On August 25, 2017, the Department of Defense announced clarifying guidance to the Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records for Veterans who petition for either an upgrade or a correction to their discharges based on mental health conditions, such as PTSD and TBI, that existed at the time of discharge … Read more

Recently, in A.M. v. United States and Densford, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA) reviewed a claim from an alleged sexual assault victim that she was excluded from parts of the preliminary Article 32 hearing in violation of Article 6b of the UCMJ. Under Article 6b(a)(3), the alleged victim of a UCMJ offense … Read more

I just represented an E-7 at Fort Benning who was charged with numerous allegations of falsely wearing a Ranger Tab. The evidence against him was overwhelming. But we were able to mitigate his damage down to a two rank reduction. No confinement, no discharge. As he has an approved MEB (due to numerous jumps) he … Read more

The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) recently reversed an assault case in United States v. Bowen.  Airman First Class (E-3) Bowen was convicted contrary to his pleas of not guilty, by a general court martial composed of officer members, of aggravated assault of his wife and also of assault of another airman.  … Read more

In this blog series, I have discussed how servicemembers are protected by the two-tiered appellate system in the military (Part I).  I also explained that there are a few unique appellate issues that may be argued by military appellants.  In Part II of this series, I discussed the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel in … Read more

In this blog series, I have discussed how servicemembers are protected by the two-tiered appellate system in the military (Part I).  I also explained that there are a few unique appellate issues that may be argued by military appellants.  In Part II of this series, I discussed the issue of ineffective assistance of counsel in … Read more

In part I of this blog series on military appellate law, I discussed how the two-tiered appellate system works and how it provides unique protections for servicemembers appealing their court-martial results.  In part I, I also explained that servicemembers can raise unique issues on appeal.  The unique appellate issue I will discuss in this part … Read more

There used to be a day long ago where military justice was fast and furious.  Servicemembers accused of crimes might have found themselves going from accusation to conviction quickly with almost no chance to present their case.  Military justice has changed drastically for the better.  The Uniform Code of Military Justice now offers an extraordinary … Read more

Posted by: William Cassara On: October 6th, 2016 If you have just received a letter of reprimand from a commanding general or another commander, you will not have much time to respond. However, in my opinion it is important that you do.  You can ask the commander for an extension in the time he or she … Read more