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We often get questions about making false statements and the legality of searches, among others. Here are answers to two popular questions. Q. Why do false statements – made before or during a court-martial – cause so much trouble? A. Making a false statement is a separate crime for which you can, and most likely … Read more

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Over the course of my career as a military lawyer, I have assisted a number of service members in all branches of the military who faced a court-martial for desertion, or for otherwise being absent without authority with the intention of leaving the military. Understandably, these are challenging cases. The military’s argument is that it … Read more

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Mr. Cassara represented a reserve Army Officer at Fort Gillem, Georgia who was facing a Show Cause Board for alleged misconduct.  At the conclusion of the hearing the officer will be allowed to retire with an Honorable Discharge. If you need an experienced Military Lawyer, contact Mr. Cassara at 706-860-5769  

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Mr. Cassara represented a civilian DOD employee whose top secret clearance was suspended and then revoked for alleged misconduct while deployed overseas.  An AR 15-6 Investigation supported the allegations.  After Mr. Cassara filed a detailed, point by point rebuttal to the revocation of clearance, the civilian employee’s clearance was reinstated and he is now back … Read more

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My good friend and fellow civilian defense counsel Charlie Gittins has announced his retirement from defending service members at courts-martial and appeal.  Mr. Gittins was a tenacious advocate for his clients and will be missed.  Charlie’s complaints about the court-martial system are not without merit.  Courts-martial are serious matters and if you are pending a … Read more

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The Army Court of Criminal Appeals recently affirmed a soldier’s court-martial conviction because their counsel failed to properly observe an issue at trial.  In United States v. Shaw the ACCA held that when a lawyer makes a particular objection at trial, the accused cannot later object on different grounds. In this case, the appellant wanted … Read more

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The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces reversed a court-martial conviction finding that the convicted airman’s civilian and military counsel did not effectively represent him.  Most importantly, the CAAF found that the lawyers’ performance was deficient when they did not research whether the charge to which their client was pleading guilty at court-martial would … Read more

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If you are the spouse of a service member, your right to remain silent is different from that of the service member. The authorities only have to advise the spouse of the right to remain silent and have an attorney present if they are suspected of having committed an offense and are held in custody. … Read more

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Mr. Cassara represented an Army Master Sergeant who was suspected of fraternization with a fellow soldier.  An investigation was conducted, and Mr. Cassara drafted a rebuttal on the soldier’s behalf.  The end result was that the allegation was not substantiated and the case was closed. This allows the soldier to continue on with his career. … Read more

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Mr. Cassara represented a Command Sergeant Major who was given a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand for allegedly shipping items illegally from a deployed environment.  This action also caused the Army to propose a rank reduction, as the Army claimed he would not have been promoted if the Army knew of his alleged misconduct.  After … Read more