Marine Corps Criminal Defense DEFENDING MILITARY MEMBERS WORLDWIDE Contact Us!

MARINE CORPS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS

Adamantly Protecting the Rights of Marines

As a Marine, you have answered the call to protect our Nation – to put your strengths to work toward a common goal. Yours is a position of honor, trust, and commitment. Unfortunately, everything you have accomplished and everything you strive to do can be jeopardized if you are accused of a military crime or conduct unbecoming of a Marine. If you are found guilty of an offense, your career, future, and freedom are at stake. That is why it is essential that you hire a criminal defense lawyer prepared to stand up for you and seek a favorable outcome in your case.

At Gary Myers, Daniel Conway and Associates, our Marine Corps defense lawyers are here to deliver the legal representation you need at every stage of your case. We have over 100 years of collective experience, and Attorneys Myers and Conway co-authored the ‘Handbook of Crimes and Defenses in the Military.’ Our team handles all types of military criminal matters worldwide and is well-versed in the complex processes of the military justice system. We have taken on a range of difficult cases and know we can endure even when things get tough. As a Marine charged with an offense, you need a team behind you prepared to provide first-class counsel. Gary Myers, Daniel Conway and Associates can be that team.

Schedule a free consultation with our Marine criminal defense attorneys by calling (833) 934-8265 or submitting an online contact form today. We are available 24/7.

Military Legal Processes Differ from Civilian Processes

Although the underlying principles of the military justice system and civilian justice system are similar – ensure that the accused answers for the alleged offense – the processes involved in resolving a legal matter differ. The Marine Corps has various options for taking action against a service member accused of a crime, including courts-martial, nonjudicial punishments, and administrative separations. A civilian lawyer without a firm background in military defense may be ill-equipped to defend a Marine facing allegations of unlawful conduct.

Because the processes differ, it is vital that you have a Marine defense lawyer by your side who is familiar with the military justice system. At Daniel Conway & Associates, our attorneys have taken on high-profile and challenging military cases. Additionally, some of our team members are former military members, and Mr. Myers served as a Captain in the JAG Corps. With our experience and knowledge, you can trust that we can provide the defense you need throughout your case.

We have handled the following types of matters:

  • Courts-martial: Nearly every offense enumerated in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) may lead to a court-martial. Various levels of courts-martial exist depending on the severity of the alleged offense. These include:
    • Summary court-martial: This process is for minor incidents.
    • Special court-martial: This process is for offenses resulting in less than 1 year of confinement.
    • General court-martial: This process is for the most serious offenses – those with a maximum penalty of 1 year or more of confinement.
  • Court-martial appeals: If a marine has been convicted, they may be entitled to or may request a review of their case, arguing that legal errors occurred affecting the outcome. Our Marine defense attorneys have presented cases in front of the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. We are prepared to challenge your conviction.
  • Separation boards: Separation board reviews concern the suitability of a Marine to continue service. Our team has handled cases involving serious misconduct, patterns of misconduct, personality disorders, homosexuality, drug use, and substandard duty performance.
  • Evaluation appeals: If a Marine receives an adverse evaluation, they could have trouble promoting or continuing their military career. Final decisions can be appealed to seek to correct administrative errors.
  • Discharge reviews: Discharge reviews can be requested when the fairness of and procedures for processing a discharge are called into question.

Whatever legal process you are going through, be sure to retain the services of a trusted and experienced defense firm like Daniel Conway & Associates.

Defending Marines Against a Wide Range of Accusations

One of the unique things about defending military members is that they can be accused of crimes that may also be civilian offenses, but they can also be accused of specifically military offenses. Thus, it is important to hire a Marine criminal defense lawyer who understands the distinct circumstances a Marine may find themselves in.

Daniel Conway & Associates has handled military criminal cases involving nearly every offense in the UCMJ.

Some of the criminal cases our Marine defense attorneys have taken on include:

  • Sexual assault: This offense involves allegations of non-consensual sexual conduct.
  • Drug offenses: A marine may be accused of a drug crime based on a urinalysis or failed drug test. As defense attorneys, we have conducted our own investigation to understand and present the science involved in these matters and cross-examine the government's expert witnesses.
  • Larceny: Theft crimes involve the unlawful taking of another's property without consent or by the use of force or deception.
  • Child pornography: A Marine can be accused of offenses such as possessing, receiving, or viewing child pornography; possessing child pornography with intent to distribute; distributing child pornography; or producing child pornography.
  • Obstruction of justice: Various acts can lead to prosecution for this crime, including interfering with administrative or criminal proceedings, encouraging a witness to renege on an accusation, intimidating a witness, misleading investigators, or tampering with or destroying evidence.
  • Desertion and AWOL: In these cases, the government attempts to prove that the Marine deserted their unit or remained absent with no intent to return or left to avoid their service or duty.
  • Failure to obey an order: Accusations for this offense may arise when a Marine violates or fails to obey lawful orders, fails to obey other lawful orders, or neglects their duties.

In addition to handling military criminal cases, our Marine Corps defense lawyers have also represented those facing military protective orders. Generally, these orders can be issued without a hearing, and they severely interfere with the Marine's life, as they are required to stay away from and not communicate with the alleged victim.

Article 31, UCMJ Rights

Although military criminal proceedings may differ from civilian processes, as a Marine, you still have the same rights afforded a civilian. It is essential that you know and understand these rights to protect yourself during a criminal case and avoid making missteps that could substantially impact the outcome.

Your article 31, UCMJ rights include:

  • The right to remain silent: As a Marine, it may be difficult to exercise this right, as you may feel the duty to cooperate with authority figures and other legal officials. While this is understandable, it is important to know that you can politely decline to make statements during a criminal investigation.
  • The right to speak with an attorney: When accused of misconduct, discuss your case with a Marine defense lawyer before talking to anyone else. Remember anything you say or do could be used as evidence against you. An attorney can advise you on what questions to answer or statements to make (if any).
  • The right to have a lawyer on your side throughout your case: Military criminal matters can be complicated, and without a background in the law, you may be at a loss for what to say or do during each stage. At every step, you can have an attorney providing the counsel and guidance you need to navigate your case.

Contact Our Marine Defense Lawyers Today

The consequences of being found guilty of a military crime are substantial. They can include reprimands, loss of rank, loss of career, confinement, fines, and wage forfeiture. Because so much is on the line, it is crucial that you discuss your case with an attorney who has experience handling complex criminal matters. Our team at Daniel Conway & Associates has the knowledge, experience, and skills to aggressively defend you.

For trustworthy legal representation throughout your case, call us at (757) 401-6365 or fill out an online contact form today.

Why Hire Daniel Conway & Associates?

  • Frequent Coverage on High-Profile Media Networks
  • Practicing Worldwide With Years of Combined Legal Experience
  • Fast Responses & Free Initial Consultations Available 24 Hours
  • Court-Martial Experience in Every Service & Every Crime
  • Daniel  Conway Photo
    Daniel Conway Partner

    For the better part of the last decade, Mr. Conway has become a nationally recognized resource on military justice. Daniel Conway is a former Marine staff sergeant and captain. He is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio and University of New Hampshire School of Law. Mr. Conway is recently a former President of the New Hampshire Bar Association Military Law Section and a current member of the DC Bar. Mr. Conway has also written a book on Military Crimes and Defenses that is near publication with a major ...

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  • Gary  Myers Photo
    Gary Myers Partner

    Gary Myers is a former JAG officer and one of the most experienced civilian military defense counsel in the country. He attended the University of Delaware where he received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in 1965. Gary Myers served as president of his freshman, sophomore and junior classes and went on in his senior year to be president of the student body. Gary Myers then attended the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, and graduated in 1968. Gary Myers paid his way through law school by ...

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  • Brian  Pristera Photo
    Brian Pristera Attorney

    A Richmond, Virginia native, Mr. Pristera graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After spending some time as a DuPont engineer, specifically working on Kevlar manufacturing and ballistics applications, Mr. Pristera attended law school at the University of New Hampshire. On July 4, 2010, Mr. Pristera was commissioned in the U.S. Army in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Mr. Pristera spent almost six years on active duty. He spent just over three of those years in criminal defense, ...

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  • Joseph  Galli Photo
    Joseph Galli Attorney

    Originally from Portland, Maine, Mr. Galli attended Elmira College in New York on a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship. At Elmira, he double majored in Business Administration and Public Affairs. Mr. Galli graduated from Elmira College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Mr. Galli began his study of the law in 2009 at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. There, he focused on litigation and honed his advocacy skills as a member of the Advanced Trial ...

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