Belgium Military Defense Lawyers – Court Martial Attorneys

Elite UCMJ & Court-Martial Defense for U.S. Service Members in Belgium

Belgium is home to some of the most important NATO and U.S. military commands in Europe, including SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Mons, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Chievres Air Base, and U.S. Army Garrison Benelux. Service members stationed in Belgium operate in a multinational, politically sensitive environment where even minor allegations can become international issues.

If you are facing a UCMJ investigation, administrative separation, or court-martial in Belgium, your case will likely involve NATO command structures, Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) rules, and close coordination with Belgian authorities. Allegations that might be handled quietly at a stateside base often escalate quickly in Belgium because of diplomatic, political, and media sensitivities. You need experienced military defense lawyers who know how to navigate this environment and protect your career and freedom.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law has defended U.S. service members across Europe and Benelux for more than 20 years. We understand how UCMJ, NATO, and host-nation systems interact in Belgium and how to aggressively fight back when the deck is stacked against the accused.

Why UCMJ Allegations in Belgium Are Especially Serious

In Belgium, U.S. personnel serve under the constant scrutiny of allied militaries, diplomats, and the local population. When an accusation arises, the priority for many commands is to preserve relationships and avoid controversy, not to ensure fairness for the accused service member.

• Belgian police may investigate incidents involving U.S. personnel off base
• NATO and U.S. commanders are under pressure to show “accountability” quickly
• U.S. investigators often assume guilt to avoid criticism from allies
• Liberty restrictions, removal from billets, and no-contact orders are imposed early
• Security clearances are frequently suspended at the first sign of allegations
• Rumors spread quickly in the small SHAPE and NATO communities, poisoning the environment

In this climate, hoping the system will be fair is a mistake. You need military defense lawyers who know how to counter bias, political pressure, and multinational investigative efforts.

Common UCMJ Charges in the Belgium Military Community

Our firm represents Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and civilians stationed at SHAPE, NATO HQ Brussels, Chievres, and other Benelux sites. Many cases arise from off-duty liberty, international travel, workplace interactions, and cultural misunderstandings with Belgian civilians and other NATO personnel.

• Article 120 – Sexual assault, rape, and aggravated sexual contact allegations
• Article 128b – Domestic violence, partner disputes, and alleged physical abuse
• Article 112a – Drug use or possession, often tied to nightlife in Brussels or Mons
• Article 92 – Orders violations, fraternization, improper relationships in joint environments
• Article 107 – False official statements to CID, OSI, NCIS, or command
• Article 121 – Larceny, fraud, BAH/OHA or COLA entitlement investigations
• Article 134 – Adultery, indecent conduct, online misconduct, and service-discrediting behavior
• Host-Nation Incidents – Accusations from Belgian civilians, bar disputes, traffic events

Administrative Actions in Belgium

Many careers are not lost through courts-martial but through fast-moving administrative processes. In Belgium, these processes often move even faster because commands want to remove risk before it becomes a political problem.

• Administrative Separation Boards – Used aggressively for alleged misconduct or “loss of confidence”
• Boards of Inquiry (BOI) – Especially common for officers serving at SHAPE or NATO HQ
• GOMORs and Letters of Reprimand – Issued quickly to document allegations and support elimination
• Security Clearance Suspensions – Career-destroying in intelligence, cyber, aviation, and command roles
• Command-Directed Investigations – AR 15-6, JAGMAN, IG, EO, and NATO-related inquiries

Defense Strategies We Use for Cases in Belgium

Defending UCMJ cases in Belgium requires a deep understanding of NATO structures, SOFA rules, host-nation involvement, and multinational unit culture. Our strategies are tailored to dismantle biased investigations and expose the weaknesses in the government’s case.

• Identify and exploit contradictions in accuser and witness statements
• Attack flawed assumptions made by CID, OSI, NCIS, or local investigators
• Use digital forensics to recover deleted messages, social media posts, and location data
• Highlight cultural and language-based misunderstandings with Belgian civilians and NATO partners
• Expose improper command influence and pressure from higher headquarters or allies
• Retain expert witnesses in psychology, digital forensics, and forensic science when needed
• Build persuasive, story-driven defenses aimed at military panels and decision-makers

Why Service Members in Belgium Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Our firm is widely recognized as a leading military defense team for U.S. personnel serving in Europe and NATO assignments. Service members at SHAPE, NATO HQ Brussels, Chievres, and other Benelux locations turn to us because they need an experienced, battle-tested civilian defense team that understands multinational operations.

• More than two decades of UCMJ trial experience around the globe
• Former Army JAG with extensive overseas and joint-command litigation experience
• Known for aggressive cross-examination that exposes lies and exaggerations
• Authors of leading books on trial warfare and cross-examination techniques
• Proven track record in Europe, the Benelux region, and other NATO countries
• Respected by clients for relentless preparation and uncompromising advocacy

Contact Our Belgium Military Defense Team

If you are stationed in Belgium and facing a court-martial, UCMJ investigation, administrative separation, or host-nation involvement, do not wait. Investigators and commanders are already moving forward. You need elite civilian military defense lawyers protecting your rights from day one.

➤ Contact Gonzalez & Waddington for a Confidential Consultation

Belgium Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions