Miami–Doral Military Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Military Defense Attorneys for U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) & U.S. Army Garrison–Miami

The Miami–Doral region is one of the most strategically important military environments in the United States. Home to U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and U.S. Army Garrison–Miami (USAG–Miami), the area hosts thousands of high-ranking military personnel, Joint Staff, intelligence professionals, interagency liaisons, foreign military officers, and contractors supporting global missions across Latin America and the Caribbean. With top-level clearances, international operations, diplomatic sensitivities, and political visibility, even minor allegations involving SOUTHCOM or Garrison personnel can rapidly escalate into severe military and federal consequences.

At the same time, Miami–Doral is one of America’s busiest urban centers — filled with nightlife, international visitors, high alcohol consumption, diverse communities, and fast-moving law enforcement. This combination makes the Miami–Doral area extremely risky for military members, especially those holding TS/SCI, SAP, or other sensitive program access.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of the nation’s most experienced military defense firms. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and trial lawyer Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, we defend service members assigned to SOUTHCOM or U.S. Army Garrison–Miami who are facing UCMJ charges, federal investigations, NJP, administrative separations, BOIs, security clearance actions, international misconduct allegations, or civilian criminal charges stemming from incidents in Miami or Doral.

Why the Miami–Doral Area Is High-Risk for Military Personnel

SOUTHCOM personnel operate in a uniquely high-stakes environment. When misconduct allegations arise — even if false or exaggerated — the consequences can be far more severe than in a typical military installation.

Major risk factors for service members working at SOUTHCOM and USAG–Miami include:

• Clearance-heavy workforce — most personnel hold TS/SCI, which can be suspended instantly
• Diplomatic sensitivity — allegations may involve or affect foreign military partners
• High visibility — misconduct at SOUTHCOM can become a strategic liability
• International political considerations in misconduct investigations
• Miami’s nightlife which produces many alcohol-related misunderstandings
• Tourist and international population increasing the risk of false allegations
• Aggressive law enforcement in Doral, Miami-Dade, and surrounding regions
• Domestic disputes commonly escalated by civilian police
• Language & cultural miscommunication in a multilingual environment

In Miami–Doral, even minor incidents may lead to:

• Immediate suspension of sensitive access
• Joint IG investigations
• Military + federal inquiries
• Career-ending administrative actions

This is why SOUTHCOM and Garrison personnel must treat all allegations with extreme seriousness.

Who We Represent in the Miami–Doral Military Community

We defend all personnel assigned to SOUTHCOM and Garrison Miami, including:

• Army personnel assigned to USAG–Miami
• SOUTHCOM Joint Staff from all service branches
• Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps & Coast Guard personnel working at SOUTHCOM
• Foreign liaison officers (FLOs) from partner nations
• Special Operations personnel assigned to TSOC or supporting SOF missions
• DoD civilians and contractors with clearances
• Service members commuting from Miami Lakes, Kendall, or Miramar
• Personnel TDY to SOUTHCOM or attending conferences/training

All receive high-level, aggressive defense for both military and civilian legal issues.

UCMJ Criminal Defense for SOUTHCOM & USAG–Miami Personnel

We defend military members in ALL criminal matters under the UCMJ arising in Miami–Doral or conducted remotely by SOUTHCOM commands.

Most common UCMJ allegations in the SOUTHCOM/Garrison area:

• Article 120 — Sexual assault & intoxication-related misconduct
• Article 128b — Domestic violence or partner conflict
• Article 112a — Drug use/possession (cocaine, MDMA, THC vapes, edibles)
• Article 92 — Orders violations, fraternization, misconduct
• Article 107 — False statements to law enforcement or command
• Article 133/134 — Conduct unbecoming, indecent conduct, adultery
• Article 86 — AWOL/FTR (especially for personnel with long commutes)

Where allegations usually originate:

• Doral CityPlace nightlife
• Brickell bars & upscale lounges
• Wynwood clubs, breweries & events
• Miami Beach & South Beach
• Downtown Miami hotel bars
• Kendall/Doral apartment complexes involving domestic disputes
• Uber/Lyft conflicts escalating into civilian police involvement

We defend service members in all forums:

• General Court-Martial
• Special Court-Martial
• Summary Court-Martial
• Article 32 Hearings

Cases involving SOUTHCOM personnel often include sensitive evidence, classified duties, foreign liaison considerations, or political implications — all of which require a highly experienced defense team.

Administrative Separations, BOIs & NJP Defense for SOUTHCOM Personnel

Commands in Miami–Doral frequently use administrative processes to remove personnel quickly due to the sensitivity of SOUTHCOM missions.

We defend service members facing:

• NJP / Article 15 / Captain’s Mast
• Administrative separation boards
• Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
• Security clearance suspensions
• Relief-for-cause attempts
• Adverse evaluation rebuttals
• Show-cause notifications

Most common causes of separation in the Doral area:

• Civilian arrests for disorderly conduct or domestic issues
• Alleged misconduct involving civilians or tourists
• Alcohol incidents in nightlife districts
• Relationship conflicts escalating into police calls
• Clearance concerns for reliability or judgment
• Foreign liaison accusations requiring rapid command action

We aggressively challenge flawed investigations, incomplete evidence, and improper command assumptions.

High-Risk Areas for Military Misconduct Allegations in Miami–Doral

1. Doral CityPlace & Dolphin Mall

• High tourist volume
• Bar/restaurant nightlife
• Frequent misunderstandings
• Civilian reports to Miami-Dade Police

2. Brickell & Downtown Miami

• Upscale nightlife prone to accusations
• Hotel bar interactions escalating rapidly

3. Wynwood Art District

• Major alcohol & festival environment
• High rate of false allegations from intoxicated civilians

4. Miami Beach / South Beach

• Tourist-drunk interactions
• Fights, consent disputes, disorderly conduct

5. Kendall, Doral & Sweetwater Apartments

• Domestic conflicts turning into criminal cases
• Neighbor statements misinterpreted as evidence

Why SOUTHCOM Personnel Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

SOUTHCOM service members require elite representation because their careers, clearances, and missions are uniquely sensitive. You cannot rely on inexperienced or overwhelmed counsel.

• Former JAG Michael Waddington — elite UCMJ trial lawyer with global experience
• Attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington — known for surgical cross-examination
• Decades of combined courtroom experience
• Authors of leading books on military trial strategy
• Deep knowledge of high-clearance cases & administrative law
• We take fewer clients to deliver premier-level defense

Pro Tips for SOUTHCOM & USAG–Miami Personnel Under Investigation

• NEVER speak to police, OSI, CID, CGIS, or your chain of command without a lawyer.
• Preserve all digital evidence immediately — texts, photos, videos, logs.
• Do not contact the accuser in any way.
• Avoid all nightlife (Brickell, Wynwood, Doral, Miami Beach).
• Do not consent to searches of your phone, car, or residence.
• Document your timeline with details while fresh.
• Get a civilian military attorney early — early defense = successful defense.

Your Military Career at SOUTHCOM Depends on Immediate Action

If you are facing UCMJ charges, NJP, administrative separation, BOI, clearance suspension, or any civilian criminal case in Miami–Doral, you must act immediately. SOUTHCOM-related cases move fast and carry extreme consequences.

➤ Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington

Authoritative Resource: United States Southern Command

Miami–Doral Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions