Military Law
Updates and Practical advice from a civilian military defense counsel.
How to write a military character letter
Military Claims Process
Discharge Upgrade Recent Victory
Recent Naval BOI Victory in San Diego
Military Cross Examination Video
Basic Lawyer Tips Courts Martial
Cross Examination Prep for the Client
STAY IN THE BOX
WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID:
LISTEN TO THE QUESTION:
“You touched her her hand, didn’t you?- Yes
“She touched your shoulder?”- Yes
“You touched her after she touched you?” – Yes
“You asked her about her personal life, and going to a club, right?” – Yes
“You noticed she was wearing sexy clothes, right?” – NO (you may have notice she was wearing a type of clothes, but NOT SEXY) (Outside the box)
“You felt like because she was inappropriately dressed and meant you could touch her, didn’t you?” – NO
These are an example of the types of questions you might see. You will see that they are all in a “yes/no” format. It is best for you to answer truthfully, yes or no, to each of these questions. Explanation are not what we want. If we want to do that, we will do it when I come back to the stand. If I need to rehabilitate you, I will do that on redirect.
NO EMOTIONS
Video on How to Create the Discharge Upgrade Affidavit
Article 32 Transformation in the Military Sexual Assault Justice System
The system has changed. I first came into the military in 1985. As a single enlisted Soldier I had an overseas tour in Germany. The climate of the US Army was post-Vietnam era, filled with Vietnam Era problems. Drugs and Discipline were the main concerns.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault has begun to have a significant impact on all four services. The interactions of men and women have created a fairly balanced military and has brought about positive changes in the mission of the military.
There has also been significant impact on the military justice system. The changes to the Preliminary Hearing system has destroyed one of the protections for a military member. Formerly Preliminary Hearings, with a neutral military officer presiding, gave a raw picture of what the evidence would produce at trial. This type of opinion gave both the prosecution and defense a good idea of how valid the evidence would be at trial.
Now, Congress has replaced the system of real preliminary hearings with a “rubber stamp” straight to trial. The preliminary hearing officer is JAG officer that is really their to review the investigative matter. This is a documentary hearing where the prosecution rarely calls witnesses and the defense has no reason to call a witness. They don’t want their case to be seen at this point. Although the need for a preliminary hearing remains, they either need to serve a function or should be abolished as a pro forma and archaic view of justice.