Orlando Military Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Military Defense Attorneys Serving Orlando, Central Florida & All Regional Military Personnel

Orlando, Florida is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and a major hub for active-duty military, reservists, National Guard members, DoD civilians, intelligence professionals, and federal personnel. Although Orlando does not have a large, permanent active-duty installation like NAS Jacksonville or MacDill AFB, it plays a critical military role through its proximity to Patrick Space Force Base, multiple Coast Guard units, Defense Support Services (DSS), intelligence contractors, simulation & training commands, and special operations training elements.

Meanwhile, Orlando is also home to one of the most active nightlife, tourism, and entertainment scenes in the United States — from Universal Studios and Disney to the bar and club corridors on International Drive, Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and Lake Nona. This unique combination makes Orlando one of the most legally dangerous cities in Florida for military personnel. Allegations here escalate fast, often based on misunderstandings, intoxicated interactions, or emotional responses.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is the go-to military defense law firm for service members living, training, or visiting the Orlando region. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and trial attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our firm defends service members worldwide in high-stakes UCMJ cases, administrative separations, NJP/Article 15 hearings, BOIs, and CGIS/OSI/NCIS investigations.

Why Orlando Is a High-Risk City for Military Legal Trouble

Orlando’s environment is uniquely dangerous for service members because it blends:

• Massive population of tourists and international visitors
• High alcohol consumption in theme park districts
• Frequent police involvement in nightlife areas
• Heavy civilian–military interaction
• Fast-moving accusations exaggerated by intoxication
• Large transient population unfamiliar with military norms
• High competition for housing and roommate conflicts

When service members become entangled in allegations in Orlando, the results can be catastrophic — civilian arrests, UCMJ charges, loss of clearance, or administrative separation.

Who We Represent in the Orlando Area

We defend all branches of the U.S. military living in or near Orlando, including:

• Air Force & Space Force personnel working at Patrick SFB or in the Space Coast region
• Coast Guard members stationed in Central Florida and Port Canaveral
• Army National Guard & Army Reserve units across Orange County
• Marine & Navy Reservists drilling in Orlando or commuting from Tampa/Jacksonville
• Joint commands working with DHS, CBP, ICE, and regional DoD initiatives
• DoD civilians & defense contractors with clearances at simulation & training centers
• Service members on leave, TDY, or temporary assignment in Orlando’s tourism district

If you live or were arrested in Orlando while assigned elsewhere — NAS Jacksonville, MacDill AFB, Patrick SFB, Key West, Hurlburt, Eglin — your case will follow you back to your parent command.

UCMJ Criminal Defense for Orlando-Area Service Members

Our firm aggressively defends service members throughout Orlando who face criminal allegations under the UCMJ and its civilian equivalents. The most common cases originate from nightlife districts, hotel parties, theme parks, rideshare encounters, or domestic misunderstandings.

Most Common Military Charges in Orlando

• Article 120 — Sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, intoxication & consent issues
• Article 128b — Domestic violence and partner disputes
• Article 112a — Drug allegations: THC vapes, edibles, pills, cocaine, MDMA
• Article 92 — Failure to obey orders, misconduct, fraternization
• Article 107 — False official statements
• Article 133/134 — Conduct unbecoming, adultery, indecent exposure, disorderly behavior
• Article 86 — AWOL/failure to report

Where these accusations usually arise:

• International Drive (I-Drive) bars, clubs & hotels
• Downtown Orlando nightlife (Church Street, Orange Ave)
• Universal CityWalk
• Disney Springs
• Theme park resorts with heavy alcohol use
• Lake Nona — new luxury apartment areas with domestic conflict calls
• Winter Park bars and late-night events

We defend service members in:

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

We expose weak evidence, unreliable witnesses, and investigations affected by intoxication, miscommunication, or police bias common in Orlando nightlife venues.

Administrative Separations, NJP & Boards of Inquiry in Orlando

Because many Orlando service members commute to bases such as Patrick SFB, MacDill AFB, or NAS Jacksonville, administrative actions frequently originate from civilian police encounters or domestic disputes within the Orlando metro area.

We defend against all administrative actions:

• NJP / Captain’s Mast / Article 15
• Enlisted administrative separation boards
• Officer Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
• Security clearance suspension
• Negative performance reviews
• Threatened decertification for aviation, intel, or special programs
• Show cause notifications

Common triggers for separation include:

• Domestic disputes in Orlando apartment complexes
• Hotel incidents involving tourists
• Civilian arrests or police reports
• Consent misunderstandings from nightlife events
• Rideshare/Taxi misunderstandings exaggerated into accusations
• Noise disputes with neighbors escalating to police response

Orlando’s civilian legal system moves quickly and often cooperates with military commands. You cannot assume your command will “wait for the truth.”

High-Risk Areas for Service Members in Orlando

1. International Drive (I-Drive)

• High alcohol consumption
• Tourist crowds
• Conflicts later misreported to police
• Taxi/Uber driver statements misinterpreted

2. Downtown Orlando

• Nightclub and bar disputes
• Disorderly conduct allegations
• Fights or “battery” claims

3. Universal Studios & CityWalk

• Tourist interactions that escalate
• Alcohol-driven misunderstandings

4. Disney Springs & Theme Park Resorts

• Family disputes
• Accusations from intoxicated tourists

5. Lake Nona & Medical City

• Domestic 911 calls
• Neighborhood disputes

Why Orlando Service Members Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Service members in Orlando require aggressive, elite military defense because the stakes are so high — your career, your clearance, and your freedom depend on it.

• Former JAG Michael Waddington — renowned trial lawyer with global experience
• Attorney Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington — expert in cross-examination and administrative defense
• Decades of worldwide courtroom experience
• Authors of leading books on cross-examination & trial warfare
• We take fewer clients to ensure maximum preparation
• Known for winning cases other lawyers thought unwinnable

Pro Tips for Orlando Service Members Under Investigation

• NEVER speak to police, OSI, NCIS, CGIS, or your command without a civilian lawyer.
• Preserve every screenshot, message, video, and call log.
• Stay off social media until your case is resolved.
• Do not contact the accuser or potential witnesses.
• Avoid nightlife areas while under investigation.
• Document your timeline in detail immediately.
• Hire a civilian attorney early — waiting is fatal to your case.

Your Military Career in Orlando Is Too Important to Risk

If you’re facing UCMJ charges, NJP, administrative separation, BOI, or a civilian arrest in Orlando, you must act immediately. Your command and law enforcement are already working against you. You need elite military defense attorneys now — not later.

➤ Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Gonzalez & Waddington

Authoritative Military Resource: United States Army

Orlando Military Defense Lawyers – Frequently Asked Questions