California Military Defense Lawyers

Call us today to get more information

California Military Defense Lawyers

Stationed in California? Facing a court-martial, UCMJ action, Administrative Separation Board, or other Adverse Administrative Action? Call our experienced California military defense lawyers at 1-800-921-8607 for a free consultation.

Cities in California where our military defense attorneys represent service members at court-martial and in administrative separations:

California Army Installations where our lawyers practice:

Camp Parks (PRFTA)

Camp Parks has seen three military branches. The Air Force used the area for basic training during the Korean War. Since 1980, the base has remained semi-active as a Parks Reserve Forces Training Area and is ready for mobilization in war or natural disaster. It is still used for training, administration, servicing, and other regular operational missions.

Fort Hunter Liggett Monterey

Fort Hunter Liggett was the largest US Army Reserve command post at one time, covering 200,000 acres, down to 165,000 today. The permanent military and civilian population is quite small for the size of Hunter Liggett. Since the 1990s, FHL has been a sub-installation of Fort McCoy.

Fort Irwin Barstow

The National Training Center of Fort Irwin is a major US Army training center and the only facility in the world capable of supporting training operations, including force-on-force and live fire training for large-scale units such as brigade-sized forces. The facility, located in the Mojave Desert, North Bernardino, California, is operated by the Installation Management Command.

Fort Irwin provides real-life simulated combat situations for 4000-5000 soldiers in the US Army each month. Built in 1940, Fort Irwin was established as the Mojave Anti-Aircraft Gunner Range. It was later reestablished as Camp Irwin, in honor of Major General George Irwin of the 57th Field Artillery Brigade in World War I. The National Training Center was established on Fort Irwin in August 1979. It is now the premier Combat Training Center for the US Army.

Presidio of Monterey Monterey

The Presidio of Monterey is a US Army facility in Monterey, California, housing the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. This institute has the primary mission of providing foreign language instruction and education to elements of all military services of the US Military. Although being directly under the control of the US Army, members of the other services, such as the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force, maintain a strong presence on the post.

This is attributed to the number of students the facility trains from different military branches. Aside from military units, federal and law enforcement agencies also receive Spanish language training in the post. Forty languages are taught in the facility as of 2009.

California Air Force Bases where our lawyers practice:

Beale AFB Marysville

Beale AFB, operated by Air Combat Command, is in Yuba County, California, near Marysville. It is home to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, which is assigned to train and deploy reconnaissance units such as the U-2R Dragonlady and the RQ-4 UAV Global Hawk. The base, considered one of the US Air Force’s show places, covers 23,000 hectares and is home to 4,000 military personnel.

Edwards AFB Edwards

Edwards AFB houses the USAF Test Pilot School, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the NASA Dryden Flight Research Institute. Edwards has been the site of more records than any other place on Earth.

Edwards has been behind many technological advances in American aerospace technology, such as the P-59, which was America’s first jet aircraft; the Bell X-1, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier; the highly valued X-15, which could reach up to Mach 6 and the first aircraft to fly into space, the YF-12A which would later be developed into the SR-71, the B-2, the Airborne Laser and the space shuttle program. The base hosts an average of 200 special test programs at the cutting edge of our nation’s aerospace arsenal.

Los Angeles AFB El Segundo

The Los Angeles Air Force Base is located in El Segundo, California, near the Los Angeles Airport and garrisoned by the 61st Air Base Wing. The base is home to the Air Force Space Command’s Space Missile Systems Center headquarters, a major satellite development organization. Los Angeles AFB has an annual SMC budget of at least $4 billion annually. Los Angeles, with an area of 112 acres, employs about 3,000 people. Military personnel at the base are housed at Fort Macarthur, San Fernando, and Pacific Heights. Some facilities housed in the SMC are located in Kirtland Air Force Base, Philips Lab, and Norton Air Force Base.

March Air Reserve Base Riverside

March ARB is one of the oldest airfields, run by the Air Force, established in 1918. Border Protection and California Dept. of Forestry air units also exist. Civilian organizations also use the base, and a 16-year agreement between the Air Force and DHL recently ended after only four. Like many air bases moving towards joint or full civilian use, there is much debate and protest about the use of the land.

