Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry ordered by command to assess alleged misconduct. Though not criminal, it can severely impact careers and may escalate to reprimands, separation, or court-martial within Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. Gonzalez & Waddington can be reached at 1-800-921-8607.
Watch the criminal defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington break down how they defend criminal cases and service members worldwide against Federal Charges, Florida State Charges, UCMJ allegations, CID/NCIS/OSI investigations, court-martials, Article 120 cases, administrative separations, and GOMORs. If you’re under investigation or facing charges, this video explains what your rights are and how experienced criminal defense lawyers can make the difference.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or a criminal investigation by federal authorities, the military, or the State of Florida, early defense matters. Gonzalez & Waddington provide disciplined, trial-focused criminal defense for high-stakes cases involving serious allegations and complex evidence. To speak with experienced criminal defense lawyers and get confidential guidance, call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-909-7407 to request a no-cost, confidential consultation.
Yes. Administrative separation is a non‑judicial process that can lead to release from service even when no court-martial is pursued. It follows Coast Guard regulations and uses a lower evidentiary threshold than criminal proceedings.
NJP addresses minor misconduct and focuses on discipline, while a Board of Inquiry (BOI) determines whether a member should be retained in service. A BOI is a formal administrative hearing, whereas NJP is a command-level process without a board.
The Coast Guard must typically meet a preponderance of the evidence standard at a BOI. This means the board weighs whether the alleged conduct is more likely than not to have occurred.
A BOI is usually composed of a panel of commissioned officers who outrank the member being reviewed. They evaluate evidence, hear testimony, and make findings and recommendations.
The board may review documents, witness testimony, service records, and official reports. It may consider both favorable and unfavorable information as long as it meets procedural requirements.
BOI findings may influence whether a member continues service long enough to reach retirement eligibility. The board’s recommendations and subsequent command decisions can shape whether a member’s career continues or ends before qualification.
The board may recommend a characterization of service based on the member’s overall record and the conduct under review. Potential characterizations can influence how the member’s service is documented at separation.
Yes, a member may choose to have a civilian attorney at their own expense. Civilian counsel can participate alongside the detailed military attorney if the member elects such representation.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville sits along Florida’s northeast shoreline, centered around the St. Johns River and the port facilities that anchor the region. Its position near downtown Jacksonville and the surrounding communities of Mayport, Orange Park, and Ponte Vedra makes it closely integrated with civilian maritime activity. The coastal climate and busy waterways shape the operational demands placed on the installation.
The area serves as a gateway to one of the East Coast’s most active commercial and military shipping corridors. Its proximity to deep-water channels and critical port infrastructure gives the sector a strategic role in coastal security and maritime oversight. Regional weather patterns and hurricane exposure add further operational significance.
The installation is staffed primarily by Coast Guard personnel who support maritime safety, port security, and coastal defense missions. Key operational elements include boat stations, cutters, and aviation detachments that coordinate regional responses. The sector also collaborates with nearby Navy assets and local agencies.
The sector oversees search and rescue operations, waterways management, environmental protection, and port security for a wide stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coast. Its teams monitor commercial vessel traffic and enforce maritime regulations in coordination with federal and state partners. The mission supports both national defense and civilian maritime activity.
The active-duty population is moderate, with personnel distributed across command staff, operational units, and specialized detachments. Members support deployable cutters, aviation elements, and shoreside security missions. Rotational assignments and maritime patrol schedules maintain steady activity.
Units at the sector regularly participate in coastal patrols, offshore missions, and joint operations with regional partners. Some elements rotate to support broader Atlantic and Caribbean responsibilities. These commitments contribute to a consistent operational tempo.
Service members assigned to or passing through the sector may encounter UCMJ matters connected to investigations, administrative actions, or disciplinary proceedings. The operational environment, with its demanding patrol cycles and interagency coordination, can influence when and how legal issues arise. Command responsibilities ensure that cases are processed through appropriate military channels.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent service members stationed at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. Their work includes assisting personnel involved in UCMJ-related matters connected to the sector’s operational and administrative activities. They engage with cases brought within the area’s military legal framework.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville is located along Florida’s northeast coastline, centered in the city of Jacksonville and extending its operational reach across the St. Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic approaches to the region. Its position near communities such as Mayport, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, and Fernandina Beach places the installation at the heart of a densely populated and economically active maritime corridor. The sector’s subtropical climate, extensive waterways, and hurricane‑prone environment shape its daily operations and emergency response posture. Its close integration with local port authorities, commercial shipping interests, and recreational boating communities underscores its role as a regional maritime safety and security hub.
As one of the Coast Guard’s key Atlantic-area sectors, Sector Jacksonville hosts active duty Coast Guard personnel responsible for missions including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, port security, and environmental protection. The installation oversees cutters, small boat stations, and specialized response teams positioned throughout the northern Florida coastline. Its mission also supports regional command-and-control functions, coordination with Naval Station Mayport, and close collaboration with state and municipal agencies during severe weather events or major port operations.
The uniformed population at Sector Jacksonville includes a diverse mix of operational crews, aviation-support elements, command staff, and deployable units that conduct daily patrols and rapid-response missions. Activity levels are high due to constant vessel traffic, seasonal surge operations, and the need for continual readiness in search‑and‑rescue and homeland security roles. Personnel may rotate frequently between cutters, small boat stations, and joint operational assignments, and some members support deployments outside the region or contribute to national-level response missions.
The demanding operational environment at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville means service members may encounter administrative investigations, non‑judicial punishment, courts‑martial, or separation actions under the UCMJ. Operational mishaps, duty‑related incidents, and the high‑tempo nature of maritime missions can all trigger legal proceedings. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville who are facing these challenges and require experienced legal counsel.
https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/
CDIs are often triggered by complaints, performance concerns, policy violations, interpersonal conflicts, or incidents that require command clarification.
Yes, the scope of a CDI can be expanded if new allegations or issues arise during fact-finding. This is common in practice.
The length of a CDI varies depending on complexity, number of witnesses, and command urgency. Some are completed quickly, while others may take weeks or months.
Service members retain certain rights, including Article 31(b) protections when suspected of an offense. These rights apply even though the investigation is administrative.
Yes, statements made during a CDI are often included in the investigative report and can be used in later administrative or criminal proceedings.
