Serving in the United States Army? Facing a court-martial, UCMJ action, Administrative Separation Board, or other Adverse Administrative Action? Call our experienced Army military defense lawyers at 1-800-921-8607 for a free consultation.
Our military defense lawyers are among the most experienced and hard-hitting in the world. With an unparalleled track record, we provide aggressive, strategic defense tailored to each client’s unique situation. Trust us to fight relentlessly for your rights and deliver the best possible outcome.” (Michael Waddington, Military Defense Lawyer)
“Let me start by saying that I was falsely accused of sexual assault by this crazy lady. My old CSM gave me the best advice at the moment; he told me to seek a civilian attorney and not talk to CID. The whole process was completed in 17 months. Charges were preferred at around 12 months. I immediately called Mr. and Mrs. Waddington. Once they decided to take on my case, I was happy because I believed I had a fighting chance against the US government. I saved all my messages between me and this crazy lazy and sent Mr. and Mrs. Waddington everything to show her erratic behavior. I hired one attorney, but I gained two exceptional attorneys. The Army issued me a TDS attorney a week before my Article 32 hearing which we waived. TDS attorney PCS two months before the trial date, I was assigned another TDS lawyer, and she was terrific. Now my legal was set, and I know it will be a battle. The Government dropped evidence on our lap 30 days out. Mr. Waddington called me. I explain my side of the story. The whole time Mr. and Mrs. Waddington treated me with dignity and respect and believed in my truth, always finding a way to make me feel at ease. Once again, my case went on for 17 months; it was a long, painful journey. You need someone like Mr. and Mrs. Waddington to represent you in this biased military justice system (UCMJ). The Government had every intention of trying to convict me of something I did not do, especially in this War against sexual assault. Mr. and Mrs. Waddington flew to Germany a week before the Trial, and we prepared to fight. The night before the Trial, this liar changes her story in version five. From the open statement, witness cross-examination to the closing statement, Mr. Waddington is FANTASTIC. The Army had their most senior and best on the case; however, Mr. Waddington was outclassed and outmatched; it was not even close. Mr. Waddington caught this lady on every lie while on the stand. He asked the right questions and argued only relevant things. The Government did not present a CID agent, Amberg police, DNA evidence, or any experts; let’s not forget a video that was missing the first five minutes. The prosecutor says members of the Jury, all these things are irrelevant. We don’t want to waste your guy’s time presenting this nonsense. The truth came out in the courtroom, and after four hours of waiting on deliberation, NOT GUILTY!!!!!!!! I stood in the position of attention and cried so hard for 17 months, and it was over on the day of my 17th year in the Army; Mr. and Mrs. Waddington gave me a second chance at life. To end this, the military could care less if you get accused of anything. Their goal is to get a conviction. Don’t hesitate to call The Waddington’s. It will be money well spent; I promise you will make that money.” (US Army E-8).
“An accusation of sexual assault or Assault and Battery is a major life-changing event for any military service member. As a Senior NCO with over 20 years, you will be ignored, looked at like you are guilty before you even have a trial. DoD-provided Trial defense lawyers; you’ll be told to “just wait” or “stand by” until things get to the worst possible point and then offered a Chapter 10 to speed up the process of getting you out losing everything you worked for. If you’re a fighter for what you earned in your career and family life. I highly recommend you hire a dedicated professional like Michael Waddington and his team. My investigation started in November 2019 and then charged in September 2020 causing extreme life stressors. The process of locating a civilian lawyer is also not intuitive, as many of the websites are misleading or confusing. Again, consider what your life is worth to you. Consider the lifelong repercussions of a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge, and realize that you will not be able to fight the vast resources of the U.S. Government alone. The Waddington team actually answers their phones. They text back in a timely manner. They will review all the evidence, even as it continues to change and grow over time, and they will construct the best possible case to save your life. Expenses may seem like a lot of money, but I know to this day that it’s some of the best money I have ever spent. Do yourself a favor; before talking to anyone, hire Michael Waddington.” (US Army E-7).
