[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"site-search-modal-empty-8":171,"page:faq/military-cases":173,"public-chat-settings":260},{"source":4,"siteName":5,"tagline":6,"contactEmail":7,"contactPhone":8,"contactPhoneTollFree":9,"address":10,"mapsQuery":17,"ratingValue":18,"ratingSource":19,"primaryCta":20,"secondaryCta":23,"chatCta":26,"announcement":30,"google":32,"navigationPrimary":34,"navigationLegal":149},"defaults","Stephen D Aarons","Santa Fe Criminal Defense Lawyer","info@aarons.law","(505) 984-1100","(888) 984-1120",{"street":11,"city":12,"state":13,"stateFullName":14,"zip":15,"full":16},"2019 Galisteo St. Ste H1","Santa Fe","NM","New Mexico","87505","2019 Galisteo Street, Suite H1, Santa Fe, NM 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Use","/terms",[],{"id":162,"group":152,"label":163,"path":164,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":137,"children":165},"legal-3","Disclaimer","/disclaimer",[],{"id":167,"group":152,"label":168,"path":169,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":143,"children":170},"legal-4","Accessibility","/accessibility",[],{"query":19,"total":18,"results":172},[],{"source":4,"slug":174,"title":175,"status":176,"seoTitle":177,"seoDescription":178,"ogImage":19,"sections":179},"faq/military-cases","Military Cases | Stephen D Aarons","published","Military Criminal Defense | Stephen D Aarons","Criminal defense for military members in New Mexico.",[180,188,195,217,252],{"id":181,"type":181,"displayOrder":40,"payload":182},"hero",{"eyebrow":19,"title":183,"description":184,"primaryCtaLabel":21,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":185,"secondaryCtaUrl":186,"imageUrl":19,"variant":187},"Military Cases","Military criminal cases operate under a legal system that is separate from civilian courts, with unique rules, procedures, and consequences. Service members accused of misconduct may face courts-martial, administrative separation, loss of rank, confinement, or a punitive discharge. Understanding your rights and options early is critical to protecting both your freedom and your military career.","Browse FAQ Topics","/faq","compact",{"id":189,"type":190,"displayOrder":131,"payload":191},"disclaimer","rich_text",{"eyebrow":19,"title":192,"paragraphs":193},"Important",[194],"This is general information, not legal advice. If you have an active warrant or an arrest happened recently, call the office as soon as possible.",{"id":196,"type":197,"displayOrder":137,"payload":198},"what-to-do","feature_grid",{"eyebrow":199,"title":19,"description":19,"items":200},"What to do first",[201,205,209,213],{"label":202,"title":203,"description":204},"Do not discuss","Do not discuss the allegations casually","Statements made to command, investigators, or peers can later be used against you, even if you believe the conversation is informal.",{"label":206,"title":207,"description":208},"Invoke counsel","Invoke your right to counsel immediately","You have the right to speak with a military defense attorney and may also consult civilian counsel experienced in military law.",{"label":210,"title":211,"description":212},"Preserve evidence","Preserve evidence and records","Text messages, emails, duty rosters, medical records, and witness information may become critical to your defense.",{"label":214,"title":215,"description":216},"Act early","Act early — timing matters","Military cases move quickly. Early decisions can affect charge referral, discharge options, and long-term career consequences.",{"id":218,"type":218,"displayOrder":143,"payload":219},"faq",{"eyebrow":220,"title":19,"description":19,"items":221},"Common questions",[222,225,228,231,234,237,240,243,246,249],{"question":223,"answer":224},"What are military courts?","Military criminal cases are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ establishes three types of courts-martial: summary, special, and general. Each differs in structure, procedural safeguards, and potential punishment. All courts-martial require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and the Military Rules of Evidence apply in every classification.",{"question":226,"answer":227},"Can I hire a civilian lawyer for a military case?","Yes. Service members have the right to hire civilian counsel at their own expense. However, it is important that the civilian attorney has experience handling military cases. Courts-martial differ significantly from civilian courts in procedure, culture, and command influence, and inexperience in military law can disadvantage the defense.",{"question":229,"answer":230},"How does hiring civilian counsel work in a court-martial?","In Special and General Courts-Martial, a military defense attorney from Trial Defense Service (TDS) will be appointed at no cost. Many accused service members choose to retain civilian counsel while keeping the assigned military lawyer as part of the defense team. Military defense attorneys often have valuable insight into the military judge, prosecutors, command structure, and recent handling of similar cases. Civilian counsel may bring additional trial experience and strategic perspective. Used together, this combination can be effective.",{"question":232,"answer":233},"Can