McClellan AFB

McClellan AFB in California was one of the major US Air Force bases in the western part of the country. The base is a joint civilian and military airfield and tourist destination. Parts of the US Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento have also been stationed here.

Travis AFB Fairfield

Travis AFB is operated by Air Mobility Command and is located in Fairfield, California. It was built in June 1942 and is home to the 60th Air Mobility Wing. Travis is also known as the Gateway to the Pacific across the San Francisco Bay Area. The base can handle more cargo and passenger traffic than any other US military air terminal. Travis AFB is home to at least 7,000 active duty personnel, 4,000 Air Force reservists, and 3,770 civilians.

Vandenberg AFB Lompoc

Vandenberg Air Force Base is operated by AFSC and located in Santa Barbara County, near Lompoc, California, USA. It is home to the 30th Space Wing and currently houses a spaceport. Vandenberg AFB is often called America’s quiet launch site.

The site was chosen because rockets launched from the airbase can fly due south without crossing overland until reaching Antarctica. This assures no threat to inhabited land if a spent rocket stage falls back to earth or during failed launches. Vandenberg currently has six active space launch complexes responsible for launching missiles.

California Coast Guard Bases where our lawyers practice:

ISC Alameda Alameda

ISC Alameda, located on CG Island and part of District 11, is now split between BSU Alameda, PSSU Alameda, and HSWL Alameda. All Integrated Support Commands have been split in this manner as part of the USCG’s modernization efforts.

Alameda manages around 1,200 Coast Guard-owned homes and warehouses, health services, work services, transportation of household goods, and personal support services. It is home port to: – USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) – USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) – USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) – USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720) – USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC-722)

TRACEN Petaluma

Petaluma began as Two Rock Ranch, an Army post with the secret mission of listening to Japanese communications. It became obsolete for that purpose, and the Coast Guard saved it from closing because it needed more space for training during the Vietnam War. The USCG renamed the base after relieving the Army of its command. Today, the Training Center covers 800 acres of land and has 219 buildings. The 10 schools on base train 4,000 students annually in the 200,000-square-foot facilities.

California Marine Corps Bases where our lawyers practice:

Camp Pendleton San Diego

Camp Pendleton is a Marine Corps base in northern San Diego County, California. The base is the primary amphibious training installation for the US Marine Corps on the US West Coast. This can be attributed to the 17.1 miles of shoreline and 125,000 acres of land used for large training maneuvers by various Marine Corps Units.

The base was created in 1942 and named in honor of Marine General Joseph Henry Pendleton, who pushed for creating a Marine Corps training base on the West Coast. Camp Pendleton is currently home to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Because of the excellent facilities and training grounds in the base, it has hosted 40,000 active-duty and 26,000 reserve military personnel training from all services, including the Army and the Air Force, among others, in addition to foreign military services.

MCAS Miramar San Diego

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is a Marine Corps air base in San Diego, California. Before the Department of Defense Realignment Program, it was called Naval Air Station Miramar. It is now home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Mitscher Airfield, located in the air station, is named in honor of Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher, the former commander of the Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific during World War II. The air station itself took its name from the Native American word Miramar, meaning view of the sea. MCAS Miramar is one of the largest military bases in the San Diego area. With an average of 250 aircraft stationed in the station daily, Miramar averages up to 200,000 sorties annually.

MCLB Barstow

MCLB Barstow is the Marine Corps supply and logistics facility in Barstow, California. It is tasked with procuring, maintaining, repairing, rebuilding, storing, and distributing combat and combat-support supplies and equipment to other installations on the United State’s West Coast.

It is one of only two facilities operated by the Marine Corps Logistics Bases’ Maintenance Center and MCLB Albany, which is assigned to the East Coast. The base was originally named Marine Corps Depot of Supplies on December 28, 1942, when ownership was transferred from the US Navy to the Marine Corps. It provided logistical and equipment support to the Fleet Marine Forces of the Pacific Theatre in World War II.

MCRD San Diego

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a US Marine base in San Diego, California. MCRD San Diego and MCRD Parris Island are the only US Marine recruiting bases. The base’s primary mission is to train recruits, drill instructors, and recruiters. It houses the Marine Corps Recruiter School and the Drill Instructors School of the Western Recruiting Region.

The base annually trains 21,000 recruits. Even though it was not included in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, some government officials have questioned the importance of operating it on valuable land. Thankfully, stubborn resistance from the Marine Corps has kept the base intact. The original plan of transferring the base’s facilities and units to Parris Island has not been pushed through.

Mountain Training Center Pickel Meadows

The Mountain Warfare Training Center is 21 miles north of Bridgeport, California, on Route 108. The USMC and Allied Forces conduct training in mountainous, high altitude, and cold weather conditions. The base was established for training during the Korean War. Today, the MTC prepares soldiers for deployment in places like Norway or, more recently, the mountainous regions of Afghanistan. Forty-six thousand acres of land with elevations from 6,000 to 11,000 ft are utilized for training courses like the Mountain Sniper Course, Mountain Survival Course, and Mountain Communications Course.

Twentynine Palms

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, with an area occupying 596,000 acres of the southern Mojave Desert, houses the largest of the US Marine Corps Bases. Built in 1949, the base is now home to the 7th Marine Regiment, the 1st Tank Battalion, the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, and the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

The Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, headquartered at Twentynine Palms, primarily operates the combat center for live fire combined arms exercises to train soldiers for combat duty preparedness. The base is now considered the premier training facility for Marine operations and hosts active-duty soldiers from other countries worldwide for Combined Arms Exercises.

California Navy Bases where our lawyers practice:

Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range

The U.S. Navy and Marines use the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range for aerial gunnery practice with live fire and aerial bombing. It is also a restricted area of approximately 456,000 acres in size, located in the northern part of the Chocolate Mountains. It has restricted airspace in California and Arizona.

The Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range was established during World War II to provide much-needed aerial gunnery and bombing training. Today, the same trend continues, supporting training essential for the effectiveness of the U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Air Forces. The range is expected to be used to provide training with new aircraft such as the MV-22 and the F-35.

NAS Lemoore

Naval Air Station Lemoore is home to the West Coast attack operations of the Navy’s West Coast. It was built in 1961 as a Master Jet Base and is now the largest master jet air station of the US Navy. The base is the home port of the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. It is also home to four carrier air wings.

The station possesses 30,000 acres of land, of which 18,784 are considered Navy property, and the rest are used under contract for air easement. The air arsenal of Naval Air Station Lemoore is composed of F/A-18 Hornets. The air station’s F-14s, recently decommissioned by the Navy, have now been replaced with F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. 175 Hornets and Super Hornets are now housed in the air station.

NAS Point Mugu

Naval Air Station Point Mugu is a military base in Point Mugu, Ventura County, near Oxnard, California. Unfortunately, the Base Realignment and Closure policy realigned the base to Naval Base Ventura County’s control. The California National Guard frequently uses its Channel Islands Air National Guard Station runways.

Before the realignment, the base operated and maintained station facilities to support the Naval Air Warfare Center, the Weapons Division, and the units assigned to the air station. Point Mugu used to be under the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. This division was responsible for the Navy’s research and development of air warfare weapons systems, missile and missile subsystems, aircraft weapons integration, and electronic warfare systems for airborne units.

Naval Air Facility El Centro

Located around six miles to the northeast of the main town of El Centro, Naval Air Facility El Centro is one of the training centers for the Navy forces in the region. El Centro has two runways that new and veteran pilots use for training.

Each runaway is equipped with a Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, allowing pilots to train for simulated landings in aircraft carriers (the above equipment is used in carriers). The site is also a training area for combat operations, like ordnance delivery and dog fighting. Aside from purely military purposes, the El Centro facility is also the winter home of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, more popularly known as the Blue Angels. Visitors to the base can catch a glimpse of their regular practice routines.

