Why Court-Martial Defense Matters

Facing a court-martial can be the most terrifying and career-threatening moment in a service member’s life. A conviction can mean years in prison, a dishonorable discharge, loss of retirement benefits, sex offender registration, and a ruined reputation. That’s why the military defense team you choose is critical.

Gonzalez & Waddington, LLC is a battle-tested military defense law firm with a global reputation for winning serious and complex cases. We represent military personnel worldwide in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force court-martial cases. Our firm has defended hundreds of cases, including some of the most notorious war crimes, sexual assault, and felony-level trials in modern military history.

Our Mission: To Win When It Matters Most

Our mission is simple: to fight for your freedom, career, and reputation. We know how the military justice system works—and we know how to beat it. Our founders, Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, are nationally recognized for their trial skills, publications, and aggressive advocacy. They’ve trained military lawyers across the U.S. and overseas and appear in media for their high-profile wins.

We operate under pressure, thrive in the courtroom, and never back down from a fight.

Types of Courts-Martial Explained

• Summary Court-Martial: Limited to minor offenses and punishments. No military judge. Quick, but often unfair if unchallenged. We advise rejecting SCMs when appropriate.
• Special Court-Martial: Often for mid-level offenses. Includes a military judge and panel. Punishments include up to 1 year of confinement and a bad conduct discharge.
• General Court-Martial: The most serious. Reserved for felony-level crimes including sexual assault, rape, attempted murder, child pornography, and homicide. We specialize in defending these cases.

Common Charges We Defend

• Article 120 – Rape and Sexual Assault
• Article 120b – Sexual Crimes Against Minors
• Article 112a – Drug Use and Distribution
• Article 121 – Larceny and Theft
• Article 118 – Murder and Manslaughter
• Article 128 – Aggravated Assault & Strangulation
• Article 133 – Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
• Article 134 – Child Pornography and Computer Crimes

Inside the Court-Martial Process

The court-martial process begins long before trial. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Investigation: Typically conducted by CID, OSI, NCIS, or CGIS. We advise clients from day one—before interviews, interrogations, or searches.
2. Preferral of Charges: The command formally charges the accused. This is the time to challenge the case early and force legal errors.
3. Article 32 Preliminary Hearing: A vital stage where we cross-examine witnesses, expose weaknesses, and lay the foundation for dismissal or trial victory.
4. Referral to Court-Martial: If the command moves forward, we prepare an ironclad defense strategy for trial before a judge or panel.
5. The Court-Martial Trial: This is our battlefield. We dismantle the government’s case with expert cross-examination, digital forensics, medical experts, and psychological tactics.
6. Sentencing: If convicted, we mitigate damage by presenting powerful sentencing evidence and arguing for leniency and post-trial relief.

What Makes Our Firm Different

• Unmatched Trial Experience: Our lawyers have tried over 200 court-martial cases, including war crimes, sexual assault, and murder.
• Elite Legal Publications: We wrote the book on trial advocacy and military cross-examination—literally.
• Nationwide and Overseas Defense: From Fort Liberty to Germany, Japan, and Korea, we go where our clients need us.
• Real Results: Hundreds of full acquittals, dismissed charges, and plea reductions across all branches.

What You Risk Without the Right Lawyer

A conviction at a general court-martial can destroy your career and your life. You may face:

• Years or decades in prison
• Dishonorable discharge or dismissal
• Loss of military pension and benefits
• Sex offender registration
• Barriers to employment, education, and housing

Don’t trust your future to a JAG assigned by the military. You need a seasoned, independent advocate who fights for you—not the system.

Real Client Testimonials

“Michael Waddington saved my military career. I was facing 30 years. He dismantled the case against me. Not guilty on all counts.” – Navy Senior Chief

“Alexandra is fierce and deeply compassionate with her clients. She fought for my son like it was her own child.” – Army Parent

Our Commitment to Military Families

Court-martial trials don’t just affect the accused. They devastate families, relationships, and careers. We understand that. Our firm supports military spouses, parents, and dependents by keeping them informed, involved, and empowered throughout the process.

We offer private consultations, honest case assessments, and strategies tailored to protect both the accused and their loved ones.

Military Bases We Serve

We’ve defended clients at every major military base in the world, including:

• Fort Liberty, Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss
• Ramstein AFB, Spangdahlem, Landstuhl, Germany
• Yokota Air Base, Kadena AB, Camp Zama, Japan
• Camp Humphreys, Osan AB, South Korea
• Fort Sam Houston, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, NAS Oceana

Wherever the fight takes you, we’re ready to stand by your side and win.

Request a Confidential Case Review

Time is critical in military cases. Whether you are under investigation or already facing charges, contact us immediately. Let us evaluate your case, discuss your options, and fight for your future.

Call Now: 1-800-921-8607
Visit: https://ucmjdefense.com

Gonzalez & Waddington. Your shield in the courtroom. Your voice against injustice. Your fight is our mission.