FORT BRAGG COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Fort Bragg 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 Fort Bragg. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Fort Bragg: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Fort Bragg
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Fort Bragg. 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 Fort Bragg, 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 Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is a U.S. Army installation hosting multiple major commands. The XVIII Airborne Corps commander, a three-star general, serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps units. The 82nd Airborne Division commander, a two-star general, also serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for division personnel. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective units. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) commander serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for special operations forces assigned to Fort Bragg. U.S. Army Forces Command, now designated U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command and headquartered at Fort Bragg, oversees more than 750,000 active and reserve soldiers and holds General Court-Martial Convening Authority for its assigned personnel.
Cases originating at Fort Bragg are typically handled on-base. Even when proceedings are delayed, statements, evidence, and decisions made at Fort Bragg often shape the entire case. The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) advises the General Court-Martial Convening Authority on every case and drives all legal actions for the General’s signature. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or administrative separation without a board, persuading the SJA of your innocence may be more important than persuading the General. A strong legal defense and argument is necessary.
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 Fort Bragg.
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 soldiers. 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 administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Fort Bragg
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Fort Bragg, 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). At Fort Bragg, TDS attorneys serve service members across the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, USASOC, and their tenant commands. These attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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 or deployment cycles. 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.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at the largest Army installation in the world — and I know that no matter how big the command, your case is the only one that matters to you and it deserves a lawyer who treats it that way. 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 Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is a United States Army installation located in southeastern North Carolina, primarily in Cumberland and Hoke counties, with training areas extending into Moore and Richmond counties. It is the largest Army installation by population in the United States, with more than 52,000 active-duty soldiers and a total population exceeding 135,000 including family members, civilian employees, and contractors. The installation covers approximately 251 square miles (163,000 acres) and is located just west of Fayetteville, approximately one hour south of Raleigh. Fort Bragg operates two airfields: Pope Field, which hosts U.S. Air Force airlift and special operations units, and Simmons Army Airfield, which supports Army aviation. The installation is widely known as the Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces.
The installation was established in 1918 as Camp Bragg, a field artillery training ground named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg. It was redesignated as a permanent Army post, Fort Bragg, on September 30, 1922. The first military parachute jump at the installation took place in 1934, and in 1942 the Army began airborne training there. The 82nd Airborne Division was permanently stationed at Fort Bragg in 1946 after returning from Europe, and the XVIII Airborne Corps was reactivated at the installation in 1951. In 1952, the Psychological Warfare Center — now the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School — was established at Fort Bragg, cementing its role as the home of Army Special Forces. In June 2023, the installation was redesignated Fort Liberty as part of a Department of Defense initiative to remove Confederate names from military bases. In February 2025, the Army officially restored the name Fort Bragg, this time honoring Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge.
Today, Fort Bragg serves as headquarters for some of the Army’s most critical commands. The XVIII Airborne Corps, known as America’s Contingency Corps, provides rapid global deployment capability. The 82nd Airborne Division serves as the Army’s Global Response Force, able to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) oversees the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), including the 3rd Special Forces Group, and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is headquartered at Pope Field. U.S. Army Forces Command, now designated U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, is the Army’s largest command with oversight of more than 750,000 active and reserve soldiers. Additional units include the 16th Military Police Brigade, the 20th Engineer Brigade, the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, the 35th Signal Brigade, the 44th Medical Brigade, the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Womack Army Medical Center, and the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights. The installation’s annual economic impact on North Carolina exceeds $8 billion.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Fort Bragg fall under multiple convening authority chains depending on unit assignment. The XVIII Airborne Corps commander and the 82nd Airborne Division commander each serve as General Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective personnel, while the USASOC commander serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for special operations forces. U.S. Army Forces Command holds General Court-Martial Convening Authority for its assigned personnel. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The Army provides assigned defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service. Fort Bragg’s status as the largest Army installation by population, its role as the home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces, and its concentration of major commands make it one of the most strategically significant installations in the continental United States.
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 Fort Bragg?
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 Fort Bragg. 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 Fort Bragg may be handled on-base or deferred until transfer, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Fort Bragg?
Yes. Fort Bragg is a joint installation with Army, Air Force, and other service personnel assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and other tenant commands including Pope Field. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in the world.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). At Fort Bragg, TDS attorneys serve service members across the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, USASOC, and their tenant commands. These attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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 or deployment cycles. 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 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 Fort Bragg?
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 Fort Bragg, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Fort Bragg?
I travel to North Carolina 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 Fort Bragg Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Fort Bragg, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.