Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!  To all the American military families out there, particularly those separated from each other due to military service, a very special thank you.  In the words of USMC Father Dennis O'Brien:

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THE SOLDIER

It is the soldier,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,
who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protesters to burn the flag.

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Pilgrim Edward Winslow describes the first Thanksgiving in 1621:

Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.

By:  Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://militaryadvocate.com/

Blog postscript: I (attorney Richard V. Stevens) am a former active duty military lawyer (JAG). My perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon my experience as a military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal defense lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of military law and military justice. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens for a free consultation. These military defense law offices are located in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAS ADVERSE ACTION DROPPED

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a field grade military officer represented by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had the military adverse action he faced dropped by his commander.    

Because this was an administrative case, and there are Privacy Act and service branch regulations regarding case information, specific details will be withheld.  However, this senior military officer hired attorney Richard V. Stevens, from the Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C., to represent him based on an allegation and adverse action he was facing in the military.  If this action stuck, he would not be promoted and his career progression would end.  Further, this would have impacted his eventual military retirement grade and pay.  So, despite this being an adverse action, there was a lot on the line.    

In response to the adverse action, we submitted a comprehensive rebuttal package.  This package included corroborating evidence and character letters we obtained.  In addition, the client had a personal presentation that we prepared him for, in which he presented his case to the commander.  Based on the rebuttal package and the client’s personal presentation, the commander dropped the adverse action.

While the representation in this military case was successful, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case.  No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial or case. 

For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases involving administrative disciplinary actions, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/administrative-discipline-actions/

We offer free consultations for a case you may be involved in.  Just call us. 

Thank you. 

Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://militaryadvocate.com/

Blog postscript: I (attorney Richard V. Stevens) am a former active duty military lawyer (JAG). My perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon my experience as military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal defense lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of military law and military justice. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens for a free consultation. These military defense law offices are located in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, DMV, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: MILITARY PILOT REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS HAS HIS FEB RECOMMENDATION APPROVED BY COMMAND

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a military pilot defended by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had his Flying Evaluation Board (FEB) recommendation to continue flying in his jet approved. 

The pilot faced an FEB for alleged violations of flight rules. 

Military pilots – both fixed wing and rotary wing – can face adverse actions against their authorization to fly for a variety of reasons.  Mishaps and crashes.  Alleged violations of flight rules.  Alleged safety violations.  Failure to progress in training.  In these adverse actions, the pilot could face being reassigned or even permanently grounded (disqualified from further aviation service).  In certain aggravated cases, the pilot could also face losing the right to wear their wings on their uniform. 

For military pilots, these boards go by different names.

In the Navy, it is called the Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board (FNAEB).  In the Marine Corps, it is the Field Flight Performance Board (FFPB) and Flight Status Selection Board (FSSB).  In the Air Force and Army, it is the Flying Evaluation Board (FEB).  There are also other boards for military aviation issues, depending on the type of aviation incident involved.  This includes Safety Investigation Board (SIB), Accident Investigation Board (AIB), and/or Command Directed Investigation (CDI).

A flying board in the military is a formal administrative hearing before fellow pilots in which recommendations are made about whether the respondent pilot should remain in aviation service, and whether that pilot can continue to wear his/her wings.  Based on that recommendation, the pilot could continue his/her military career, or he/she could face the loss of their flying career, military career, and be involuntarily administratively discharged from the service.

It is important to understand that after hearing all of the testimony and considering all of the evidence in the hearing, the Board members make a recommendation – which may or may not be followed.  In this FEB case, the Board members concluded that the pilot should be reinstated to continue flying his fighter aircraft.  That recommendation, however, still had to be approved by the command of the aviation community.  Thankfully, the command approved the FEB’s recommendation, which reinstated the pilot to continue flying his jet. 

While this military aviation case resulted in a positive outcome, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case.  No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial or case. 

For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases involving aviation issues and Flying Evaluation Boards, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/flying-evaluation-board/

We offer free consultations for a case you may be involved in.  Just call us. 

Thank you. 

Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://militaryadvocate.com/

Blog postscript: I (attorney Richard V. Stevens) am a former active duty military lawyer (JAG). My perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon my experience as military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal defense lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of military law and military justice. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens for a free consultation. These military defense law offices are located in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.

CIVILIAN COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER: MILITARY OFFICER REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY RICHARD V. STEVENS OVERCOMES MILITARY ALLEGATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT AND DERELICTION

 

Military Defense Lawyer (Former JAG Attorney) News:

Recently, a military officer represented by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) overcame military allegations of professional misconduct and dereliction, and found a new beginning in his civilian professional career. 

Because this was an administrative case, there are Privacy Act and service branch regulations regarding case information, so specific details will be withheld.  That said, the officer client served in the military in a career field that also required a professional license.  The officer was accused of misconduct and dereliction in the military, and the military attempted to prevent the officer from performing duties under his professional license. This was a particularly important issue because the officer was about to separate from the military, and his professional license was crucial to working in that field when he left the military.

In response to these administrative military adverse actions, we submitted several responses and appeals.  These submissions dealt with the fair application of professional standards as well as fairness in the process.  In response to our submissions, the adverse actions were put on hold and ultimately the officer separated honorably from the military.  In the civilian world, the former officer successfully retained his professional license and obtained work in that field. 

If the military adverse actions he faced had been maintained, the officer could have lost his professional license and would have had to start his career path all over again after separating from the military and despite years of schooling to obtain the professional license.      

While the representation in this military case was successful, it is important to understand that every case has different facts, and success in previous cases does not guarantee success in any particular future case.  No military lawyer or civilian defense lawyer, including those who specialize in military law, can guarantee the outcome of any military trial or case. 

For more information about the military justice system, particularly cases involving administrative disciplinary actions, see:

https://militaryadvocate.com/practice-areas/administrative-discipline-actions/

We offer free consultations for a case you may be involved in.  Just call us. 

Thank you. 

Attorney Richard V. Stevens

Civilian criminal defense lawyer and military defense lawyer

Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.

https://militaryadvocate.com/

Blog postscript: I (attorney Richard V. Stevens) am a former active duty military lawyer (JAG). My perspectives and advice, therefore, are based upon my experience as military defense lawyer and as a civilian criminal defense lawyer practicing exclusively in the area of military law and military justice. This blog addresses issues in military law, military justice, military discipline, military defense, court-martial practice, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other military and/or legal topics. Nothing posted in this blog should be substituted for legal advice in any particular case. If you seek legal advice for a particular case, please contact The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens for a free consultation. These military defense law offices are located in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, National Capital Region (NCR), but the military defense representation is worldwide – when necessary, the attorneys travel to wherever the client is stationed around the world.