JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
JBER 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 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at JBER: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at JBER 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 JBER
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 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 JBER, 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 JBER
The convening authority at JBER depends on your service and assignment. For Air Force personnel, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, 11th Air Force. For Army personnel, the GCMCA is typically the Commander, 11th Airborne Division. The JBER commander and unit commanders can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel 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 JBER.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Air Force and 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 service members.
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 JBER
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At JBER, 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
Because JBER is a joint base, the military assigns defense counsel based on your service. The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). Both ADC and 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 JBER
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is a United States military installation in Anchorage, Alaska. The base was formed on October 1, 2010, when Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson were merged under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The Air Force serves as the host service through the 673d Air Base Wing. The installation’s history began in 1939, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order withdrawing approximately 45,000 acres of public land in south-central Alaska for military use. Construction on Elmendorf Field began on June 8, 1940, and the first Air Corps personnel arrived in August of that year. On November 12, 1940, the War Department designated the post as Fort Richardson, named after Brigadier General Wilde P. Richardson. The airfield was named Elmendorf Field in honor of Captain Hugh M. Elmendorf, a pioneer aviator killed in 1933 while flight testing an experimental fighter. During World War II, Fort Richardson was charged with defending Alaska from invasion and coordinating the Alaskan war effort, including operations in the Aleutian Islands. After the war, the Army relocated to a new Fort Richardson five miles northeast of Anchorage, and the Air Force assumed control of the original facilities, renaming them Elmendorf Air Force Base. The 3rd Wing was reassigned to Elmendorf from Clark Air Base in the Philippines in 1991 and remains the primary Air Force flying unit at JBER.
JBER encompasses approximately 64,000 acres and is home to more than 40,000 Airmen, Soldiers, family members, retirees, and civilians. The 673d Air Base Wing serves as the host unit, comprising over 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel. The installation hosts the headquarters of Alaskan Command (ALCOM), a subunified command of U.S. Northern Command; the Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR); Joint Task Force-Alaska (JTF-AK); and 11th Air Force, part of Pacific Air Forces. Air Force units include the 3rd Wing, operating F-22 Raptors, C-17 Globemasters, and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft; the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard, operating HC-130J and HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft for search and rescue; and the 477th Fighter Group of the Air Force Reserve, an F-22A Raptor unit. Army units include the headquarters of the 11th Airborne Division, activated on June 6, 2022, replacing U.S. Army Alaska; and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division — the only airborne infantry brigade in the Pacific theater. The 673d Air Base Wing provides medical care to over 35,000 service members, dependents, VA patients, and retirees throughout Alaska.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at JBER are conducted under the authority of 11th Air Force and 11th Airborne Division commanders. The Air Force Area Defense Counsel and the Army Trial Defense Service provide assigned defense counsel. JBER is one of the most strategically important military installations in the Arctic, serving as the headquarters for both the Air Force and Army service components in Alaska and supporting operations across the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic region.
For defense at other installations in Alaska, see our Alaska Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at JBER?
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 Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. 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 JBER?
Yes. JBER is a joint Air Force and Army installation, but Alaska is home to service members from every branch. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Naval Base Kitsap-Elmendorf, and Marine Corps Reserve units all operate in the state. I represent airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Alaska.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC or TDS?
Because JBER is a joint base, the military assigns defense counsel based on your service. Air Force personnel are represented by the Area Defense Counsel (ADC), and Army personnel are represented by the Trial Defense Service (TDS). Both provide dedicated defense counsel, 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 Air Force or 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 JBER?
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 JBER, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to JBER?
I travel to Alaska 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 JBER Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.