You Need An Experienced Court Martial Defense Lawyer When Facing A Court-Martial In the United Kingdom
If you are facing UCMJ charges while stationed in the UK, you need the guidance of an experienced aggressive military defense lawyer. Cases in a foreign country are often additionally unfair because of the scrutiny placed on them by higher command and due to the local and international media attention. The risk of unlawful command influence (UCI) is even greater when a service member overseas is suspected of a crime. Commanders have a great deal of media and higher command pressure on them to prosecute in these cases and the rights of the accused service member are often only an afterthought. Only the best aggressive military defense lawyer can even the playing field.
The Risks of a Military Court Martial in the United Kingdom
Criminal convictions during your military service can ruin all the awards you have received in your military record so far and end your military career with a punitive or negative discharge. Such a discharge can make it impossible to find employment that is in line with your qualifications even after your military career is over. Even worse, a court-martial conviction without the best possible military defense usually results in significant prison time for you and the loss of financial support for any family you may have. Not only do you lose your freedom but they lose your pay, your BAH and TriCare. To ensure that you mount the best defense when facing a military investigation and court-martial, you need an aggressive, experienced military defense lawyer in the UK.
Unlike many other defense lawyers, pleading guilty is an option of last resort with Freeburg Litigation. When we take a case, we force the military prosecutors to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. We take nearly every case to trial and fight the allegations in front of a military panel or judge (depending on which is the best tactic for your individual case). Our court martial outcomes speak for themselves. You and your future is our main concern. Our court martial lawyers will work on your case from day one, always fighting aggressively in court martial and administrative separation cases in the U.S. and worldwide. Call today to consult with an experienced military defense lawyer.
Why Call Freeburg Litigation, Aggressive UCMJ Lawyers in the United Kingdom?
The experienced military defense lawyers at Freeburg Litigation have earned a reputation for defending service members at military installations worldwide. If you are stationed in the UK and are suspected of a military crime, then having the most hard-hitting criminal defense lawyer can be the difference between getting convicted or winning your case. Our military criminal defense lawyers represent Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen in both UCMJ and administrative matters to include defending service members accused of sexual assault, murder, rape, child rape, fraud, theft and other offenses under the UCMJ, often receiving full acquittals or an acquittal on all of the serious charges with a very light sentence on the remaining charges.
After trying complex commercial cases in federal court in New York City, Nathan Freeburg entered active duty with the U.S. Army where he deployed to Iraq and practiced as a prosecutor, as a Division Chief of Military Justice, as a military defense attorney and then was handpicked to train and advise Army defense lawyers worldwide for the U.S. Army Defense Counsel Assistance Program. During his time on active duty, Nathan tried or consulted on the most well-known cases in military, some with worldwide recognition and developed an expertise in cross-examining alleged sexual assault victims, law enforcement agents and senior military commanders. Having defended service members for allegations in and out of the U.S., this aggressive United Kingdom military defense lawyer has extensive experience handling different kinds of charges including sexual assault, murder, theft, rape, child pornography, Article 31, NJP, separation and discharge proceedings. If you are facing any kind of military legal problem, talk to Nathan Freeburg for experienced advice and the best aggressive military defense.
Contacting the Best American UK Military Defense Lawyer
Service members stationed in the United Kingdom deserve the best military lawyers to represent them at their court martial or administrative separation proceeding.
If you or a family member are stationed in the United Kingdom and are suspected of a military offense such as sex assault or if you are facing an administrative separation, Article 15, show cause board, letter of reprimand or GOMOR, then call our military defense lawyers immediately.
Locations in the United Kingdom Where a United States Military Member May Face a Court Martial
Since World War II and the occupation of the UK, U.S. service members have been prosecuted by court martial under the U.C.M.J. in the UK. Under the Status of Forces (SOFA) agreement with the United Kingdom, United States service members will generally be prosecuted by the UK if it involves an off-post civilian offense while the U.S. military will prosecute military-specific crimes. Allegations against American military in the United Kingdom often draw heavy scrutiny and are heavily politicized.
Military Installations Currently Under the UCMJ Where a Court Martial Defense Lawyer Could Be Needed
Airmen are investigated for court-martial under the UCMJ at various locations in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom’s status as an OCONUS location increases the number of investigations and potential trials by court-martial and making trials often especially unfair because of the media and higher command visibility, making an experienced civilian military defense lawyer the best option.
