Canada Military Defense Lawyers – Court Martial Attorneys

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

Canada hosts multiple U.S. military personnel through NORAD, NATO cooperative missions, defense attaché assignments, joint training exercises, and Air Force, Army, Navy, and Space Force liaison positions. Whether based at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) locations, assigned to NORAD HQ, participating in Arctic and cold-weather training, or working in joint intelligence environments, U.S. service members in Canada operate under a unique legal combination of U.S. military law and Canadian host-nation authorities.

If you are under investigation or face a court-martial while stationed in Canada, your case is more complex than a typical stateside matter. Allegations can involve coordination with Canadian law enforcement, embassy oversight, and diplomatic channels. Commands often move quickly to avoid international friction, meaning service members must act fast to protect their rights and career.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law has extensive experience defending U.S. personnel assigned to foreign nations, including Canada. For more than 20 years, we have protected service members serving abroad from wrongful accusations, flawed investigations, and politically motivated command decisions.

Why UCMJ Allegations in Canada Are Serious

Canada–U.S. defense cooperation is among the closest in the world. With NORAD, NATO, and intelligence-sharing relationships at the center of this partnership, any allegation involving a U.S. service member receives heightened attention.

• Canadian civilian police may investigate off-base incidents
• Commands act quickly to “preserve bilateral trust”
• OSI, NCIS, CID, or AFOSI may assume guilt early because of diplomatic sensitivities
• Security clearances are frequently suspended at the first sign of allegations
• Administrative actions move faster due to political oversight
• The small size of joint/NORAD communities leads to fast-spreading rumors

Without experienced civilian legal defense, service members risk one-sided processes that favor diplomatic convenience over fairness.

Common UCMJ Charges Faced by U.S. Service Members in Canada

Most cases in Canada arise from off-duty liberty incidents, relationship disputes, alcohol-related events, or misunderstandings between U.S. personnel and Canadian civilians. Intelligence and NORAD postings also bring heightened scrutiny.

• Article 120 – Sexual assault and rape allegations
• Article 128b – Domestic violence and partner disputes
• Article 112a – Drug use or possession (Canada’s cannabis laws complicate UCMJ enforcement)
• Article 92 – Orders violations, fraternization, misconduct in joint environments
• Article 121 – Larceny, BAH/OHA claims, and entitlements investigations
• Article 107 – False official statements during combined U.S.–Canadian investigations
• Article 134 – Adultery, online misconduct, indecent exposure, conduct unbecoming
• Host-Nation Cases – Traffic incidents, bar disputes, accusations by Canadian citizens

Administrative Actions in Canada

Commands in Canada frequently use administrative actions to resolve politically sensitive cases quickly, even when the evidence is weak or incomplete.

• Administrative Separation Boards – Fast-moving and often biased toward the command
• Officer BOIs – Common for intelligence, NORAD, and attaché officers
• GOMORs & Reprimands – Used to “document concerns” without full due process
• Security Clearance Suspensions – Devastating in joint intel and aerospace defense roles
• Command-Directed Investigations – AR 15-6, IG, EO, SHARP inquiries

Defense Strategies We Use in Canada

Our strategies for Canada-based cases focus on protecting our clients from both U.S. and host-nation overreach, challenging faulty assumptions, and exposing investigative weaknesses.

• Reveal contradictions in accuser and witness statements
• Challenge flawed NCIS/OSI/CID investigative assumptions
• Use digital forensics to restore deleted messages, timelines, and metadata
• Highlight cultural misunderstandings between U.S. personnel and Canadian civilians
• Counter improper command influence from joint/NORAD leadership
• Utilize forensic and psychological experts to undermine weak allegations
• Build narrative-based defenses that resonate with military decision-makers

Why Service Members in Canada Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Our firm is trusted by service members worldwide because of our proven ability to dismantle weak cases, challenge flawed investigations, and win under the toughest circumstances.

• 20+ years of global UCMJ defense success
• Former Army JAG with extensive experience in international assignments
• Known for aggressive and precise cross-examination
• Authors of major books on trial warfare and cross-examination strategy
• Respected internationally for defending service members in NATO and bilateral missions

Contact Our Canada Military Defense Team

If you are stationed in Canada and face a UCMJ investigation, court-martial, or administrative action, do not wait. Commands and investigators are already gathering evidence. You need elite civilian defense lawyers to protect your rights and your career.

➤ Contact Gonzalez & Waddington for a Confidential Consultation

Canada Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions