FORT HOOD COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Fort Hood 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 Hood. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Fort Hood: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Fort Hood
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Fort Hood. 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 Hood, 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 Hood
Fort Hood is a U.S. Army installation under U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). The III Armored Corps commander, a three-star general, serves as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel assigned to III Armored Corps units. The 1st Cavalry 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. First Army Division West, also headquartered at Fort Hood, provides training and readiness oversight for reserve component forces and operates under a separate command chain. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment and other separate brigades fall under the III Armored Corps chain of command.
Cases originating at Fort Hood are typically handled on-base. Even when proceedings are delayed, statements, evidence, and decisions made at Fort Hood 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 Hood.
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 Hood
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Fort Hood, 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 Hood, TDS attorneys serve service members across the III Armored Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, 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 installations where armored divisions and cavalry regiments have trained for war for over eighty years — and I know that your defense requires the same discipline and determination those units bring to the 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 Fort Hood
Fort Hood is a United States Army installation located near Killeen, Texas, approximately 60 miles north of Austin and 60 miles south of Waco. It spans approximately 218,000 acres across Bell and Coryell counties in Central Texas. The installation is home to more than 34,500 soldiers and airmen and approximately 48,500 family members, making it one of the largest military installations in the United States. Fort Hood serves as the headquarters of III Armored Corps and First Army Division West and is widely regarded as one of the Army’s premier training installations, with some of the most expansive armored training facilities in the force.
The installation was established in 1942 as Camp Hood, a Tank Destroyer Tactical and Firing Center, in response to the need for wide-open space to test and train with World War II tank destroyers. It was named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. Camp Hood was officially opened on September 18, 1942, and at its wartime peak trained as many as 100,000 soldiers at a time. The installation was redesignated as a permanent Army post, Fort Hood, in 1950. In 1954, III Corps was transferred to Fort Hood from Camp Roberts, California, and the installation became a two-division post. Over the following decades, Fort Hood pioneered digitized armored warfare with the M1A2 Abrams tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle, introduced urban combat training sites, and deployed soldiers to every major conflict from the Korean War through the Global War on Terror. In May 2023, the installation was redesignated Fort Cavazos in honor of General Richard E. Cavazos, the Army’s first Hispanic four-star general and a decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. In June 2025, the installation was redesignated back to Fort Hood, this time honoring Colonel Robert B. Hood, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during World War I.
Today, the 1st Cavalry Division serves as the largest unit at Fort Hood, with three brigade combat teams, a combat aviation brigade, and division artillery. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment provides reconnaissance and security capabilities. The 13th Sustainment Command provides expeditionary logistics. Additional units include the 36th Engineer Brigade, the 89th Military Police Brigade, the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 1st Medical Brigade, the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 48th Chemical Brigade, the 11th Corps Signal Brigade, the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade, the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, the Operational Test Command, the 407th Army Field Support Brigade, First Army Division West, and the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. The 3rd Air Support Operations Group and 9th Air Support Operations Squadron represent the Air Force presence at the installation.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Fort Hood fall under the III Armored Corps chain of command, with the III Armored Corps commander and the 1st Cavalry Division commander each serving as General Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective personnel. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The Army provides assigned defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service. Fort Hood’s status as the headquarters of III Armored Corps, its role as one of the Army’s premier armored training installations, and its more than eighty years of service to the nation 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 Hood?
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 Hood. 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 Hood 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 Hood?
Yes. Fort Hood is a joint installation with Army, Air Force, and other service personnel assigned to the III Armored Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, and other tenant commands including the 3rd Air Support Operations Group. 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 Hood, TDS attorneys serve service members across the III Armored Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, 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 Hood?
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 Hood, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Fort Hood?
I travel to Texas 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 Hood Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Fort Hood, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.