Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale Military Defense Lawyers – UCMJ Attorneys
Table Contnet
Gonzalez & Waddington are civilian military defense lawyers representing service members stationed at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale in UCMJ investigations, court-martial cases, and administrative actions. Their practice is exclusively focused on military justice, providing worldwide defense in matters involving CID, NCIS, and OSI.
Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale has served for decades as a key operational point for maritime safety and security along South Florida’s heavily trafficked waterways. Its history reflects the broader evolution of Coast Guard operations in the region, shifting from foundational search and rescue responsibilities to a more diversified portfolio of missions tied to modern coastal demands and emerging national security priorities.
The station’s mission centers on search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, port security, and support to coastal patrol operations. Its operational tempo is consistently high due to the dense maritime environment surrounding Fort Lauderdale, frequent recreational boating activity, and the Coast Guard’s requirement for rapid response capability. Service members routinely balance training, watchstanding, maintenance, and readiness tasks, often in tight timelines and dynamic conditions. The base also supports specialized functions such as small boat operations, boarding team deployment, and marine safety enforcement.
Major organizational elements at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale typically include operational boat forces, maritime response personnel, administrative and logistics support elements, and training functions necessary to keep crews qualified and mission-ready. These groups work in close coordination with sector-level command structures and other regional Coast Guard resources to sustain continuous operational coverage.
Legal issues at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale can escalate quickly due to operational tempo and command dynamics.
Military Defense Lawyers Serving Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale: If you or a loved one are stationed at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and facing a military investigation, court-martial, Article 15 or NJP, administrative separation, Board of Inquiry, or other adverse military action, early legal intervention matters.
Gonzalez & Waddington are experienced civilian military defense lawyers who represent service members worldwide, including those assigned to Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. Our firm focuses on defending clients against serious UCMJ charges, administrative actions, and career-threatening investigations across all branches of the armed forces.
Speak directly with a military defense lawyer today. Call Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607 to discuss your case and protect your rights, career, and future.
Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale conducts maritime law enforcement, port security, and search and rescue in a high-traffic, high-visibility region.
Public-facing operations increase scrutiny. Allegations involving use of authority, alcohol, or off-duty conduct often escalate quickly.
Gonzalez & Waddington defends Coast Guard members at Station Fort Lauderdale in courts-martial and administrative proceedings.
If you are under investigation at Station Fort Lauderdale, call Gonzalez & Waddington at 1-800-921-8607.
Visibility magnifies consequences. Act early.
Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, along the Atlantic coast in the southeastern part of the state. The station sits within Broward County and operates in a metropolitan coastal environment characterized by busy waterways and year‑round marine activity. It is positioned near established residential and commercial areas that closely border the waterfront.
The surrounding civilian communities include various neighborhoods within Fort Lauderdale and nearby coastal municipalities that interact frequently with the station’s presence. Local businesses, marinas, and port facilities form part of the broader community network that supports maritime operations in the region. The area’s dense coastal setting influences both the station’s mission and its engagement with the public.
Service members assigned to Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale face significant UCMJ and administrative exposure due to the unit’s operational demands, command scrutiny, and the investigative posture typical of Coast Guard law enforcement. Even a single allegation can trigger parallel criminal inquiries and career-threatening administrative consequences.
The following offenses represent some of the most serious and commonly charged criminal allegations affecting service members at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, often investigated aggressively by military law enforcement.
These cases often hinge on credibility disputes, digital evidence, consent issues, or third-party reporting, and early missteps can permanently affect both criminal exposure and military careers.
How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends These Cases: Gonzalez & Waddington is nationally recognized for defending serious UCMJ felony-level allegations, including sexual assault, child-related offenses, domestic violence, and complex digital investigations. The firm focuses on early intervention, evidence control, strategic defense planning, and protecting service members from cascading criminal and administrative consequences.
Even when criminal charges are not immediately filed, commands at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale frequently initiate parallel administrative actions that can end a career.
These actions often rely on lower standards of proof and can move quickly once initiated, placing service members at a disadvantage without experienced counsel.
Strategic Administrative Defense by Gonzalez & Waddington: Gonzalez & Waddington routinely defends service members facing adverse administrative actions, separation boards, and command investigations. The firm understands how criminal allegations, administrative proceedings, and command decisions intersect and works to protect rank, benefits, clearance eligibility, and long-term career options.
At Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, investigations often escalate faster than service members expect, making early understanding of exposure and experienced civilian military defense counsel critical.
When you’re notified of a UCMJ investigation, your decisions early on affect both the direction of the inquiry and your potential exposure. You are not required to answer investigator questions, and statements made without legal guidance can be used to support charges such as dereliction of duty, false statements, or conduct offenses. An investigation alone can affect advancement, assignments, and clearances. A civilian military defense lawyer can help you understand the allegations, manage interactions with investigators, and protect your rights. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law assist service members with UCMJ investigations at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and worldwide.
An Article 32 hearing is a critical step because it determines whether your case proceeds to a general court-martial. This hearing allows presentation of evidence, cross-examination of witnesses, and legal arguments that can shape the entire case. Waiting to get counsel or relying solely on informal advice can limit your ability to challenge the government’s evidence. Civilian counsel can conduct a deeper case review and coordinate with your military counsel. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law represent service members facing Article 32 hearings at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and in global military courts.
An administrative separation board can lead to discharge, loss of benefits, and long-term impacts on civilian employment. Misconduct findings do not require the same burden of proof as a court-martial, so early preparation is important. You have the right to counsel, to review evidence, and to present witnesses, but these rights are harder to use effectively if you wait until the board date. A civilian attorney can help examine the evidence, prepare your case, and guide you through the process. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law handle separation boards and adverse actions for Coast Guard personnel, including those stationed at Fort Lauderdale.
Yes. A civilian lawyer licensed to practice before military courts may represent you at summary, special, or general courts-martial. Civilian representation can support case strategy, motions practice, and evidence challenges that may influence the outcome. Court-martial convictions can result in confinement, punitive discharge, loss of pay, and clearance issues, so early legal involvement matters. You may retain civilian counsel in addition to your appointed military attorney. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law defend court-martial cases for service members at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and across all branches.
Speaking without counsel can unintentionally waive rights or provide statements that appear inconsistent, incomplete, or self-incriminating. Even informal conversations with supervisors or CGIS can influence how allegations are framed under the UCMJ. These statements may be used in investigations, Article 32 hearings, or administrative boards, and they can affect clearance reviews. A civilian military defense lawyer can help you determine when to remain silent and how to respond appropriately. Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law advise Coast Guard members on managing communications during investigations at Fort Lauderdale and other duty stations.
Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale has long served as a key operational site for the U.S. Coast Guard along Florida’s southeastern coastline. Over the decades, its mission has evolved in response to shifting maritime security priorities, regional population growth, and increased commercial and recreational traffic. The station has continually adapted its capabilities to meet emerging operational demands while maintaining its core focus on maritime safety and security.
The station’s primary mission includes search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, port security, and environmental protection across a busy and strategically important stretch of the Atlantic. Its operational tempo is generally high due to dense vessel traffic, frequent recreational boating activity, and the need for rapid response to offshore incidents. Training, readiness drills, and coordinated operations with local, state, and federal partners are routine aspects of daily life for personnel assigned to the station.
Major elements at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale typically include operational boat crews, command-and-control staff, maintenance and logistics personnel, and specialized teams supporting law enforcement and response operations. These groups work together to maintain continuous readiness for missions ranging from emergency rescues to complex interdiction and safety enforcement activities.
Legal issues at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale can escalate quickly due to the station’s operational tempo and the pressures inherent in its mission.
