CAMP ZAMA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Camp Zama 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 Zama. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Camp Zama: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Camp Zama
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Camp Zama. 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 Zama, 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 Zama
The convening authority at Camp Zama depends on your assignment. The Commander, U.S. Army Japan (USARJ) serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for Army personnel in Japan. The U.S. Army Garrison Japan commander and unit commanders can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under their command.
The convening authority decides whether to refer charges, what charges to prefer, and whether to offer you non-judicial punishment instead of a court-martial. A skilled defense lawyer can engage with the convening authority early. Before charges are referred, there may be an opportunity to advocate for your interests, present mitigating evidence, or persuade the command to take a different path.
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 Zama.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Army 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 service members.
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 Army’s 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 Zama
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Camp Zama, 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 Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). TDS 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 Army reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards. I know how the military justice system works here. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About Camp Zama
Camp Zama is a United States Army post located in the cities of Zama and Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, approximately 25 miles southwest of Tokyo. The installation sits on the former site of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and has served as a U.S. military installation since 1945. Since 1971, Camp Zama has functioned as a bilateral facility, hosting both U.S. Army units and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Camp Zama is the headquarters of U.S. Army Japan (USARJ) and I Corps (Forward). The base is home to the U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan, the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, the 78th Signal Battalion, the Japan Engineer District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. The base cluster includes Sagamihara Family Housing Area, Sagami General Depot, and North Dock.
U.S. Army Garrison Japan provides base operations support across 16 installation sites on Honshu and Okinawa, with an area of responsibility spanning approximately 1,500 miles from north to south. The garrison supports an Army community of service members, civilians, and family members throughout Japan.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted at Camp Zama under the authority of the Commander, U.S. Army Japan. The Staff Judge Advocate provides prosecution and command legal services, while the Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel. If you are facing discipline at Camp Zama, you need a defense lawyer who understands the Army’s justice system — and who is not afraid to fight for you.
For defense at other installations in Japan, see our Japan Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Camp Zama?
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 Zama. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ.
Do you represent all branches at Camp Zama?
Yes. While Camp Zama is primarily an Army installation, service members from other branches may be assigned here or to nearby commands. I represent Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Japan.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
TDS 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 in Japan. 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 Army. 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 Zama?
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 Zama, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Camp Zama?
I travel to Japan regularly 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 been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Camp Zama Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Camp Zama, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.