New support for sexual assault victims through the court-martial process gives you one more reason to hire a strong, experienced advocate if you are facing sexual assault charges.

This past week the Army Judge Advocate General announced the development of the new United States Army Special Victim Advocate Program (SVAP).  This program created at the direction of the Secretary of Defense exists to provide legal advice and representation to victims of sexual assault throughout the military justice process.  This program is modeled after the Air Force Special Victims Counsel (SVC) program which was created about 6 months ago.  The Navy and the Coast Guard also launched similar programs recently.  In all of the services, these programs have made it so that every alleged victim has a military attorney assigned to them throughout the military justice system to represent their interests.  Under this program this will be a full time position for those attorneys.  In other words, these victims will be their one and only focus.  This could mean that these attorneys will be appearing in the courtroom on behalf of the victims and possibly arguing on behalf of the victims.  Therefore, for a servicemember accused of sexual assault, it may feel like there are three attorneys against you instead of just the two assigned as the prosecution team.  This added attorney should not scare you if you are charged with a sexual offense, however, it should convince you that you need an experienced advocate by your side.  Today’s political environment is pushing military commanders to get tougher on alleged sexual offenses.  If you or your loved one is facing or appealing court-martial charges for alleged sexual offenses, you need my help.  You must take this seriously and hire someone with experience.  Don’t wait, call now.  To speak to an experienced court-martial and military defense attorney, call Bill Cassara at 706-860-5769 for a free consultation.