Why Hiring a “Local” Lawyer is Impossible (and Dangerous)

Unlike Germany or Japan, there is practically no market for “local” U.S. civilian defense lawyers in Adana or Izmir. The few Turkish criminal lawyers available do not understand the UCMJ, and the detailed military counsel are often flying in from Germany. You are often left alone in an interrogation room with OSI or Turkish authorities.

Competitors may claim they have “global reach,” but do they understand the specific threats of the Turkish judicial system? Here is why Turkey requires elite outside counsel:

1. The “Ghost Lawyer” From Germany

In many serious Courts-Martial overseas, especially at Incirlik, the Air Force often details a military defense lawyer from Ramstein Air Base (Germany). They “represent” you remotely through Zoom calls, emails, and brief visits right before trial. They rarely walk the scene, meet witnesses in person, or understand the culture and environment where the allegations surfaced.

The Fix: Gonzalez & Waddington does not defend cases from behind a screen. When a case requires it—and if the client authorizes and covers travel—we can deploy early, walk the ground, and investigate firsthand. We locate witnesses your detailed counsel never met and examine the places where the accusation began. Our team includes Michael Waddington and Alexandra González-Waddington, both fluent in Spanish. Michael lived and studied in Spain for over six months, has worked there on multiple occasions, and lived in Puerto Rico for seven years. Alexandra is a native Puerto Rican who has lived and worked across Europe. We know the language, the customs, and the culture, which matters when building a defense overseas.

2. The Overseas Pressure Cooker

When a U.S. service member is accused of a UCMJ offense overseas, commands often overreact to protect relationships with host-nation officials. We routinely see Soldiers and Airmen punished early, restricted, or sent home before any evidence is reviewed. Commands fear headlines and political fallout, and that pressure bleeds into your case.

Our Response: We fight the command narrative immediately. We bring in translators, investigators, digital forensic experts, and cultural advisors to show how statements were twisted, mistranslated, or misreported. We challenge every assumption. Overseas allegations produce rushed judgments—our job is to stop that avalanche before it buries you.

3. When Jurisdiction Isn’t Guaranteed

Service members stationed overseas often think the U.S. will automatically handle their case. That is not always true. If a host nation claims an interest, you can be caught between two systems—one foreign, one military—while your command quietly prepares your administrative separation at the same time.

Our Strategy: We run parallel operations. We fight the UCMJ case hard while coordinating with trusted local counsel to manage any host-nation issues. We push back against commands that try to discharge you while you are dealing with a foreign investigation. You will not be left to fend for yourself.

Detailed Base-by-Base Analysis for 2026

Incirlik Air Base (The “Titan”)

The Climate: Incirlik is a “goldfish bowl.” Due to force protection levels, most personnel are restricted to base or have limited liberty. This pressure cooker environment leads to high rates of alcohol-fueled misconduct, dorm assaults, and fraternization.

The Trap: “The Alley” (when open) and the base clubs. OSI agents at Incirlik are under immense pressure to root out “insider threats” and often treat every minor infraction as a security risk.

Our Strategy: We attack the “Security Clearance Revocation” pipeline. We show that a drunken mistake is not a threat to national security. We stop the command from using your clearance as a weapon to force you out.

Izmir Air Station (NATO LANDCOM)

The Climate: Izmir is an officer-heavy NATO headquarters. The lifestyle is more integrated with the city, which increases the risk of “he-said, she-said” incidents with local nationals or other NATO troops.

The Trap: Blackmail and Scams. We frequently see cases where service members are targeted by locals in “honey trap” scams, leading to allegations of assault or theft when the member refuses to pay extortion money.

Our Strategy: We investigate the accuser. We often find that the “victim” has a history of targeting NATO personnel. We expose the scam and destroy the credibility of the government’s star witness.

Ankara (Embassy & ODC)

The Climate: High visibility. Personnel here are often Marines (MSG) or Attachés. A simple DUI or curfew violation becomes a briefing item for the Ambassador.

The Trap: “Diplomatic Inconvenience.” The State Department often pressures the military to remove “problem” service members immediately, bypassing due process.

Our Strategy: We demand a Board of Inquiry (BOI). We force the government to prove the misconduct rather than just shipping you home in disgrace. We protect your retirement and your reputation.

Gonzalez & Waddington vs. The “System” in Turkey

Critical Practice Areas in Turkey

Article 120 (Sexual Assault) in Restricted Environments

At Incirlik, where personnel live in close quarters in dorms and “base housing village,” sexual assault allegations are common.

Our Approach: We analyze the “incapacitation” theory. In a closed base environment, gossip spreads fast. We use forensic experts to analyze text messages and CCTV to reconstruct the timeline, often proving that the encounter was consensual and the accusation is fueled by regret or rumors.

Drug Offenses (Article 112a) & Turkish Law

Turkey has some of the harshest drug laws in the world. Possession of even a small amount of marijuana can lead to years in a Turkish prison.

Our Approach: If you are caught off-base, we fight to get you back to U.S. jurisdiction. If caught on-base (urinalysis), we challenge the testing procedures and the legality of the search. We fight to keep you out of a Turkish jail cell at all costs.

Customs & Black Market Violations

Service members are often accused of selling duty-free goods (alcohol, electronics) to local nationals, which is a crime in Turkey and a UCMJ violation.

Our Approach: We differentiate between “gifts” and “black marketeering.” We force the government to prove intent to profit, which is often missing in these cases.

Frequently Asked Questions (2026 Updated)

Can the U.S. military force me to stay in Turkey past my DEROS for legal action?

Yes. This is called “Legal Hold.” If you are under investigation, your command can extend your tour indefinitely until the matter is resolved. Do not sit and wait. Hire counsel immediately to push for a speedy resolution or dismissal so you can go home.

My JAG said if I fight the charges, the Turkish government might get involved. Is this true?

This is a common scare tactic used to pressure you into accepting an Article 15 or discharge. The command claims that a Court-Martial will “alert” the locals. In reality, the Turks likely already know. Giving up your rights won’t protect you; it just guarantees you lose your career.

Does Gonzalez & Waddington have translators for Turkish witnesses?

Yes. We employ professional interpreters for all interviews and trial testimony. We do not rely on the government’s translators, who often summarize or mistranslate crucial details to favor the prosecution.

Can you save my Security Clearance if I am separated?

We fight the separation and the clearance revocation simultaneously. The “Statement of Reasons” (SOR) for clearance revocation often mirrors the UCMJ charges. Winning the legal battle is the first step to saving your clearance.