Presenting a Strong Defense at Your Article 32 Hearing
Military men and women devote their lives to serving their country and experience an inordinate amount of stress and pressure while doing so. Long periods of time away from home, living in a constant state of anxiety over unpredictable tasks or missions, and witnessing violence and death all take their toll. Military service members do the best they can while on active duty, but sometimes their actions are frowned upon by others, leading to potential court-martial. But military service members, just like civilians, have rights.
According to Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), no military service member may be referred to a general court-martial without first having the right to a hearing where the facts of the case against them are presented after an impartial and thorough investigation into the alleged offense. This hearing is not only to hear the arguments brought against a military service member, however, it is also held in order to provide an opportunity for the accused to present evidence on their behalf.
Article 32 also gives the accused the right to have legal representation at the hearing in order to cross-examine witnesses (if available) as well as provide any other evidence or statements on the accused’s behalf. Having strong legal representation here is essential to stopping any unwarranted action that could jeopardize a service member’s military career and/or future opportunities or stability.
As a former Marine, military defense attorney Joseph H. Low IV, of The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, understands the challenges that face active military men and women and is committed to making sure that they are not unjustly prosecuted. If you are facing an Article 32 hearing, Mr. Low would be honored to help you.