At a court martial in the United Kingdom, the deck is stacked against the accused Airmen. If you are tried in the UK your lawyers and paralegals will be outnumbered and the commanding general who sends the case against you to trial will personally pick the members of the jury. As if this isn’t enough, they won’t even have to reach an unanimous verdict to convict you (unlike civilian court). The prosecutors will have all the money for experts and investigators they want but your defense lawyer will have to give your case strategy in order to ask the prosecution to fund your own defense experts (and they can and usually do deny your experts anyway). The prosecutors will work hand in glove with OSI to convict you, and OSI will refuse to look at any evidence that may show your innocence. Sometimes the prosecutors will add on minor charges like being late to work (called a “Failure to Report” or FTR) just so the Air Force can say you were convicted, even if you are somehow acquitted on the serious accusations. The prosecutors in the United Kingdom are personally trained by the expert civilian and military prosecutors at the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School. In fact, on some cases the Air Force will even send these prosecutors to help prosecute you! Considering all of this, you will not receive a fair Air Force trial in the United Kingdom. Your best chance is a very aggressive, experienced military defense lawyer who does not care about his or her career, but only about winning your case.
How Military Trials Under the UCMJ Began at Alconbury
Royal Air Force Base Alconbury is a British military base located in Cambridgeshire, in the southeastern part of the United Kingdom. It is less than 100 km from London and only 8 km from Huntingdon. The major tenant on the base is actually the U.S. Air Force and the UCMJ applies to Airmen stationed there.
The base was constructed in 1938, when the British Air Ministry purchased 150 acres around Alconbury. In 1942, the base was handed over to the Americans, to the Eighth Air Force.
The Alconbury Courtroom
Airmen who are investigated and charged at Alconbury are likely to be tried by court martial under the UCMJ at a different location.
How Military Trials Under the UCMJ Began at Croughton
Royal Air Force Base Croughton is located in Northamptonshire, in the central part of the United Kingdom. The base was established in 1938 as Brackley Landing Ground. It covered almost 700 acres. IAfter World War II ended, the base was inactivated. It was turned into a storage site between 1947 and 1950. By the end of 1950, the base was turned over to the American forces, thus initiating UCMJ jurisdiction.
The Croughton Courtroom
Airmen who are investigated and charged at Croughton are likely to be tried by court martial under the UCMJ at a different location.
How Military Trials Under the UCMJ Began at Mildenhall
Royal Air Force Base Mildenhall is located in Suffolk, relatively close to communities in Mildenhall. It is among the most populated American bases located in the United Kingdom. It hosts over 16,000 employees – both military and civilian, three different units and 15 associate tenant units.
The history of this military base began in 1930. While the Royal Air Force was looking for a perfect site to open up a base, the officials found the wide fields around Mildenhall to be excellent. During World War II it was used for air combat missions by the Royal Air Force Bomber Command. These operations successfully went on until 1945.
RAF Mildenhall was reactivated only 5 years later, in 1950 under an agreement with the U.S. It was initially reopened for the B 29 Superfortress and UCMJ jurisdiction began as American Airmen arrived.
The Mildenhall Courtroom
RAF Mildenhall hosts the 501st Combat Support Wing, the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, the 727th Air Mobility Squadron, the 352nd Special Operations Group and the 488th Intelligence Squadron. There are also 15 tenant units at RAF Mildenhall, as well as the 3rd Air Force. Airmen from each of these units are tried on occasion by court martial under the UCMJ at Mildenhall.
How Military Trials Under the UCMJ Began at Lakenheath
Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath is a RAF military base that is run and operated by the U.S. Air Force. It is located in Suffolk, in the eastern part of the United Kingdom. The installation is a co-base run by the Americans under the British regulations and laws as well as under the UCMJ. Lakenheath was first used as a military base during World War I. The area was used as a bombing training field but entirely abandoned in 1918, when the war ended. Rebuilt for World War II, in 1950 the U.S. Air Force arrived at RAF Lakenheath making it a primary base throughout the Cold War. UCMJ jurisdiction began in 1950 with the first American Airmen.
The Lakenheath Courtroom
With 6,000 American Airmen plus family members, trials by court-martial under the UCMJ take place at Lakenheath on a regular basis.
How Military Trials Under the UCMJ Began at Menwith Hill
Royal Air Force Base Menwith Hill is a co-base run by the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It is located in the central part of the U.K., in North Yorkshire. An intelligence and communications base, its history dates back to 1954. The British War Office purchased a little under 550 acres and then leased the land to the U.S. The first service on site included a high frequency monitoring system, dealing with intercepting the signals throughout the Soviet Union.
The Menwith Hill Courtroom
Today, Airmen and other service members stationed at Menwith Hill are likely to be tried by court martial under the UCMJ at another location.