FORT STEWART COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Fort Stewart 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 Stewart. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Fort Stewart: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Fort Stewart
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Fort Stewart. 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 Stewart, 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 Stewart
Fort Stewart is a U.S. Army installation under U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and subordinate to XVIII Airborne Corps. The 3rd Infantry Division commander, a two-star general, serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel assigned to the installation. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective units. The 3rd Infantry Division commander is dual-hatted as both the division commander and the Fort Stewart senior commander. The 75th Ranger Regiment, with elements at nearby Hunter Army Airfield, falls under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) chain of command for certain disciplinary matters. The 188th Infantry Brigade, a training brigade assigned to Fort Stewart, operates under First Army.
Cases originating at Fort Stewart are typically handled on-base. Even when proceedings are delayed, statements, evidence, and decisions made at Fort Stewart 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 Stewart.
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 Stewart
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Fort Stewart, 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 Stewart, TDS attorneys serve service members across the 3rd Infantry Division and its 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 the Rock of the Marne has trained for armored warfare on the largest training grounds east of the Mississippi — and I know that your defense requires the same rock-solid determination those soldiers 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 Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a United States Army installation located in Liberty County, Georgia, approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah. The installation spans 280,000 acres across five counties — Liberty, Long, Bryan, Evans, and Tattnall — making it the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River. Fort Stewart is the home of the 3rd Infantry Division, known as the “Rock of the Marne” for its role in halting the German advance at the Marne River in France during World War I. Nearby Hunter Army Airfield, located in Savannah, operates as a sub-installation of Fort Stewart and provides strategic deployment capabilities through its proximity to the Port of Savannah.
The installation’s origins trace to 1940, when Congress authorized funding for an anti-aircraft artillery training center in coastal Georgia. In November 1940, the new post was designated Camp Stewart, in honor of Brigadier General Daniel Stewart, a Liberty County native who fought with Francis Marion during the Revolutionary War and later served in the War of 1812. The camp trained tens of thousands of antiaircraft artillerymen during World War II and also held prisoners of war. After deactivation in 1945, the installation was reopened in 1950 for Korean War training and was redesignated as a permanent installation, Fort Stewart, in 1956. The 24th Infantry Division was assigned to Fort Stewart in 1974 and deployed to Saudi Arabia for the Gulf War in 1990. The 3rd Infantry Division was activated at Fort Stewart on April 25, 1996, and famously led the “Thunder Run” into Baghdad during the Iraq War in 2003.
Today, the 3rd Infantry Division serves as the host unit, with two armored brigade combat teams, a combat aviation brigade, division artillery, and a sustainment brigade. The division is one of the most deployed in the Army, with its soldiers having served in every major U.S. conflict from World War I through the Global War on Terror. Additional units at Fort Stewart include the 188th Infantry Brigade, the 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, the 92nd Engineer Battalion, the 385th Military Police Battalion, and the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron representing the Air Force presence.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Fort Stewart fall under the 3rd Infantry Division chain of command, with the 3rd Infantry Division commander serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and subordinate brigade commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The 75th Ranger Regiment falls under the USASOC chain for certain disciplinary matters, and the 188th Infantry Brigade operates under First Army. The Army provides assigned defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service. Fort Stewart’s status as the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, its role as the home of the 3rd Infantry Division, its armored warfare training capabilities, and its strategic deployment mission through Hunter Army Airfield and the Port of Savannah 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 Stewart?
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 Stewart. 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 Stewart 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 Stewart?
Yes. Fort Stewart is a joint installation with Army, Air Force, and other service personnel assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division and other tenant commands including the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron. 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 Stewart, TDS attorneys serve service members across the 3rd Infantry Division and its 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 Stewart?
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 Stewart, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Fort Stewart?
I travel to Georgia 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 Stewart Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Fort Stewart, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.