very happy with how the results of his hard work turned out.

    Caroline
    Caroline
  • Kevin helped me beat a case in the Marine Corps. He was very helpful and meticulous with everything. He listened to everything I said and had my back from the beginning. Thanks to him I finished my contract honorably.

    Samantha
    Samantha
  • My son in law who was in the Marine Corps was facing charges for possession of child pornography. I wanted to ensure that my son-in-law was represented by an attorney with experience in military law, and Gary Barthel came highly recommended by a trusted attorney and friend. Gary Barthel was instrumental in guiding us through the entire general court martial and military justice process. As a result of his thorough preparation and development of a strong sentencing case, Gary succeeded in getting the Court to dismiss the government’s request for eight-year confinement and instead the Judge only awarded our son-in-law 18 months.

    Reverend Reyenga
    Reverend Reyenga
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Don’t Wait to Act:

The consequences of not addressing a court-martial can be severe:

  • Loss of rank and pay.
  • Dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, making future employment difficult.
  • Incarceration.
  • Difficulty obtaining veterans’ benefits.

If you are under investigation or facing court-martial charges, contact a qualified civilian military defense attorney immediately.

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Military Law Center:
Your Trusted Ally

Military Law Center is a team of experienced and aggressive civilian military defense attorneys dedicated to protecting the rights of service members facing courts-martial in California and across the nation.

Military Law Center Is Ready to Help You – Right Now.
Call Us Today – (760) 536-9038