Louisville Military Legal Assistance

Are you a servicemember who’s facing legal trouble in Louisville, Kentucky? The legal team at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of military law. Contact our law office at (502) 371-7000 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Louisville military defense lawyer.  

How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Provide Military Legal Assistance in Louisville

If you need military legal assistance in Louisville, KY, our law firm Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is here for you and your loved ones every step of the way. 

With more than 100 years of combined experience. We are prepared to use our skills and resources to protect your rights.

Members of our legal team have been recognized in the following ways: 

  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers
  • 10.0 Avvo rating

When you decide to hire our law firm, you get military legal assistance you can trust. A member of our team, Attorney Brentt McGee, spent a large portion of his career in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Prosecutor, Victims’ Legal Counsel, and Defense Attorney. 

You can count on our Louisville criminal defense attorneys to do the following for your case: 

  • Conduct a thorough investigation
  • Offer sound legal advice
  • Gather and analyze evidence 
  • Discuss your legal options 
  • Consult with experts
  • Ensure your rights are protected
  • Negotiate for a plea deal or seek to have the case dismissed
  • Represent you in court 

Reach out to us today for a free consultation with a seasoned Louisville criminal defense lawyer and learn more about how we can help with your case. 

Overview of Military Justice

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) provides a comprehensive list of laws that govern the military justice system. In this system, serious accusations are typically investigated by a criminal investigative agency, while the military or security police investigators investigate less serious offenses. For very minor offenses, the immediate commander of the servicemember suspected will handle the preliminary inquiry. 

Military members can face various charges, including the following: 

Rape 

A person can be convicted of rape if they commit a sexual act upon another by doing any of the following: 

  • Using unlawful force
  • Using force likely to cause death or serious bodily harm
  • Threatening or placing someone in fear that death, bodily harm, or kidnapping will occur 
  • Rendering the person unconscious
  • Administering drugs without consent 

If you are facing charges of rape, it is crucial to consult an experienced military defense attorney as soon as possible. 

Assault 

Assault charges may be brought if you are accused of doing any of the following: 

  • Attempting to do bodily harm to another 
  • Offering to do bodily harm to another 
  • Doing bodily harm to another 

Our skilled legal team can help protect your rights if you’re being charged with assault while serving in the military. 

Kidnapping

You may be charged with kidnapping if you’re accused of the following: 

  • Seizing, confining, or carrying away another person
  • Holding another person against their will 

Don’t delay reaching out for help if you’re dealing with kidnapping charges. 

Larceny 

You could face a conviction for larceny if you take, obtain, or withhold property of some value from the owner and you intend to deprive the owner of the use of the property. If you are accused of larceny, contact our law office to learn about your legal options. 

Sexual Harassment 

You could be charged with sexual harassment if you knowingly made unwelcome sexual advances, demands, or requests for sexual favors or knowingly engaged in other conduct of a sexual nature. 

Our legal team can help you navigate this difficult process if you’re accused of committing sexual harassment while serving in the military. 

Murder

Murder charges may be brought if you’re facing allegations of unlawfully killing and the following: 

  • Having a premeditated design to kill 
  • Intending to kill or inflict great bodily harm 
  • Engaging in an inherently dangerous act with a wanton disregard for human life
  • Engaging in or attempting to commit a burglary, rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, sexual abuse of a child, robbery, or aggravated arson

Murder is one of the most serious charges you can face. Consulting an experienced attorney can help ensure your rights are protected. 

Other charges that members of the military may face include the following: 

Whether you are facing minor charges or you’re accused of homicide, contacting a skilled defense attorney is critical to understanding your options and knowing how to best move forward.

What Are the Penalties for Crimes Committed While in the Military? 

Penalties for crimes committed while in the military may vary based on the offense.

The following may be ordered: 

  • A reprimand 
  • Forfeiture of pay and allowances
  • A fine 
  • Reduction in pay grade
  • Restriction to specified limits
  • Hard labor without confinement 
  • Confinement 
  • Punitive separation, including dismissal and dishonorable discharge
  • Death

In addition to facing serious punishment, being convicted of a crime while serving in the military can ruin your reputation, impact your ability to secure employment, restrict your housing options, and cause you to be financially unstable. 

What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of a Crime in the Military?

Defenses that may be raised by those accused of committing a crime while in the military may include the following: 

  • Burden of proof: The prosecution has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecution fails to meet this heavy burden, a servicemember should not be found guilty. 
  • Justification: If the alleged unlawful act was done in the course of carrying out a legal duty, your actions may be justified. 
  • Obedience to orders: If you were acting pursuant to lawful orders, it is a defense to any offense that you are accused of committing. 
  • Self-defense: In homicide or assault cases involving deadly force, it may be permissible to use force in order to protect yourself or another unless you were the aggressor or engaged in mutual combat. 
  • Accident: If you acted lawfully and a death or injury resulted unintentionally or unexpectedly, you may have a valid defense. 
  • Entrapment: This defense may be used if the suggestion to commit the crime originated within the Government and you would not have engaged in the criminal activity otherwise. 
  • Coercion or duress: Unless an innocent person was killed, you may allege that unless you participated in committing the crime, you or an innocent person would be immediately killed or suffer serious bodily injury. 
  • Inability: You may assert that through no fault of your own, you were unable to perform a duty.
  • Ignorance or mistake of fact: If you held an incorrect belief as a result of ignorance or mistake, you may have a valid defense.
  • Lack of mental responsibility: This defense may be raised if you suffered a severe mental disease or defect or were unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of your actions at the time that the alleged crime was committed.  

A dedicated Louisville military defense attorney can devise an effective strategy for your case and identify any applicable defenses to raise on your behalf. 

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Louisville Military Defense Lawyer

If you are serving in the military and have been accused of committing a crime, don’t delay seeking legal assistance. Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is prepared to offer the guidance and support you need during this undoubtedly challenging time. 

Schedule a free consultation today with a dedicated and compassionate Louisville military defense attorney.  

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