Naval Submarine Base New London Domestic Violence & Abuse Defense Lawyers
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Article 128b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice formally defines domestic violence and abuse within the military justice system, covering offenses that involve physical harm, attempts or threats of harm, and conduct used to control, intimidate, or coerce an intimate partner or immediate family member. The provision captures a wide range of abusive behavior, including acts that fall short of physical injury but still constitute unlawful force or violence.
The article applies when allegations arise in relationships that meet the statute’s criteria for qualifying victims, such as spouses, intimate partners, co-parents, and individuals who share or have shared a domestic residence with the accused service member. This relationship‑based framework determines when conduct is treated as a domestic violence offense rather than as a general assault or related crime.
Article 128b carries potential felony‑level punitive exposure under the military justice system, including confinement, a punitive discharge, and other judicial penalties, and it can also result in administrative actions such as adverse paperwork, loss of career opportunities, or involuntary separation proceedings independent of criminal adjudication.
Unlike civilian domestic violence laws, Article 128b integrates military‑specific standards, command authority, and service‑related collateral effects, and it provides a tailored definition of qualifying relationships, evidentiary considerations, and prohibited conduct that reflects the unique disciplinary and readiness interests of the armed forces.
Domestic violence and abuse under military law, defined and prosecuted under Article 128b UCMJ, can lead to rapid escalation into administrative separation and court-martial actions at Naval Submarine Base New London. Gonzalez & Waddington provides guidance on navigating investigations and command actions. For assistance, call 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.
Domestic violence and abuse allegations tend to progress rapidly at Naval Submarine Base New London because they trigger mandatory reporting requirements. Once an incident is reported to military police, medical personnel, or a supervisor, the command must be notified and respond promptly under established Navy protocols. This structured process ensures that leadership is immediately aware and can take required administrative or safety actions.
Command responses often include immediate protective measures such as no-contact orders and, when applicable, temporary firearms restrictions under federal and Navy policies. These steps are designed to stabilize the situation and reduce potential risk while the facts are reviewed through the appropriate investigative channels.
Because submarine commands operate with heightened risk management and maintain close visibility over personnel readiness, allegations receive swift administrative attention. The need to ensure safety, maintain operational integrity, and comply with Navy regulations leads to a faster and more formal progression than what is typical in many civilian settings.
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.
Relationship disputes and household conflict are often described in reports, with service members or partners noting disagreements that escalate into concerns about safety or wellbeing. These situations may involve conflicting accounts about what occurred, and they frequently arise during periods of heightened personal or operational stress.
Allegations can also originate from third-party reporting or welfare checks, including neighbors, command personnel, or friends who believe someone may need assistance. In many cases, these reports stem from perceived signs of distress rather than direct observation of any harmful conduct.
Alcohol use and emotional escalation are commonly mentioned in statements taken during stressful incidents. Individuals may later indicate that their recollections were influenced by fear, confusion, or the intensity of the moment, and accounts can vary significantly once the situation has stabilized.
Domestic violence allegations at Naval Submarine Base New London are examined through coordinated efforts between military authorities, command staff, and investigative personnel. These inquiries focus on assembling factual details that help clarify what occurred and document the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators gather materials from multiple sources to create a clear record of events, relying on both physical and testimonial evidence. The process seeks to establish an accurate account through structured interviews, preserved communications, and official documentation.
Sailors at Naval Submarine Base New London can face administrative separation proceedings even when no criminal conviction occurs. Commands may initiate this process based solely on substantiated concerns or patterns of behavior related to domestic violence allegations, making it a significant career threat independent of the military justice system.
When separation is pursued, the service member may be required to appear before a Board of Inquiry or show-cause board. These administrative forums review evidence, witness statements, and command assessments to determine whether the Sailor should be retained or discharged, applying a lower evidentiary threshold than criminal court.
The outcome of these proceedings can result in various discharge characterizations, including Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), or Other Than Honorable. The characterization directly affects access to veterans’ benefits, reenlistment eligibility, and how future employers interpret the service record.
Domestic violence allegations can also lead to suspension or loss of security clearance eligibility, which is critical for many submarine force ratings. Clearance issues, coupled with potential separation, may limit future duty assignments, advancement opportunities, and long-term career viability within the Navy.
Domestic violence incidents within the military often trigger criminal military investigations, during which law enforcement authorities such as CID, NCIS, or OSI gather evidence to determine whether criminal charges are warranted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These investigations can run parallel to civilian inquiries when local authorities are also involved, and their findings may influence both administrative and judicial outcomes.
