Aggressive Peterson AFB Civilian Defense Attorney
Home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Peterson Air Force Base is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This installation shares an airfield with the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport and has been operated by the United States Air Force since 1942. If you have been charged with a crime while serving at Peterson Air Force Base, contact attorney and retired military judge Patrick J. McLain right away.
Reach Out to a Peterson AFB Civilian Defense Counsel
Regardless of the charges against you, a conviction is never a given. You have the right to fight back against these charges, and with the help of the right legal counsel, you could avoid a conviction entirely.
To learn more about your options, contact attorney and retired military judge Patrick J. McLain at (888) 606-3385.
Military Justice at Peterson AFB
Following an alleged violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), you could face discipline through two different processes: nonjudicial punishment or trial by court-martial.
Nonjudicial Punishment
Nonjudicial punishment – informally known as Article 15 in the Air Force – is an administrative proceeding. Because it is not a criminal hearing, a conviction will not be reflected on your permanent record. That does not mean the consequences you face are not severe, however.
An NJP is overseen by your commanding officer as opposed to a military judge. While you have the right to appeal an unfavorable decision, the appeal will be heard up the chain of command instead of by an appellate court.
When it comes to Article 15, you have an important decision to make. You are entitled to reject an NJP and have your case heard at trial by court-martial. That decision can be risky, as the penalties associated with a court-martial are more severe. However, a court-martial could make sense if you are concerned about getting a fair shake with your commanding officer. You should always discuss your case with experienced civilian defense counsel before you reject or accept NJP.
Court-Martial
A trial by court-martial differs from NJP as it is a formal criminal proceeding. That means a conviction will wind up on your permanent criminal record. What's more, the prospective penalties are higher than with an NJP.
At trial, the rules are enforced by a military judge. If you are convicted, you have the right to have your case heard by an appellate court. In fact, some types of cases trigger appellate review automatically. You have the right to hire the civilian defense attorney of your choice during every stage of the court-martial process.
WHY CHOOSE THE LAW OFFICE OF PATRICK J. MCLAIN?
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Former Federal Prosecutor & Military JudgeAttorney Patrick J. McLain's years of experience across the aisle provide him with a unique perspective.
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Over Two Decades in the U.S. Marine Corps
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Our Firm is Top-Rated & Award-Winning
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Over 3,500 Cases Successfully Handled
Common Offenses at Peterson AFB
If you are alleged to have violated the UCMJ, you could face either NJP or a trial by court-martial. Some offenses are more likely to result in a court-martial than others, however. Common charges are provided below.
Common NJP Offenses
- Unauthorized absence (AWOL)
- Drunk on duty
- Fraternization
- Violation of orders
- Destroying government property
Common Court-Martial Offenses
Potential Penalties
Common penalties in an NJP or a trial by court-martial are similar. In either proceeding, you could face extra duties, restriction, loss of pay, and loss of rank. In addition to these penalties, a court-martial could lead to stiffer penalties like confinement or a punitive discharge.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
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"The best lawyer to defend military personnel."The Law Office of Patrick J. McLain helped me through the most difficult experience in my life. As a Marine Officer facing an upcoming board of inquiry for conduct issues, I was afraid of losing my career. Attorney McLain gave great legal advice through the process and reached out many times to see how I was doing. A great lawyer and better person, Mr. McLain helped me become successful in my board of inquiry and keep moving forward in my career. His military experience and personal qualities make him the best lawyer to defend military personnel.- Jonathan
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"Made me feel like the most important client."They completely cared, took my case personally, always made me feel like the most important client, and were knowledgeable on all subjects. I give the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC the highest rating possible and totally recommend them.- Mike
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"Amazing lawyer who fights for you!"A tremendous lawyer in a time of need. After being accused of conduct unbecoming an officer for personal conduct while off duty, I hired Mr. McLain to help me through the process. He diligently worked behind the scenes to make sure my voice was being heard. Despite my inability to listen to his direction early on, Mr. Mclain was patient and continued to fight on my behalf. Mr. McLain helped me win at a board of inquiry with no other disciplinary action. A sincere man, who is dedicated to his clients. Would strongly recommend and is a great asset to military clients everywhere.- Former Client
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"I won my military case due to his diligence, knowledge and experience in military law."
I cannot recommend Patrick highly enough. I won my military case due to his diligence, knowledge and experience in military law. Had I proceeded on my own, I would have lost, for the process was simply too complex. When working with Patrick, there was never a time when I felt left in the dark on my case, nor a time when his assessments and instructions were unclear. Should you be in any difficult circumstance, Patrick will work his tail off for you and keep you clearly informed on the status of your case. Again, I highly recommend the services of Patrick McLain.
- Dan C. -
"He is a hard worker and will fight for you the moment you choose him to be on your team!"
My husband hired Patrick for his summary court martial and Patrick and his team were there every step of the way. They communicated everything they needed and were even there when either me or my husband had any questions. He is a hard worker and will fight for you the moment you choose him to be on your team!
- Angela -
"Thanks to him I am now able to get on with my life."
It took some time to make it happen, but it did just like Patrick said, he is a hard charging guy that can help you get what you deserve, Thanks to him I am now able to get on with my life.
- Chip -
"Amazing strength and integrity with the combination of experience, insight, and knowledge of military law."
I have found my lawyer Patrick McLain, to be honest, right to the point, consistently giving me realistic outcomes through the whole process of my case. He's definitely no nonsense, cut to the chase. As a client…I've never been left hanging; he makes sure all my correspondence is returned. He's got amazing strength and integrity with the combination of experience, insight, and knowledge of military law. He stands behind his words and expects the same in return. I say my blessings every day for him taking my case. With him as my attorney, I've achieved best possible outcomes.
- Gina F. -
"I was entirely impressed with mclain’s work on my case."
I called McLain when the military charged me with some B.S., McLain immediately jumped into action and made things happen in my favor. Don't do it alone … your military chain of command will try to make you think that your cooperation will help you, it will NOT. I was entirely impressed with McLain's work on my
- Chris C.
STAY UP TO DATE
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Understanding the Different Types of Court-Martials: Summary, Special, and General -
Military Appeals: Process and Tips for a Successful Appeal
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Navigating a Court-Martial: What to Expect and How to Prepare
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