GRAFENWÖHR COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Grafenwöhr 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 soldiers at Grafenwöhr and Tower Barracks. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Grafenwöhr: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Grafenwöhr is the first step in protecting yourself. Knowing why a seasoned civilian defense lawyer matters is the second. This section covers both.
Courts-Martial at Grafenwöhr
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Grafenwöhr. 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 Grafenwöhr, 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 Grafenwöhr
Grafenwöhr and Tower Barracks fall under U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). The 41st Field Artillery Brigade and other units at Grafenwöhr are assigned within the V Corps chain of command. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically a general officer within the V Corps or USAREUR-AF chain of command. Unit commanders can convene special and summary courts-martial for soldiers 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 Grafenwöhr.
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 Grafenwöhr
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Grafenwöhr, 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 military 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 for years. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About Grafenwöhr and Tower Barracks
Grafenwöhr is a United States Army installation located near the town of Grafenwöhr in the Upper Palatinate region of eastern Bavaria, Germany. The installation is headquartered at Tower Barracks and is home to the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, the 7th Army Training Command, and the 41st Field Artillery Brigade. The Grafenwöhr Training Area, at 232 square kilometers the largest U.S. Army training area in Europe, was established in 1907 by the Royal Bavarian Army, with the first artillery round fired on June 30, 1910. The training area was expanded by the Nazi government in 1936 to its present size, forcibly evicting more than 3,500 people from their villages. During World War II, the Wehrmacht used the base to train troops for blitzkrieg tactics, including foreign volunteers of the Waffen-SS and four divisions of the Italian Social Republic. The last German commander surrendered the training area to the U.S. Army on April 20, 1945, and the American era began. During the Cold War, Grafenwöhr served as the centerpiece of U.S. Army training in Europe, training forces from a quarter-million-strong garrison stationed across West Germany.
Today, Tower Barracks serves as the headquarters of the 7th Army Training Command, the largest U.S. Army training command outside the continental United States. The 7th ATC resources training readiness for U.S. Army Europe and Africa forces, NATO allies, and partner nations across the U.S. European Command area of operations through seven subordinate directorates, including the Grafenwöhr Training Area, the Joint Multinational Simulation Center with its 50,000-square-foot digital training facility, the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy — the largest and oldest in the U.S. Army — and the Training Support Activity Europe. The Grafenwöhr Training Area features 44 digitally connected computerized ranges, more than on any other Army installation, supporting live-fire qualifications from small arms to tanks, artillery, aerial gunnery, and close air support. The 41st Field Artillery Brigade was reactivated at Tower Barracks on November 30, 2018, operating the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System with two subordinate battalions: the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment. Between 2000 and 2010, the Efficient Basing-Grafenwöhr initiative consolidated troops from Schweinfurt, Kaiserslautern, Bamberg, and Wiesbaden into East Camp, increasing the base capacity from 1,000 to approximately 4,500 personnel with 8,500 family members. Annually, approximately 180,000 troops from more than 35 countries train at Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels combined.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Grafenwöhr are conducted under the authority of V Corps and U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Army Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel. Grafenwöhr’s role as the headquarters of the 7th Army Training Command and the largest U.S. Army training area in Europe, combined with its 115-year history of continuous military training, makes it one of the most strategically important Army installations on the continent.
For defense at other installations in Germany, see our Germany Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Grafenwöhr?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for soldiers at Grafenwöhr and Tower Barracks. 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 Grafenwöhr?
Yes. Grafenwöhr is an Army installation, but service members from other branches rotate through for training. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Germany.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). TDS 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. 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 Grafenwöhr?
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 Grafenwöhr, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Grafenwöhr?
I travel to Germany 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 defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards for years — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Grafenwöhr Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Grafenwöhr or Tower Barracks, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.