I keep my military lawyer and also hire civilian counsel?","Yes. Unlike civilian courts, military law allows an accused to have both a civilian attorney and a military defense attorney at the same time. The military lawyer remains assigned at no personal expense, while civilian counsel serves as lead or co-counsel depending on strategy. This arrangement often provides the benefit of both institutional knowledge and outside advocacy.",{"question":235,"answer":236},"What is a summary court-martial?","A summary court-martial is the least severe form of court-martial and is presided over by a single commissioned officer. Punishments are limited and depend on the accused's rank. For enlisted members E-1 through E-4, penalties may include reduction in rank, confinement for up to one month, forfeiture of pay, restriction, or hard labor. A defense attorney is not appointed, though the accused may hire civilian counsel. You have the right to refuse a summary court-martial. If refused, the command may refer the case to a Special Court-Martial instead.",{"question":238,"answer":239},"What is a special court-martial?","A special court-martial consists of a military judge and at least three panel members, unless the accused elects judge-alone trial. It is often compared to a misdemeanor-level court. A special court-martial may impose confinement, fines, reduction in rank, and a bad-conduct discharge, but cannot impose the most severe punishments available under the UCMJ.",{"question":241,"answer":242},"What is a general court-martial?","A general court-martial is the most serious military trial and is often compared to a felony court. It includes a military judge and at least five panel members unless the accused elects judge-alone trial. General courts-martial may impose the full range of punishments authorized by the UCMJ, including lengthy confinement, dishonorable discharge, dismissal of officers, and in certain cases, the death penalty.",{"question":244,"answer":245},"What penalties can result from a court-martial conviction?","Penalties vary widely depending on the type of court-martial, the charges, and the accused's rank. Potential consequences include: confinement; reduction in rank; forfeiture of pay; restriction or hard labor; punitive discharge or dismissal; loss of military benefits. Even non-confinement penalties can permanently affect a service member's career and future civilian opportunities.",{"question":247,"answer":248},"Will a court-martial affect my military career even if I avoid jail?","Yes. Many court-martial outcomes involve administrative or punitive consequences that may end a military career, limit future promotions, or result in discharge characterizations that follow you into civilian life.",{"question":250,"answer":251},"Do military cases move faster than civilian cases?","Often, yes. Command discretion and military procedure can accelerate timelines. Early legal involvement is especially important to preserve options such as negotiated resolutions, alternative dispositions, or administrative separation in lieu of trial.",{"id":253,"type":254,"displayOrder":147,"payload":255},"cta","cta_band",{"eyebrow":256,"title":257,"description":19,"primaryCtaLabel":258,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":259,"secondaryCtaUrl":186},"Need help?","Call our office to discuss your situation.","Call (505) 984-1100","Back to FAQ",{"enabled":31,"followUpEnabled":261,"title":262,"assistantName":262,"eyebrow":27,"description":263,"welcomeHeadline":264,"welcomeBody":265,"inputPlaceholder":266,"statusLabel":267,"suggestedPrompts":268,"form":272,"review":283},true,"Aarons Law Chat","Calm first-step guidance for urgent criminal defense questions.","Tell me what is happening.","Keep it general at first. If the situation is urgent, recent, or someone is in custody, call (505) 984-1100.","Tell us what happened in broad terms. Avoid confidential details for now.","Available 24/7",[269,270,271],"Someone was arrested last night. What should we do first?","Can you explain what happens after a DWI arrest in New Mexico?","I need the office to review this chat and follow up directly.",{"enabled":261,"triggers":273,"headline":279,"description":280,"submitLabel":281,"successMessage":282},[274,275,276,277,278],"contact me","call me","follow up","consultation","talk to a lawyer","Request office follow-up","Share a few details and the office can review the chat and follow up directly.","Send Follow-Up Request","Your follow-up request has been sent to the office.",{"enabled":261,"triggers":284,"threshold":143,"geoPreference":261,"clickTracking":261,"askHeadline":293,"askDescription":294,"positiveHeadline":295,"positiveDescription":296,"negativeHeadline":297,"negativeDescription":298,"reviewSites":299},[285,286,287,288,289,290,291,292],"leave a review","write a review","review","feedback","testimonial","google review","yelp","avvo","How would you rate your experience?","Choose a rating so we can route you to the right next step.","Thank you for the kind words!","Would you mind sharing your experience on one of the review platforms below?","We are sorry to hear that.","Tell us what happened and the office can review it directly.",[]]