In addition to criminal inquiries, commanders may initiate command-directed investigations to evaluate a service member’s conduct, duty performance, and potential impact on unit readiness. These administrative reviews can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed, and their conclusions may become part of the member’s record, shaping subsequent leadership decisions.
Depending on the severity of the findings, commanders may issue administrative actions such as Letters of Reprimand or initiate more serious processes like Boards of Inquiry, which assess fitness for continued service. In the most serious cases, domestic violence allegations may lead to court-martial proceedings, where evidence is adjudicated formally and potential punitive outcomes—including confinement or discharge—are determined under military law.
Gonzalez & Waddington are frequently retained in domestic violence and abuse cases arising at Naval Submarine Base New London because they have extensive experience working with relationship-driven allegations, including cases involving conflicting accounts, digital communications, and complex family dynamics common in military environments.
The firm provides integrated representation that addresses both the criminal process and the administrative actions that often accompany domestic violence allegations, ensuring that service members understand how investigations, command notifications, and potential collateral consequences interact within the military justice system.
Their attorneys bring decades of military justice experience that includes rigorous cross-examination of witnesses, law enforcement personnel, and investigative agents, allowing them to scrutinize the government’s evidence and highlight issues that may affect credibility, procedure, or the underlying narrative of the case.
Article 128b addresses domestic violence offenses committed by service members, including acts involving physical harm, threats, or certain violations of protective orders. It defines specific conduct that may be charged under military law and outlines elements prosecutors must consider.
Commands may initiate administrative separation based on the underlying conduct even if no trial occurs. These actions follow their own procedures and standards of proof, independent of criminal proceedings.
No-contact orders are command-issued directives restricting communication or proximity between involved parties. They are intended to maintain safety and good order while an allegation is being reviewed or investigated.
Certain domestic violence circumstances may trigger limitations on the possession or handling of firearms under federal or military regulations. Commands typically determine how these restrictions affect a service member’s duties.
Evidence can include statements, digital communications, physical markings, medical records, or witness accounts. Investigators evaluate the relevance and reliability of each item as part of the broader inquiry.
Administrative actions may run parallel to investigative or judicial processes and can address conduct concerns regardless of criminal adjudication. They may involve evaluations of suitability, performance, or compliance with military standards.
Service members may consult or retain a civilian attorney to assist with understanding processes or representing their interests. Any civilian counsel works alongside, but independently from, appointed military defense counsel.
Naval Submarine Base New London is located along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut, positioned between the communities of Groton and New London. The base sits within a maritime corridor known for its deep-water access, making it an ideal location for submarine operations on the Atlantic coast. The surrounding region features coastal terrain, moderate seasonal variations, and a long-standing naval heritage that shapes the relationship between the base and nearby towns. Local civilian communities support the installation through shipyard services, defense contracting, and housing, creating a close and enduring connection between the military and the region’s workforce.
As the Navy’s primary homeport for fast-attack submarines on the East Coast, Naval Submarine Base New London plays a central role in sustaining the operational readiness of the submarine force. The base hosts several submarine squadrons, training commands, and support activities responsible for undersea warfare preparation, maintenance, and deployment planning. Its mission focuses on ensuring submarines can deploy rapidly, train effectively in the North Atlantic environment, and maintain peak technical and operational capability.
The installation supports a substantial active-duty population composed primarily of submariners, instructors, and technical specialists. Training activity is continuous, with personnel undergoing advanced undersea warfare instruction and qualification processes. Submarines regularly depart for rotational deployments, exercises, and intelligence missions tied to national security priorities. The base’s mix of operational crews, students, and support units results in a steady rhythm of arrivals, departures, and high-tempo maintenance cycles.
Because Naval Submarine Base New London hosts deployable units and intensive training programs, service members may encounter a range of UCMJ matters, including investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, and separation proceedings. The demands of submarine readiness, long at-sea periods, and strict qualification standards can influence how legal issues arise and how commands respond. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London, providing support to those facing the challenges of the military justice system in this high-responsibility operational environment.
Yes, commanders can order separation from the home, no-contact restrictions, or base limitations pending investigation.
An MPO is a command-issued order enforceable under military law, while a civilian restraining order is issued by a court and enforced by civil authorities.
Yes, a Military Protective Order can be issued quickly and does not require charges or a court finding.
Article 31(b) requires investigators to advise you of your right to remain silent and to consult with counsel before questioning.
You are not required to speak to law enforcement or command investigators and may invoke your right to remain silent.
