Orlando Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal case, yet its findings can seriously impact a service member’s career in Orlando. CDI results may escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or even court‑martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide guidance on these processes. 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.
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 can occur without a court-martial when the command believes certain misconduct or performance issues warrant review. This process is separate from the military justice system and follows its own procedures. It focuses on a member’s suitability for continued service rather than criminal guilt.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing designed to determine whether a member should be retained or separated. Nonjudicial Punishment is a disciplinary tool used by commanders to address minor misconduct without a formal hearing. The two processes can occur independently and serve different purposes.
The burden of proof at a Board of Inquiry is typically based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. This means the board evaluates whether the allegations are more likely true than not. The board members use this standard to decide whether misconduct occurred and whether separation is appropriate.
A Board of Inquiry is usually composed of three commissioned officers. At least one member should be of the same or higher grade than the service member being reviewed. These officers are responsible for hearing evidence and making findings.
The board may review documents, service records, witness statements, and testimony. Both the government and the service member may present materials for consideration. The board evaluates the totality of the evidence to reach its findings.
A Board of Inquiry can impact whether a service member continues service long enough to reach retirement eligibility. The board’s findings may influence a member’s ability to stay in the military. Any separation decision can have downstream effects on retirement-related benefits.
The board reviews the nature of the allegations, service record, and overall performance. These factors help the board determine whether a discharge should be Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable. The characterization reflects how the board views the member’s service as a whole.
Service members are generally permitted to retain a civilian attorney at their own expense for representation at a Board of Inquiry. The civilian lawyer may assist with presenting evidence and questioning witnesses. Their role operates alongside any assigned military counsel.
Orlando sits in central Florida, positioned between the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and connected by major corridors like I‑4 and the Florida Turnpike. Its proximity to cities such as Kissimmee, Winter Park, and Sanford shapes the daily interaction between military personnel and surrounding civilian communities.
The region’s subtropical climate, steady weather patterns, and inland terrain support year‑round training and technical operations. These conditions allow military activities to proceed with fewer disruptions compared to coastal areas more prone to storms.
Orlando hosts a significant joint-service footprint focused on simulation, training, and advanced technology development. Units assigned here often coordinate with civilian research institutions and defense contractors clustered around the city.
Mission priorities center on developing, testing, and supporting training systems used across the armed forces. These organizations contribute to operational readiness by providing tools and expertise that impact worldwide training pipelines.
The population includes a mix of active duty personnel, technical specialists, instructors, and rotating students. Activity levels vary throughout the year as training cycles bring in additional personnel for short‑term assignments.
Local commands support simulation research, acquisition programs, training development, and mission support functions. Some groups maintain ties to deployable units elsewhere, contributing to global readiness through technology rather than direct operational output.
Because the area hosts training, research, and transient personnel, service members may face UCMJ matters linked to both on‑site duties and travel‑related assignments. Investigations, administrative actions, and courts‑martial can arise as personnel move through demanding technical and academic programs.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed in or passing through Orlando. Their work supports individuals navigating UCMJ processes connected to the region’s unique operational and training environment.
Orlando sits in central Florida, positioned between the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast, with nearby communities such as Winter Park, Kissimmee, and Lake Nona forming an interconnected metropolitan area. The region’s flat terrain, subtropical climate, and extensive transportation network make it a hub for year‑round training, simulation development, and joint-service collaboration. Orlando’s proximity to major civilian research institutions, including the University of Central Florida and a dense cluster of defense contractors, has created a unique ecosystem where military activities integrate closely with local technology, modeling, and simulation industries. This environment supports rapid innovation and provides service members with access to robust community resources.
Orlando hosts a specialized military presence centered on advanced training, simulation, and acquisition programs. Commands representing the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force operate within the region through organizations focused on developing training systems, evaluating emerging technologies, and supporting operational readiness across the force. Rather than functioning as a traditional operational base, the Orlando military community plays a vital role in shaping training standards used across the services, contributing to joint readiness and the development of next-generation warfighting capabilities.
The active-duty population in Orlando is smaller than that of large operational installations but is highly specialized. Personnel include officers, enlisted members, civilians, and contractors who support training system acquisition, instructional development, aviation simulation, and mission rehearsal tools used in worldwide deployments. The area regularly hosts rotational training events, technology demonstrations, and interagency collaboration, creating a steady operational rhythm tied to program deadlines, system testing, and fleet support requirements.
Because Orlando’s missions involve joint-service activity, frequent travel, and high-tempo project cycles, service members stationed or temporarily assigned here may encounter UCMJ matters. These can include command investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings arising from workplace issues, training environments, or travel-related incidents. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Orlando, providing support when legal challenges emerge within this unique operational and technological setting.
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Yes, statements made during a CDI are often included in the investigative report and can be used in later administrative or criminal proceedings.
Yes, a CDI can escalate into a court-martial if the findings support criminal charges under the UCMJ. Commands may refer the case for prosecution after review.
The standard of proof is administrative, typically a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not. This is much lower than the criminal standard.
Yes, while a CDI itself does not impose punishment, its findings can lead to NJP, Letters of Reprimand, court-martial charges, or administrative separation.
The investigation is conducted by an appointed Investigating Officer, usually another service member, who is tasked with gathering facts and reporting findings to the command.