Naval Base Coronado, San Diego

Naval Base Coronado is a military installation located in San Diego, California. The base is one of the Navy’s major shore commands, with 27 tenant units. Currently, the naval base serves as the center for special and expeditionary warfare training and operations for the West Coast. Currently, some of the major commands in Coronado are the Commander Naval Surface Force, the US Pacific Fleet, the Commander Naval Special Warfare Command, and most of the Pacific Fleet’s Naval Special Warfare units and Expeditionary units.

Naval Base Coronado is home to eight facilities, namely: Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Outlying Field Imperial Beach, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island, Silver Strand Training Complex, SERE Facility Warner Springs, La Posta Mountain Warfare Training Facility, and Camp Morena.

Naval Battalion Center Port Hueneme

Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme is the homeport of the West Coast Navy Construction Battalions. The Center is tasked with training to mobilize the 2,600 active duty personnel of its Construction Battalions on short notice. The Construction Battalion Center operates a 1,600-acre naval base on the southern coast of California.

The center’s primary mission is to establish a homeport where extensive training and logistical support for Construction Battalions can be undertaken. The Construction Battalions housed in Port Hueneme are Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 3, 4, 5, and 40. The port is also home to Underwater Construction Team 2, the 1st Naval Construction Regiment, the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, and the 31st Seabee Readiness Group.

Naval Hospital Pendleton, Camp Pendleton

The Naval Hospital in Camp Pendleton in San Diego serves active duty and retired personnel in Southern California and civilians in and around the base. The hospital is housed 10 miles from the camp’s main gate, one of the country’s major bases on the West Coast.

The hospital offers a wide variety of general patient care and services and can handle around 120 patients at any given time. The hospital staff is also ready to conduct surgical and nonsurgical operations. The hospital has a pharmacy, which gives patients access to affordable medicine. The hospital also conducts seminars for health awareness.

Naval Medical Center San Diego

The Naval Medical Center is in San Diego, California. In addition to providing care for both military and civilian patients, NMC California offers various services to assist patients. The Online Refill service allows patients to reserve a new set of medications from the pharmacy if their supplies run out. The center also has several specialty clinics that can respond to the needs of specific patients.

Naval Postgraduate School Monterey

The Naval Postgraduate School in California is the main educational institute for US Armed Forces service wishing to pursue their studies beyond the graduate level. The Naval Postgraduate School was created in 1909, initially offering degrees in marine engineering. The school is subdivided into five component schools focusing on a specific study area, including Engineering, Business Administration, and Public Relations. As part of the Bases Reorganization and Closure program, the courses offered in the NPS were realigned to avoid the duplication of courses with the Air Force Institute of Technology.

NAWS China Lake

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, has been behind almost every successful airborne weapon system for over 50 years. The facility is located in the northeastern region of the Mojave Desert in California’s San Bernardino County.

The installation houses the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine, the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31, and a training detachment from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal group. With more than 1.1 million acres of land, China Lake maintains the US Navy’s largest land property. This tract of land alone comprises more than a third of all the Navy’s land holdings worldwide.

North Island Naval Complex San Diego

Naval Air Station North Island is a Navy installation in San Diego and Coronado, California. The Air Station, together with Naval Base Coronado, Outlying Field Imperial Beach, and Naval Air Landing Facility, is part of the largest aerospace-industrial complex in the US Navy.

North Island oversees two other Southern Californian airfields: Naval Auxiliary Landing Facility San Clemente Island and Outlying Field Imperial Beach. Together with these airfields, the station operates 230 aircraft and three aircraft carriers. The base houses 35,000 military personnel, reservists, and civilian employees.

NS San Diego

Naval Base San Diego is the US Navy’s largest base on the US West Coast in San Diego, California. With 14 piers covering 977 acres and 12 miles of coast to service over 54 ships and 120 tenant commands, it is the Pacific Fleet’s main homeport. The base is now considered the largest surface support installation in the US Navy.

Naval Base San Diego is home to the Public Works Center, the Ship Intermediate Maintenance Activity, and the Fleet Training Center. In 1918, the base was originally the site of the Emergency Fleet Corporation of the Pacific Marine Construction. After the corporation’s bankruptcy, the land was returned to the City of San Diego and later acquired by the Navy. NS San Diego is home to over 40,000 personnel, of which 7,000 are civilian employees.

