JBSA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Joint Base San Antonio 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 San Antonio. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at JBSA: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Joint Base San Antonio
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Joint Base San Antonio. 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 Joint Base San Antonio, 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 Joint Base San Antonio
Joint Base San Antonio is an Air Force-led joint base. Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at JBSA-Randolph, provides the General Court-Martial Convening Authority chain for Air Force personnel assigned to the 37th Training Wing at Lackland, the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph, and other AETC units. The 502nd Air Base Wing commander serves as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority for base-level personnel. For Army personnel assigned to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command chain provides convening authority, with brigade commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities.
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 staff. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or 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 Joint Base San Antonio.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Air Force 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 airmen. 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 Air Force administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Joint Base San Antonio
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Joint Base San Antonio, 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 Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). 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 Air Force or Army 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 at the largest joint base in the Department of Defense, where airmen and soldiers have pioneered military training and Army medicine from Military City USA — and I know that your defense requires the same resolve and readiness those service members bring to every mission. 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 Joint Base San Antonio
Joint Base San Antonio is a United States military facility located in San Antonio, Texas, comprising three primary installations: JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, and JBSA-Randolph, plus Camp Bullis and several other operating locations. The base was established on October 1, 2010, under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommendations, merging Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base into a single joint installation under the U.S. Air Force’s 502nd Air Base Wing. With more than 80,000 personnel and a total plant replacement value of approximately $10.3 billion, JBSA is the largest joint base in the Department of Defense. The 502nd Air Base Wing serves as the host organization, providing installation support across all JBSA locations through three mission support groups, with its headquarters at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
Fort Sam Houston traces its roots to 1845, when the Army established a garrison in San Antonio. In 1876, the Army began constructing the Quadrangle on land donated by the city, and the post was formally named Fort Sam Houston in 1890 for General Sam Houston, the hero of the Battle of San Jacinto and the first president of the Republic of Texas. Today, Fort Sam Houston is home to the U.S. Army Medical Command headquarters, the Army Medical Department Center and School, Brooke Army Medical Center — the DoD’s largest hospital and only stateside Level I trauma center — and the Medical Education and Training Campus, the largest enlisted medical training facility in the DoD, graduating over 16,500 students annually from 49 medical programs. The installation is also home to U.S. Army South and the headquarters of U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, which succeeded U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) in July 2026 as the senior Army command at Fort Sam Houston.
JBSA-Lackland is the home of Air Force Basic Military Training. Construction began on June 15, 1941, as part of Kelly Field, and the installation became independent on July 4, 1942, as the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center. It was redesignated Lackland Air Force Base on February 3, 1948, named after Brigadier General Frank D. Lackland, who originated the idea of an aviation cadet reception and training center. Today, the 37th Training Wing at JBSA-Lackland is the largest training wing in the U.S. Air Force, graduating over 79,000 students annually from basic military training, technical training, security training, and international programs. Every enlisted airman and Guardian in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force begins their career at Lackland, earning it the nickname “Gateway to the Air Force.” JBSA-Randolph was dedicated on June 20, 1930, as a flying training base and was soon known as the “West Point of the Air.” Named after Captain William M. Randolph, a native Texan killed in a plane crash in 1928, the base has been a flying training base since the Air Corps Training Center moved its headquarters there on October 1, 1931. In 1957, Air Training Command moved its headquarters to Randolph from Scott Air Force Base, and in July 2012, it was redesignated Air Education and Training Command. Today, JBSA-Randolph is home to AETC headquarters, the 12th Flying Training Wing, and the Air Force Personnel Center. The 12th Flying Training Wing trains instructor pilots, combat systems officers, and remotely piloted aircraft pilots, and manages all airmanship programs for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Joint Base San Antonio fall under the authority of the Air Education and Training Command chain for Air Force personnel and the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command chain for Army personnel, with wing and brigade commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The Area Defense Counsel provides assigned defense counsel for Air Force personnel, and the Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel for Army personnel. Joint Base San Antonio’s status as the largest joint base in the DoD, its role as the gateway for every new airman, and its combined training, medical, and personnel missions make it one of the most strategically significant military installations in the 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 Joint Base San Antonio?
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 San Antonio. 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 Joint Base San Antonio may be handled on-base or deferred until a unit returns from deployment, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Joint Base San Antonio?
Yes. JBSA is an Air Force-led joint base, but its three installations are home to airmen, soldiers, sailors, and Marines. The Medical Education and Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston is the largest enlisted medical training facility in the DoD, training students from all branches. I represent airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Texas or worldwide.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC?
ADC attorneys are 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. 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 Joint Base San Antonio?
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 Joint Base San Antonio, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Joint Base San Antonio?
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 Joint Base San Antonio Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Joint Base San Antonio, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.