“I had an excellent experience working with Alexandra. When my bitter ex-wife falsely accused me of abusing her and my children, my life almost came to an end. Immediately, the military turned on me and blocked me from seeing my kids. It took me almost two years to get justice. I could not have done it without Alexandra. From the start, she was incredibly attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. She took the time to explain everything to me until I understood fully. I deeply appreciated how honest she was about the laws, the facts of the case, and the many potential outcomes. She was trustworthy and had a good follow-through. I felt legally protected and had peace of mind for the first time in many months. Her advice was spot on, and she guided me through the military justice system and family advocacy process. Because of Alexandra, I saved my career, cleared my name, and got to see my children after a long 18 months. I had a very positive experience with her and the firm, and I strongly recommend Alexandra when the military and your command abandon you and you want justice.” (US Marine Corps E-7).
“I’m an active duty Army 1LT and I was wrongfully charged with two counts of Sexual Assault on a fellow Officer. I knew the odds were seriously stacked against me and the situation seemed truly hopeless. At first, I was hesitant to retain the Waddingtons given the cost of their representation but I ultimately decided on hiring Michael and his wife Alexandra for their legal services. This decision proved to be the best I have ever made. I was found not guilty of both charges and was fully acquitted. It is clear that both Michael and his wife truly care about their clients and will take the time to ensure you are prepared for your court-marshal. I believe their experience and professionalism made the difference in my case and I am confident I wouldn’t be writing this review had I solely went with TDS alone. They truly gave me a second chance at life and I would recommend them to anyone facing felony charges in the military. Don’t gamble with your future. You don’t want to look back on this decision wondering if things would have been different had you hired this team.” (US Army O-2).
“The Waddington’s saved my life! If I would have used a military appointed “TDS” attorney I would have been in jail. The military lawyer told me without even reviewing the case to take a plea deal. As soon as Michael got on board he handled everything professionally and timely! The quality of work this family puts into a case is unparalleled! Michael ensured I got the fairest possible trial with all the proper legal defense I was entitled to. He advised me every step of the way. Michael exposed all the corruption and lies from CID the prosecutors and my command team as well as the person who made the allegations against me. No stone was left unturned! Don’t chance it with the military they will lie and lie and lie and get you thrown in jail. Call Michael immediately and sleep easy at night knowing that the Waddington’s are on it! Outstanding professional no nonsense down to earth people and even better attorneys! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” (US Army E-5).
“If you’re looking for attorneys that don’t back down you’ve came to the right place. I was facing 3x sexual assault charges and 3x assault charges if it wasn’t for Mr.Waddington and his wife I’d be in prison. TDS Army attorney wanted me to say I was guilty and telling me I was going to prison. Mr.Waddington went in that court room and took control the prosecution didn’t know what to do. I can’t thank them enough any questions I had were answered. Without a doubt worth every penny. The panel took about 45 min to come out NOT GUILTY.” (US Army E-5).
“Mr and Mrs waddington represented me at a board for accusations of sexual assault kidnapping and assault as well as various other offenses. From the moment I was notified that I was going to a board I knew that my command was going to throw everything they could at me. I embarrassed them and they accused me of a crime I was innocent of. I knew I needed a great attorney .I ended up getting two great attorneys a husband and wife team. Whenever I had questions or needed information about my case Mrs. Waddington was on it. She responded lighting quick and was clear concise and very comforting. Together with Mr.Waddington they prepared for conflict. We did get that conflict and to say the prosecution was outgunned outclassed would be underselling it. From the moment Mr.Waddington first opened his voice and presence was commanding and powerful. Mr.Waddington did something that the prosecution did not do. He appealed to the boards common sense and used reason and logic to win over our case something the prosecutors were trying vehemently to suppress. When cross examination came for the special investigators of our case we were all in for a treat. Mr.Waddington took control of the court room and embarrassed a rookie agent and showed how poor and inadequate a job he had done investigating my allegations. He failed to investigate my allegations impartially and had the audacity to say after raising his right hand that he was impartial. Mr.Waddington asked the agent if he used the DOD regulations to investigate my accusation, this man who graduated from special agent school did not even know what the regulations were. It goes to show you how careless they investigated my case not even following there own regulations. When a young man’s life is in jeopardy you should know those regulations. After a three day battle at the board, we had our closings. The prosecutation failed to appeal to the boards emotion. They name called me belittled me and degraded me. Mr.Waddington did the opposite throughout the closing and the trial. He showed that I was a human being with hope’s and dreams. A young man who swore an oath to defend the constitution just like those on the board. He used logic common sense and reasoning which the government just did not have. His Closing was powerful and straight to the point. The board deliberated and came back with all counts being unfounded. Let me tell you there were a lot of counts. It was incredible and reinvigorated me, a guy that at one point was down and out for the count. Mr and Mrs waddington thank you for what you did for me and what you do for other service members I will never forget it.” (US Air Force E-4).