NWS Seal Beach

The Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach, California, is a major weapons storage facility for the US Navy in the West Coast area. The main facility is in a 21 square kilometer area, with around 128 ammunition dumps sprawled across for weapons storage. The installation is also serviced by a large network of railroads and cranes for easier loading and transport of equipment.

Because weapons storage is inherently dangerous, some areas of the facility are off-limits to civilians. The station personnel are also conducting an Installation Rehabilitation program to clean up environmental contamination in the base.

Point Loma San Diego

Naval Base Point Loma is a Navy Installation in Point Loma, San Diego, California. Formerly, Fort Rosecrans, the base was reestablished as Point Loma in October of 1988 due to the consolidation of the Navy Region Southwest Commander.

The US Navy Third Fleet currently garrisons the base and is home to seven Naval Facilities, including Point Loma Submarine Base, Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Training Center, Fleet Command Training Center Pacific, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, SPAWAR Systems Center, Fleet Intelligence Command Pacific, and Naval Consolidated Brigade, Miramar. Point Loma has the primary mission of providing daily operations that make sure it best supports and serves the Fleets assigned to it.

Aggressive California Military Defense Attorneys

When You Need a Court Martial Lawyer in California

Our military defense lawyers have successfully defended military personnel around the world.

The experienced military defense attorneys at Gonzalez & Waddington have developed a reputation for defending military personnel at military installations worldwide. Suppose you are stationed in California and are under investigation for a military crime. In that case, retaining the most hard-hitting military lawyer can be the difference between going to jail versus winning your case or redeeming your career.

Our court martial lawyers represent California military personnel in both criminal and administrative matters, including defending military service members suspected of sexual assault, fraternization, and other crimes under the UCMJ.

Our criminal defense attorneys defend false accusations of rape, child abuse, and sexual assault under Articles 120 UCMJ, 120b UCMJ, and 120c UCMJ.

Our military court martial results are clear. The accused service member and his or her future is our primary concern. Our court martial lawyers maintain smaller caseloads than the average appointed defense attorney so that we can focus on every case individually. Your trial will not be delegated to a third party, and we will not bully you into a guilty plea at the eleventh hour. Our court-martial defense lawyers have contested military court-martial and administrative separation cases in the U.S. and globally.

California Court Martial Lawyers

Our high-powered court martial defense attorneys will use our history to defend your court martial or administrative separation case in California.

Call today to speak with a hard-hitting court-martial attorney.

California, The Golden State, and Silicon Valley

California is one of the most famous and world-renowned cities in the United States, and it houses many of the country’s wonders. Its culture, movies, and more have gained a worldwide reputation. California is the most populous state in the country, with a population exceeding 38 million people, primarily located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The state is home to Hollywood, one of the world’s biggest movie hubs, and the state also houses most of the world-renowned movie stars in the Beverley Hills area. The state is famous for the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge, a national icon. The state was home to various indigenous tribes before settlement; however, after the beginning of the gold rush, the state saw dramatic changes in development as people and money flooded in. Nowadays, the state houses many companies and opportunities to the people.

Key Highlights of California

The state of California has been one of the major centers of social and economic development over the decades. First, the Indigenous tribes in the area inhabited it; however, after prospectors came and claimed the land, they discovered gold in 1848. The California gold rush began, bringing about massive economic development that has never looked back.

The state is one of the most famous in terms of culture, especially in the movies, due to its housing various movie studios that have produced greats over the years. Apart from this, the infrastructure has no less impressed people. Even today, one of the key highlights of the place continues to be the famous Hollywood sign and the Golden Gate Bridge, all renowned worldwide. The state is home to the world-famous Silicon Valley, which has contributed massively to technological development through the decades.

Companies like Intel and Apple are situated in the state and have contributed to technological developments in the US and worldwide. The city’s highest point is in San Francisco and extends down to the Mojave desert, specifically Death Valley, where many movie scenes were shot. The place is one of the hottest and driest on earth. Speed Week is another major attraction in the Mojave Desert and is visited by many people worldwide.

