Navy Military Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Court-Martial Attorneys Defending Sailors Worldwide

The United States Navy is a global force operating across every ocean and continent. With thousands of Sailors serving aboard aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers, submarines, amphibious ships, littoral combat ships, aviation squadrons, SEAL Teams, reserve units, training bases, overseas installations, and expeditionary commands, the Navy justice system is one of the most active and aggressive in the U.S. military.

Each year, thousands of Sailors face UCMJ investigations, court-martial charges, Captain’s Masts, administrative separations, BOIs (Boards of Inquiry), PRP/flight status removal, adverse evals, and NCIS-driven criminal allegations. Many of these cases involve false accusations, misunderstandings, toxic command climates, biased NCIS investigations, or pressure on leadership to “make examples” out of Sailors in politically sensitive cases.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of the world’s premier military defense firms. Led by former JAG attorney Michael Waddington and trial strategist Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our team defends Sailors around the globe in the most serious UCMJ cases — including sexual assault, domestic violence, fraternization, drug allegations, violent offenses, hazing, financial misconduct, EO violations, and high-profile investigations involving NCIS, IG, or command-directed inquiries.

Whether you’re stationed on a ship, in an aviation squadron, at a training command, or forward deployed overseas, the Navy justice system can destroy your career quickly. You need an elite civilian defense team in your corner.

Why Sailors Are at High Risk in Today’s Navy

The Navy’s culture, operational tempo, and political climate create a unique risk for criminal and administrative actions. Some of the reasons Sailors face higher-than-average misconduct allegations include:

• Shipboard living conditions that create conflict, rumors, and accusations
• High alcohol environments around fleet concentration areas (San Diego, Norfolk, Yokosuka, Bahrain)
• NCIS investigations that often begin with “assume guilt” biases
• Aviation command pressure to remove “liabilities” from flight status
• Stressful deployment cycles affecting relationships and mental health
• Rank imbalances interpreted as fraternization or improper relationships
• The Navy’s focus on “zero tolerance” for sexual assault, domestic violence, and hazing
• Young and inexperienced Sailors living in barracks or onboard ships

One accusation — even if false or unproven — can lead to immediate restriction, suspension of access, removal from operations, and career-ending actions.

Where We Defend Sailors Around the World

We represent Sailors stationed at every major Navy installation, including:

• NAS Jacksonville
• Naval Station Norfolk
• San Diego – 32nd Street, North Island, Point Loma
• Yokosuka & Sasebo, Japan
• Rota, Spain
• Hawaii – Pearl Harbor
• Guam
• Bahrain
• Great Lakes Training Command
• Whidbey Island, Lemoore, Fallon
• Mayport, Pensacola, Key West
• Joint commands & expeditionary units worldwide

Wherever the Navy operates, we defend Sailors.

Branches of the Service Where Our Florida Attorneys Defend Servicemembers:

• Florida UCMJ Attorneys
• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
• Space Force
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corps

UCMJ Criminal Defense for Sailors

We defend Sailors charged with all UCMJ offenses, including:

Common Navy UCMJ Charges We Fight

• Article 120 — Sexual assault, rape, groping, indecent conduct
• Article 128b — Domestic violence (especially common in high-tempo commands)
• Article 112a — Drug use/possession/distribution (THC vapes, cocaine, MDMA, pills)
• Article 92 — Failure to obey orders, fraternization, hazing
• Article 121 — Larceny, fraud, financial crimes
• Article 107 — False official statements to NCIS or command
• Article 134 — Disorderly conduct, adultery, online misconduct
• Articles 86/87 — UA, missing movement

Where Navy Criminal Allegations Usually Begin

• Liberty ports overseas where alcohol and cultural misunderstandings occur
• Shipboard berthing — rumors, accusations, or conflicts
• Aviation squadron gatherings
• Barracks at training commands
• Hotel incidents during detachments or TDY training
• Nightlife districts in San Diego, Jacksonville, Norfolk, and OCONUS ports

Where We Defend Sailors in Court

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

We specialize in exposing weak NCIS evidence, contradictory statements, and biased investigations designed to satisfy command pressure rather than uncover the truth.

Navy Administrative Actions — Career Killers We Fight

The Navy uses administrative tools more aggressively than any other service. These actions end careers quietly — often without proof.

We aggressively defend Sailors facing:

• Captain’s Mast (NJP)
• Administrative Separation Boards (ADSEP)
• Officer Boards of Inquiry (BOIs)
• Security clearance suspension
• Flight status grounding
• Loss of NEC / rating
• PRP/SAP decertification
• Adverse evaluations & detachment for cause

Most common reasons commands separate Sailors:

• Liberty incidents during port calls
• Alcohol-related misconduct
• Domestic disputes in off-base housing
• False accusations among shipmates
• Misconduct during detachments, RIMPAC, or multi-national exercises
• Fraternization within small-unit environments
• OER/FITREP issues created by command politics

Commands prefer to remove a Sailor administratively rather than deal with full court-martial litigation. We prevent that from happening.

Navy Communities Most Vulnerable to False Allegations

1. Afloat Commands

• Close quarters magnify rumors & interpersonal conflict
• Alcohol-related liberty incidents escalate quickly
• Ships use quick command judgment to avoid visibility

2. Aviation Squadrons

• Pilot/aircrew fraternization accusations
• Alcohol-heavy events & squadron social culture
• Loss of flight status for even minor misconduct

3. Training Commands

• Young Sailors targeted by false accusations
• Barracks conflicts escalate to NJP or separation
• CIDs triggered by rumors or petty disputes

4. Overseas Liberty Ports

• Cultural misunderstandings
• Tourist-driven allegations
• Local police involvement leading to NCIS referral

Why Sailors Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Our firm has represented Navy personnel in some of the world’s most complex and high-profile military cases, including OCONUS investigations and fleet-wide criminal matters.

• Former JAG Michael Waddington — globally recognized court-martial defense lawyer
• Attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington — elite cross-examiner
• Decades of courtroom victories around the world
• Books and trial guides used to train Navy lawyers and JAG officers
• Experience defending Sailors in every fleet concentration area
• Known for taking — and winning — the Navy’s toughest cases

Pro Tips for Sailors Under Investigation

• NEVER speak to NCIS without civilian counsel.
• Do NOT consent to searches of your phone, barracks, vehicle, or berthing.
• Save all digital evidence — texts, photos, video, DM screenshots.
• Avoid discussing your case with anyone but your lawyer.
• Stay off social media — everything can and will be used against you.
• Write down a timeline while events are fresh in your mind.
• Hire a civilian lawyer early — early intervention changes outcomes.

Your Navy Career and Freedom Are on the Line — Act Now

If you’re facing UCMJ charges, NJP, administrative separation, BOI, flight grounding, NCIS investigation, or civilian arrest, you must act immediately. Navy commands move quickly — often before facts are known.

➤ Schedule Your Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington

Authoritative Navy Resource: United States Navy Official Website

Navy Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions