Clarksville Court-Martial Lawyer

Clarksville Court-Martial Attorney

Court-martial cases are taken very seriously, sometimes involving serious risks to national security. If you’re facing charges at the military level, it’s imperative that you understand your legal rights and options, as well as what to expect from the legal proceedings to come. An experienced Clarksville court-martial lawyer can help you keep your head on straight and provide hands-on support through every stage of your case.

Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, brings decades of combined criminal law experience to the table. Moreover, our founding attorney was a U.S. Marine before he became a lawyer, giving him invaluable experience that helps us help other service members.

About Court-Martial Cases in Tennessee

The U.S. military comprises approximately 2.07 million active military personnel and 788,470 civilian members, so it makes sense that they have their own set of laws. Approximately 87.4 percent of active-duty members are located in the United States or U.S. Territories. Even so, military members typically operate outside of civilian laws.

Instead of handling crimes under state and federal laws, they use a military legal system to handle offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). A court-martial refers to the process of trying service members who are accused of breaking military law.

The Army is the largest branch with 449,344 active-duty personnel reported in 2023. Clarksville is home to Fort Campbell, which is one of the largest Army bases in the country. Comprising 93,000 acres, multiple large lakes, and about 453 miles of streams, Fort Campbell is home to around 241,910 people, including 30,113 active military members and approximately 51,480 family members.

Our team at Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, has experience navigating countless cases involving people stationed at Fort Campbell. We’re familiar with navigating legal processes here and can help you prepare for what is to come throughout your case.

It can be daunting facing a court-martial, no matter the circumstances. That’s why it’s recommended to secure legal representation from an attorney who understands court-martial laws.

Our Clarksville, TN court-martial lawyers at Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, have years of experience navigating general courts-martials (GCMs) and special courts-martials (SPCMs). We’re confident we can help you understand your legal options and work toward a fair outcome in your case.

General Courts-Martial Vs. Special Courts-Martial Vs. Summary Courts-Martial

If you’re involved in a court-martial case in Tennessee, it’s important to know your legal rights and options. This starts with understanding the type of court-martial you’re facing and how Tennessee courts handle it. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team can help you understand the differences between the three main types of courts-martial:

• General Courts-Martial: GCMs are the most serious type of court-martial and have the broadest jurisdiction to try all offenses under the UCMJ. These courts typically try cases for offenses that significantly threaten national security or general military order.
• Special Courts-Martial: SPCMs are reserved for issuing lesser punishments for less serious criminal offenses. It’s similar to being charged with a misdemeanor in a civilian court. Court-martial cases seen in these courts typically involve offenses like assault, larceny, or drug-related crimes.
• Summary Courts-Martial: This is the least serious type of court-martial and serves as a simplified process for handling military disciplinary matters. You can expect a summary court-martial in cases for minor incidents involving acts like failure to obey orders, misconduct, or petty theft.

No matter the type of court-martial you face, it’s imperative that you understand how to protect yourself and build a strong case against your charges. The good news is you don’t have to do any of it on your own. In addition to helping you understand the nature of your charges, our Clarksville court-martial attorneys can evaluate your situation, launch their own investigation, and build a strong defense to present to the prosecution.

Potential Penalties for Court-Martial Cases in Clarksville

The severity of your punishment when convicted under a court-martial is going to vary depending on the type of court-martial and the details of your specific case. Potential penalties can include:

• Bad conduct discharge
• Confinement
• Dishonorable discharge
• Fines
• Forfeiture of pay
• Reduction in rank

In the most serious cases involving capital offenses, you can even be sentenced to death. It can be daunting facing a court-martial, no matter the severity of the offense. That’s why it’s highly recommended to work with a Clarksville court-martial attorney to build a strong defense against your charges.

Our Local Clarksville, TN, Court-Martial Lawyers

Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, brings years of military law experience to the table that we’re ready to use to help with your court-martial case. Our team is led by head attorney Michael Thompson, who was a member of the United States Marine Corps himself. We have comprehensive knowledge of military legal procedures and are comfortable defending clients in all types of courts-martial cases in Clarksville.

Since we’re licensed in Tennessee courts and federal courts alike, we can provide honest, aggressive representation at any level. After we evaluate your case, we can launch our own investigation into the prosecution and start gathering evidence to build a strong defense against your charges. Plus, we take the time to let you know what is going on to ensure you’re not left in the dark at any point throughout the process.

Hire a Court-Martial Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in More Detail

If you’re facing a court-martial, it’s imperative that you act quickly to protect yourself. These cases involve going up against federal military law, which can be a daunting prospect. You can expect them to come at you with all the power and resources they have available. That’s why it’s important for you to be prepared, too, by contacting a local attorney.

The experienced Clarksville court-martial lawyer at Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, can help you understand your rights and legal options and ensure you avoid making any mistakes throughout the legal process. We work with you to help you secure the fairest possible outcome. Contact our office to set up a consultation and learn more from a team member today.