NAVSTA GUANTANAMO BAY COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay
NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay is a U.S. Navy installation leased from the Cuban government under a 1903 agreement reaffirmed by treaty in 1934. The naval station is under the command of Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE). Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO), which operates the detention facility, is a separate command under U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The Navy service component command for the region is Commander, Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) / U.S. Fourth Fleet. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the CNRSE commander. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay commander.
Cases originating at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay may be handled on-base or deferred until redeployment. 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. Special Court-Martial convening authorities also have advising Judge Advocates on their staff. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as an administrative separation without a board, persuading the advising Judge Advocate of your innocence may be more important than persuading the convening authority. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Navy and Marine Corps 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 sailors and Marines. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, 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 Navy provides defense counsel through the Defense Service Office (DSO). At Guantanamo Bay, DSO attorneys serve service members across NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay and the broader U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. 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 that operate under extraordinary legal and diplomatic conditions — and I know that your rights under the UCMJ do not change with your posting. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay
NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay is a United States Navy installation located on 45 square miles of land and water on Guantanamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba, approximately 400 air miles from Miami, Florida. It is the oldest overseas U.S. naval base and the only U.S. military installation located in a country with which the United States does not maintain diplomatic relations. The bay is 12 miles long, pouch-shaped, and surrounded by the Cuzco Hills to the south and east and mountains to the north. A 17-mile fenced perimeter separates the base from Cuban territory. The United States leased the property from Cuba in February 1903 under the Platt Amendment, with a treaty finalized in December 1903. A 1934 treaty reaffirmed the lease, modified the annual payment from $2,000 in gold coins to $4,085 in U.S. dollars, and required the consent of both governments for termination. Since 1964, when Cuba cut off water and supply avenues, NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay has been self-sufficient, generating its own power and producing its own water.
The base’s history spans more than a century of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. U.S. forces seized Guantanamo Bay in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, and Marines landed there to begin the campaign against Spanish forces. During the Cold War, the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and the severing of diplomatic ties in 1961 transformed the base into an isolated outpost. In the early 1990s, Guantanamo Bay became the principal Caribbean processing site for migrant interdictions. In 1991, approximately 34,000 Haitian refugees were detained at the base after fleeing a coup in Haiti. From 1994 to 1996, under Operation Sea Signal, more than 55,000 Cuban and Haitian migrants intercepted at sea were held at Guantanamo Bay, with the migrant population approaching 45,000 at its peak. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Department of Defense established Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF-GTMO) in January 2002, and the first detainees from Afghanistan arrived at Camp X-Ray. At its peak in June 2003, the detention camp held 684 detainees. Since its inception, more than 780 individuals from 48 countries have been detained at the facility, with 15 remaining as of January 2025. In 2025, U.S. Army South assumed responsibility as the lead Joint Task Force for illegal alien holding operations at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, deploying more than 300 U.S. military personnel in support of Department of Homeland Security-led operations.
Today, approximately 6,000 personnel live and work at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, including U.S. military service members, Department of Defense civilians, third-country-national contractors, and family members. The naval station provides logistics support to the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, supporting fleet operations, Caribbean maritime security, counter-narcotics and migrant interdiction, regional humanitarian relief, and search and rescue. Tenant commands include Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Naval Hospital Guantanamo, a Marine Corps Security Force Company providing perimeter defense, and the Office of Military Commissions. The Coast Guard maintained a continuous presence at Guantanamo Bay for 21 years, with Port Security Unit 305 completing its mission in June 2023 after 39 unit rotations, more than 200,000 underway hours of waterside patrols, and over 50,000 hours of shoreside security. The base operates its own airfield, harbor, commissary, Navy Exchange, hospital, schools, and recreational facilities, functioning as a self-contained American community on Cuban soil.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay fall under the Navy Region Southeast chain of command, with the CNRSE commander serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and the NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay commander serving as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Joint Task Force Guantanamo operates under the U.S. Southern Command chain of command. The Navy provides assigned defense counsel through the Defense Service Office. NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay’s status as the oldest overseas U.S. naval base, its unique lease arrangement with Cuba, its self-sufficient infrastructure, and its role hosting detention, migrant, and fleet support operations make it one of the most strategically significant and legally complex installations in the U.S. military.
For defense at other installations in the SOUTHCOM area, see our SOUTHCOM Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay?
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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay may be handled on-base or deferred until redeployment, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
H3: Do you represent all branches at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay?
Yes. NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay is a joint installation with Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel assigned to the naval station, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, and tenant commands. 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 DSO?
The Navy provides defense counsel through the Defense Service Office (DSO). At Guantanamo Bay, DSO attorneys serve service members across NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay and the broader U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. 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 Navy. 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay?
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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay?
I travel to Cuba 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 NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at NAVSTA Guantanamo Bay, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.