Military details

In California, the Military scene is a very active one, and it has seen a lot of activities as well as achievements; one of the most recognized bases in the state is the Edwards Air Force Base, that has very humble beginnings back in 1876 when it was just established as a stop for water for the then active Pacific railroad, however since then, the base has gathered worldwide acclaim for various military and NASA testing and is one of the most active bases in the United States.

Over the years, the site has been home to many prototype aircraft flown and tested for hundreds of hours by their test pilots. With the turn of the century, NASA even moved space shuttle operations to Edwards, where the space shuttle was tested and developed. The base also plays host to various air shows, and till its closure, the Edwards Air Force base was the landing site for the American Space Shuttle program.

The base continues to be home to various units of the American Air Force, with the 412th Unit being the main occupier; however, the base also houses many associate units of the Air Force squadrons.

California service members merit the best military defense lawyers to represent them at their trial or ADSEP hearing.

If you or a family member are stationed in California and are accused of a military crime such as sexual assault or if you are confronted with an administrative separation, NJP, elimination board, or letter of reprimand, then contact our court-martial attorneys now.

California Military Defense Lawyers

California is home to more than just a few military bases. As you know, the military forces have a very rigid structure that they want all actively serving men and women to adhere to to maintain law and order. However, someone can slip up from time to time. Because of the strict rules, an individual can face severe charges for even a minor infraction.

This can have a severely debilitating impact on the individual’s life – he or she will forever have to face the looks and taunts of others, and his or her promotions within the military forces will be impacted. It is possible that he or she may not easily be able to find other jobs if he or she is asked to leave the military forces. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, your best bet would be to contact legal experts, such as Waddington and Gonzalez, who can help you and prevent the damage you could face.

Military Bases in California

California has 32 operational military bases, including the two joint bases, the Los Alamitos Joint Forces and the San Joaquin Depot Joint Operations.

There are seven air force bases: the Beale Air Force Base (located in Marysville), the Edwards Air Force Base, the Los Angeles Air Force Base (located in El Segundo), the March Air Reserve Base Air Force (located in Riverside), the McClellan Air Force Base (located in Sacramento), the Travis Air Force Base (located in Fairfield) and the Vandenberg Air Force Base (located in Lompoc). In addition, numerous army bases, Coast Guard bases, Marine Corps bases, and Navy bases are also located in California.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice

The Uniform Code of Military Justice, often called the UCMJ, forms the core of all military law. Congress coined this Federal law, which outlines all offenses that will be punished through court martial should any individual be found guilty.

Therefore, the Uniform Code of Military Justice comprises a key element of criminal justice in the military forces. Consequently, it is essential for an individual who is an actively serving military officer to enlist the help of a legal expert who has a thorough knowledge of this code of justice.

Legal Advice in California

Gonzalez & Waddington have years of experience dealing with clients charged with serious crimes under the UCMJ. They have dealt with accusations of murder, rape, theft, sexual abuse and more. This makes them capable of handling any situation that may arise.

Gonzalez & Waddington have a strong track record of emerging victorious from any case they are involved. They are very passionate about ensuring that no one is accused of a crime that he or she did not commit, and they function on the principle of serving justice to all. If you feel that you have been unjustly accused of a criminal offense, you should contact them for help.

Fictional UCMJ Offenses with California-Specific Scenarios and Defense Strategies:

Unauthorized Use of Government Vehicles for Surfing Trip (Article 92 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Naval Base Coronado borrows a military vehicle without authorization for a weekend surfing trip to Huntington Beach, resulting in minor damage to the vehicle.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could argue that the service member had implied consent from a superior or that using the vehicle was necessary for a legitimate personal emergency. They could negotiate reduced charges or administrative remedies instead of a court-martial.

Disrespectful Conduct Towards a State Wildlife Officer (Article 134 Violation):

Fact Pattern: During a hiking trip in Yosemite National Park, a service member gets into a heated argument with a California State Wildlife Officer over park regulations, using disrespectful language and gestures.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could investigate whether the wildlife officer provoked the service member or acted inappropriately, potentially raising questions about the officer’s conduct. They could also argue that the service member’s actions did not rise to the level of a UCMJ offense.

