May 6, 2025 | Military Assistance

Legal Assistance for Service Members and Families

Service members and their families often face legal situations that are different from those in civilian life. Military duty can bring sudden deployments, relocations, or changes in family dynamics, all of which can add extra stress to already challenging problems. 

For defendants facing criminal accusations, these pressures can quickly become overwhelming, especially when military rules and civilian laws seem to overlap or conflict. That’s why it helps to have a lawyer who understands the unique demands of military life and how criminal cases are handled in and out of uniform.  

Navigating legal issues as a service member can be complicated. Because military life is so different, legal problems can quickly become overwhelming. Common legal issues faced by service members include:

Military Criminal Defense 

Anyone serving in the military can face situations like court-martial, non-judicial punishment (NJP), or other disciplinary actions. Common issues might include accusations of abandoning duty (AWOL), insubordination, drug-related offenses, or even DUI. 

Legal help is important because the rules and procedures are very different compared to civilian court, with career and military benefits often hanging in the balance.

Family Law Matters

Divorce, child custody, and visitation arrangements get even more difficult when regular moves or deployments are part of the picture. Deployments can interrupt visitation schedules or affect decisions about child support and custody. Military families need guidance to set up arrangements and to adjust agreements as necessary.

Veterans’ Benefits and Disability Claims 

When service leads to injury or illness, getting the right support from the VA can be difficult. Filing for benefits or compensation involves paperwork, deadlines, and sometimes appeals if a claim is denied. Legal help can make it easier to navigate the VA system and increase the chances of securing what’s deserved.

Employment and Military Service 

Returning to a civilian job after military duty or dealing with workplace issues can be complicated. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) gives protections to service members, but securing a job after deployment or dealing with discrimination sometimes requires a fight. 

Legal assistance can help make sure those rights are enforced and job security isn’t lost because of military service. 

Service members and their loved ones deserve support that recognizes the realities of military life and the difficulties of returning to living as a civilian. 

Facing criminal charges as a member of the military can have a long-lasting impact on your life and career. Getting the right legal help is crucial no matter where the charges are filed. 

The Importance of Criminal Defense Representation 

Being accused of a crime, whether in military or civilian court, is a serious matter for any service member. A conviction can do more than just land you in jail – it might also lead to a dishonorable discharge, which can affect your benefits, reputation, and future job options. An experienced defense lawyer can give you a chance to protect your military career and civilian life.

Service members have access to legal help through Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who handle cases within the military justice system. JAGs are knowledgeable about military rules and procedures, and they can provide guidance and courtroom representation if you’re facing charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). 

Sometimes, military members must answer to charges in civilian court or face overlapping legal issues. In these situations, hiring a civilian criminal defense lawyer is often essential. It’s especially important to work with someone who understands both military and civilian law because the two systems can overlap in complicated ways. 

A lawyer who has handled military cases before knows what’s at stake and how to coordinate a defense that looks after your rights both inside and outside the military.

If you have any questions about getting help for yourself or your family, reach out to a criminal defense lawyer today for help. 

For more information, contact the military legal assistance attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (502) 371-7000 or visit us at our Louisville Law Office.

Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Louisville
214 Clay Street, Suite A,
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 371-7000