“I hired Michael and Alexandra Waddington to represent my son for an Article 120 case at Fort Hood. When my son called and broke the news, we knew we were in for a heck of a fight. From the beginning, the Army came after him with all their might. Aside from his squad leader, everyone abandoned him. After a few months of stress and getting nowhere with the Army lawyer, our family hired Michael and Alexandra. I was very happy with the responsiveness to our phone calls and texts. They worked together as a team and kept us updated. They really cared about the best interest of my son. After a year long struggle, I am happy to say that my son was able to finish his service and get out with an honorable discharge and without a criminal record. The Waddington’s cleared his name and reputation. We are forever grateful.” (US Army E-3).
“I want to start by saying I am extremely satisfied with the work of Michael and Alexandra, you guys are an amazing team and I am so thankful for you both. I (Staff NCO in the Army) waited until 1 week before the Article 39 hearing to schedule a consultation with Michael and Alexandra; I wish I had done so from the beginning. I was dealing with a lot of psychological issues from the allegations, unanswered questions, and uncertainties. Bringing them onto my team provided immediate relief, they helped me to think clearly and focus on the goal of winning my case. In the weeks leading up to my Court martial, the Waddingtons and my detailed attorney revealed numerous inconsistencies. All I had to do at this point was show up and explain what actually happened. Naturally, lies don’t make sense especially when the are compounding on each other. This all held true during the court proceedings. Long story short, my accuser got on the stand and gave her well rehearsed testimony for the prosecutor. When Michael got up there to do cross, he was calm and slowly started peeling apart her layers and layers of deceit. There were dozens of inconsistencies, the majority of which were blatant lies or cover-ups and even crimes which were highlighted for the panel to see. The Court room is truly Michael’s domain. In the end I was acquitted of all charges and specifications. I was able to have a nice dinner with my family and talk about the future without prefacing “depends on how this court martial goes but”; that feels amazing. Hiring Michael and Alexandra was the best decision of my life, if you are in a similar situation get them on the phone asap. Some additional tips for whoever finds themselves here: -If you are being investigated by CID for allegations of violating article 120, do not wait around. Be pro-active, retain a great attorney and get to work. The Army will not provide you an assigned attorney until you have actually been charged with a crime; What if there is something in your case that could curtail the entire process? You wouldn’t even know and that’s how the Government likes it. Because they have every intention of charging you even if it’s solely based on the word of you accuser. -DO NOT talk to CID, do not confide in you Chain of Command. Don’t even discuss the details of your case with Mom, Dad, or best friend. -Your CO will issue a Military Protective Order as a “standard” thing. This will deny you certain liberties like purchasing and owning a firearm since it gets submitted to the FBI. Make sure to ask the question why your CO is processing an MPO without an expiration date, or as a matter of fact without any evidence. Seems unlawful to me, but this is all in retrospect because I ignorantly signed it as I had no real legal representation at the time it was issued. -You’ll be flagged the entire time, no way around this. Just continue to do your best at work, show them how resilient you are and contribute to the growth of your Company. Do not give them any excuse to label you a dirt bag, or worse stack on additional charges. Good luck.” (US Army E-6).