Negligent Discharge of a Firearm at a Shooting Range (Article 134 Violation):

Fact Pattern: While practicing at a public shooting range near Camp Pendleton, a service member accidentally discharges their personal firearm, causing minor property damage but no injuries.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could emphasize the accidental nature of the discharge, the service member’s adherence to safety protocols, and their clean disciplinary record. They could also negotiate for non-judicial punishment or administrative remedies.

Disorderly Conduct at a Hollywood Nightclub (Article 134 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member, intoxicated at a Hollywood nightclub, gets into a verbal altercation with other patrons, leading to the involvement of local law enforcement.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could investigate whether the service member was provoked or acting in self-defense. They could also challenge the credibility of witnesses and explore the possibility of resolving the issue through non-judicial punishment.

Failure to Report a Wildfire While Camping (Article 92 Violation):

Fact Pattern: While camping in the Angeles National Forest, a service member notices a small wildfire but fails to report it promptly, leading to a larger, more destructive blaze.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could argue that the service member lacked proper training on wildfire reporting procedures or that they genuinely believed the fire was under control. They could also explore the possibility of mitigating factors, such as limited cell phone reception in the area.

Unauthorized Use of Military Drone for Personal Filming (Article 92 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base uses a military drone to film a personal project without authorization, violating airspace regulations and potentially compromising sensitive information.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could argue that the service member lacked awareness of the specific regulations surrounding drone usage or that they had received conflicting guidance from superiors. They could also negotiate for alternative disciplinary measures, such as retraining or losing privileges.

Failure to Report a Sexual Assault (Article 92 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member witnesses a sexual assault at a party off base but fails to report it, fearing retaliation or ostracism from their unit.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could highlight the service member’s fear of reprisal and the potential lack of adequate support systems for reporting sexual assault. They could also advocate for leniency based on the service member’s willingness to cooperate with investigators and their otherwise good conduct.

Fraudulent Enlistment (Article 83 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Twentynine Palms, California, falsely claims a non-existent California residency to receive state-specific enlistment bonuses or benefits.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could investigate whether the service member misunderstood the residency requirements or was misled by a recruiter. They could also explore the possibility of negotiating a discharge in lieu of court-martial, allowing the service member to repay the unearned benefits.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) on Base (Article 111 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base is apprehended for driving under the influence on the base after consuming alcohol at a social event.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could challenge the traffic stop’s validity or the breathalyzer test’s accuracy. They could also argue for leniency based on the service member’s lack of prior offenses and willingness to participate in a substance abuse program.

Disobeying a Quarantine Order During a Pandemic (Article 92 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore violates a mandatory quarantine order issued during a statewide pandemic emergency, potentially exposing others to a contagious disease.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could investigate whether the service member received clear and unambiguous instructions regarding the quarantine order or whether extenuating circumstances necessitated leaving quarantine. They could also argue for alternative disciplinary measures, such as additional training or restriction of movement.

Theft of Government Property for Resale on a Los Angeles Flea Market (Article 121 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base steals military equipment and attempts to sell it at a local flea market for personal profit.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could investigate the service member’s motive for the theft, exploring potential financial hardships or underlying mental health issues. They could also negotiate a plea deal involving restitution and a less severe punishment.

False Official Statement Regarding a Leave Request (Article 107 Violation):

Fact Pattern: A service member stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton submits a false leave request, claiming a family emergency in San Francisco to attend a music festival.
Defense Strategy: California military defense lawyers could argue that the service member misinterpreted the leave request process or that they genuinely believed a family emergency was imminent. They could also highlight the service member’s otherwise exemplary service record and negotiate for a reduced punishment.

These scenarios demonstrate the diverse range of legal challenges military personnel in California may face. Experienced California military defense lawyers can provide invaluable guidance and advocacy, tailoring their defense strategies to the unique circumstances of each case and the specific legal landscape of California.