CAMP PENDLETON COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Camp Pendleton Court-Martial and UCMJ Defense
From courts-martial and Boards of Inquiry to other UCMJ defense and administrative actions, these are the cases I handle for service members at Camp Pendleton. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Camp Pendleton: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Camp Pendleton
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Camp Pendleton. A summary court-martial handles minor offenses and can impose limited punishments, including confinement and reduction in rank. A special court-martial handles mid-level offenses and can result in confinement, forfeiture of pay, and a bad-conduct discharge. A general court-martial handles the most serious offenses. It can impose lengthy confinement, a dishonorable discharge, and other severe penalties.
If you are facing a court-martial at Camp Pendleton, the prosecution has likely been building its case before you were ever charged. You need a defense lawyer who can match that preparation. You need someone with the trial experience to fight in the courtroom — not just negotiate behind closed doors.
Convening Authorities at Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton is a Marine Corps installation. The I Marine Expeditionary Force commander, a three-star general, serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for Marine Corps personnel assigned to the installation. The 1st Marine Division commander, a two-star general, also serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel under his command. Subordinate regimental and battalion commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. For Navy personnel assigned to tenant commands such as Assault Craft Unit 5 and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, convening authority flows through the Navy chain. The 1st Marine Raider Battalion falls under the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command chain for certain disciplinary matters.
The Office of Special Trial Counsel
Under recent military justice reforms, certain cases are now handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC). These include sexual assault offenses, domestic violence, and related crimes. The OSTC operates independently from the chain of command. An independent special trial counsel decides whether to refer these cases to court-martial — not your commanding officer.
This means that for certain offenses, the convening authority no longer controls whether your case goes to court-martial. Having a civilian defense lawyer who understands how the OSTC process works is critical if you are facing these types of charges at Camp Pendleton.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Marine Corps can process you for administrative separation through a Board of Inquiry or an Administrative Separation Board. A Board of Inquiry is used for officers. An Administrative Separation Board is used for enlisted Marines. These boards can end your military career. They can also determine your discharge characterization, which affects your veterans’ benefits and future employment.
You have the right to a lawyer at these proceedings. A civilian defense lawyer who understands the Marine Corps administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Camp Pendleton
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Camp Pendleton, your command can impose an Article 15 for minor offenses. If you accept an Article 15, you give up your right to a court-martial. In return, you limit the maximum punishment your command can impose.
You have the right to consult with a defense counsel before accepting an Article 15. You also have the right to demand a court-martial instead. A defense lawyer can help you weigh your options and can advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
The Marine Corps provides defense counsel through the Defense Services Organization (DSO). DSO attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, but they are often carrying heavy caseloads. They rotate assignments, which means your attorney may change during your case. They also work within the same military structure as the prosecutors and judges in your case.
A civilian defense lawyer brings independence. I am not part of the chain of command. I am not subject to Marine Corps reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at installations where Marines have trained for every amphibious assault since World War II from the largest Marine Corps base on the West Coast — and I know that your defense requires the same resolve and readiness those Marines bring to every fight. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. When everything you have worked for is on the line, you need a lawyer who has the experience, independence, and fight to stand with you.
About Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is a United States Marine Corps installation located in San Diego County, Southern California, approximately 38 miles north of downtown San Diego and 82 miles south of Los Angeles. It is the largest Marine Corps base on the West Coast, encompassing more than 125,000 acres of Southern California terrain with 17 miles of Pacific coastline. The base is the Marine Corps’ premier amphibious training facility and the largest employer in North San Diego County. More than 42,000 active-duty service members and thousands of family members and civilians are stationed at or supported by the installation.
The base was established in 1942 on the site of the historic Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, a 122,798-acre Mexican land grant that had operated as a working cattle ranch since 1841. On March 10, 1942, the Department of the Navy announced the purchase of approximately 130,000 acres for $4.23 million. Construction began in April 1942, and the 9th Marine Regiment, under Colonel Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., marched from Camp Elliott in San Diego to be the first troops to occupy the new base. On September 25, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially dedicated the installation, named in honor of Major General Joseph Henry Pendleton, who had long advocated for a West Coast Marine Corps training base. Camp Pendleton was declared a permanent installation in October 1944 and became home to the 1st Marine Division in 1946.
Today, Camp Pendleton is home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), the largest of the three Marine Expeditionary Forces, commanded by a three-star general. The base hosts the 1st Marine Division, the oldest and largest active duty division in the Marine Corps; the 1st Marine Logistics Group; Marine Aircraft Group 39; Marine Corps Installations-West; the 1st Marine Raider Battalion; the 11th, 13th, and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units; the School of Infantry West; Assault Craft Unit 5; and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. The installation provides the only amphibious assault training on the West Coast and supports combined ground and air operations of battalion size or larger across its 500 miles of roads and training areas.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Camp Pendleton fall under the authority of the I Marine Expeditionary Force and 1st Marine Division commanders, with the I MEF commander and 1st Marine Division commander serving as General Court-Martial Convening Authorities and subordinate regimental and battalion commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The Defense Services Organization provides assigned defense counsel for Marine Corps personnel. Camp Pendleton’s status as the largest Marine Corps base on the West Coast, its premier amphibious training mission, and its role as home to I MEF and the 1st Marine Division make it the most strategically significant Marine Corps installation on the West Coast.
For defense at other installations in the CONUS area, see our CONUS Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Camp Pendleton?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for service members at Camp Pendleton. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ. Cases originating at Camp Pendleton may be handled on-base or deferred until a unit returns from deployment, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Camp Pendleton?
Yes. Camp Pendleton is a Marine Corps installation, but San Diego is one of the largest military concentrations in the world. Naval Base San Diego, Naval Air Station North Island, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado all operate nearby. I represent sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in California or worldwide.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the DSO?
DSO attorneys are dedicated defense counsel, but they are often overloaded with cases and may rotate assignments during your case. As a civilian defense lawyer, I am not subject to reassignment. I am with you from start to finish. I bring independence from the military chain of command and years of trial experience defending service members. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
What is a Board of Inquiry?
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative proceeding used to separate officers from the Marine Corps. The board reviews allegations of misconduct or substandard performance. It can recommend separation with a specific discharge characterization. You have the right to a lawyer at a Board of Inquiry. A skilled civilian defense lawyer can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Can you help with Article 15 at Camp Pendleton?
Yes. I can review the evidence against you, advise you whether to accept the Article 15 or demand a court-martial, and advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding. Article 15 punishments can include restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties. Having a lawyer involved early can make a significant difference in the outcome.
I’m under investigation — what should I do?
Do not make any statements to investigators, your chain of command, or anyone else about the allegations without consulting a lawyer first. You have the right to remain silent under Article 31(b) of the UCMJ. Contact a defense lawyer immediately. The earlier I get involved, the more I can do to protect you. This includes conducting an independent investigation, engaging with the command before charges are referred, and building a defense strategy from day one.
Can you help with sexual assault allegations under the UCMJ?
Yes. Sexual assault allegations under Articles 120, 120b, and 120c of the UCMJ are among the most serious charges a service member can face. These cases carry severe penalties, including lengthy confinement and sex offender registration. Under recent reforms, the Office of Special Trial Counsel now handles these cases independently from the chain of command. I have experience defending sexual assault cases in the military. I understand the unique evidentiary and procedural issues these cases involve. If you are facing a sexual assault allegation at Camp Pendleton, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Camp Pendleton?
I travel to California for courts-martial and administrative boards. When you contact me, I will work with you to establish a timeline that meets your needs. I have spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards, and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Camp Pendleton Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Camp Pendleton, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.