“Alexandra is an outstanding military defense lawyer and a wonderful person. My case was quite difficult because I had a 23-year career on the line and I was deployed. I felt like my command hung me out to dry. I needed a criminal lawyer that knew the Navy system and had the experience and wisdom to guide me through the landmines I faced. I also needed someone to get the command to back off and give me a fair investigation. I called Alexandra late one evening on a weekend and hired her the next day. She immediately went to bat for me and got me through this with full retirement and dignity intact. Thank you, Alexandra.” (US Navy O-5).
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) serves as the foundational legal framework governing the conduct of military personnel in the United States Army and other branches of the armed forces. Enacted to maintain discipline, order, and justice within the military, the UCMJ covers many offenses and procedural rules for handling violations. Army UCMJ and military defense lawyers play a crucial role in this system, ensuring that service members receive fair trials and legal representation.
The UCMJ was established by Congress in 1950, replacing earlier codes that varied between different military branches. It standardizes legal procedures and offenses across all branches, promoting uniformity and fairness. The UCMJ includes substantive laws defining criminal offenses and procedural laws outlining the steps for prosecuting and adjudicating these offenses. It applies to all active-duty military personnel, reservists, and, under certain circumstances, retired service members and civilians subject to military law.
Several common charges under the UCMJ can lead to court-martial proceedings, each varying in severity and potential consequences. Army court martial attorneys and military defense lawyers are essential in navigating these charges and defending the accused.
Sexual assault and rape are serious offenses under Article 120 of the UCMJ. These charges can encompass a range of behaviors, including non-consensual sexual acts, attempted assaults, and inappropriate contact. Convictions can result in severe penalties, including dishonorable discharge, confinement, and registration as a sex offender. Military defense lawyers work to challenge the evidence, establish consent, and ensure that the rights of the accused are protected.
Article 121 UCMJ deals with theft-related offenses, including larceny and wrongful appropriation of military or personal property. Convictions can lead to confinement, reduced rank, and forfeiture of pay. Court martial attorneys often scrutinize the evidence of ownership, intent, and value of the property involved to build a defense.
Assault charges under Article 128 can range from simple assault to aggravated assault involving a weapon or resulting in severe injury. Penalties can vary widely based on the circumstances and severity of the assault. Military defense lawyers focus on self-defense claims, the credibility of witnesses, and the intent behind the actions.
Drug-related offenses under Article 112a include the use, possession, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances. Such charges can severely impact a service member’s career, leading to discharge and confinement. Court martial attorneys often challenge the procedures used in drug testing, chain of custody for evidence, and the intent behind possession or use.
Violations under Article 92 include the failure to obey lawful orders or regulations, dereliction of duty, and other acts of insubordination. These charges are crucial for maintaining military discipline and can result in significant penalties. Military defense lawyers aim to demonstrate compliance, miscommunication, or the unlawfulness of the order itself.
Article 134 serves as a catch-all for offenses not specifically covered elsewhere in the UCMJ but which are prejudicial to good order and discipline or bring discredit upon the armed forces. This can include conduct such as adultery, disorderly conduct, and fraternization. Court martial attorneys use their expertise to argue what constitutes prejudicial conduct or discredit.
Military defense lawyers and Army court-martial attorneys are critical in the military justice system, providing legal representation to service members facing UCMJ charges. These attorneys are well-versed in military law and procedures, ensuring that the rights of the accused are upheld throughout the investigative and judicial process. They conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and develop defense strategies tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.
In Army court-martial proceedings, these lawyers challenge the prosecution’s evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present exculpatory evidence. They also negotiate plea deals when appropriate and provide mitigation during sentencing to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. The expertise and dedication of military defense lawyers are essential in maintaining the integrity of the military justice system and ensuring that service members receive fair and just treatment.
Gonzalez & Waddington is a law firm with extensive experience handling UCMJ cases. Their team of Miami, FL, military defense lawyers and court martial attorneys are committed to defending service members’ rights and achieving favorable outcomes in complex military legal matters. Whether facing charges under Article 120, Article 92, or any other UCMJ article, their expertise and dedication make them invaluable advocates for those who serve.