KOREA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, or administrative separation in Korea, you need an aggressive civilian defense lawyer on your side immediately. As a Korea court-martial defense lawyer—and a former Army JAG who served in Korea—David S. Hendrickson understands the Eighth Army and USFK military justice environment firsthand. He represents service members at Camp Humphreys, USAG Daegu, and installations across the peninsula, fighting to protect your rank, pay, retirement, and freedom.
Korea Court-Martial and UCMJ Defense
From courts-martial and Boards of Inquiry to UCMJ offense defense and administrative actions, these are the cases I handle for service members in Korea. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense Lawyer in Korea: What You Need to Know
What’s at stake in a court-martial in Korea?
A court-martial conviction can end your career and follow you for life. You face confinement, a punitive discharge (bad-conduct or dishonorable for enlisted; dismissal for officers), reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, sex-offender registration, and loss of retirement and veterans’ benefits — plus a federal conviction that follows you into civilian life and affects employment, housing, and your future. Overseas, the impact is magnified: confinement far from home, strain on your family, and immigration and SOFA-status consequences that can outlast the case itself.
How are courts-martial handled at Camp Humphreys and USAG Daegu?
Courts-martial in Korea fall under your branch and command’s convening authority — for Army service members, generally through Eighth Army and your local command; for the Air Force, 7th Air Force at Osan; and for Navy and Marine Corps personnel, your respective component command under USFK. The convening authority decides whether to prefer charges, refer your case to court-martial, and approve any sentence. Having served in Korea as an Army JAG, I understand how these commands investigate, charge, and try cases — and how to mount an effective defense within that system.
When should I hire a defense lawyer?
As early as possible — ideally the moment you suspect you are under investigation by CID, NCIS, AFOSI, or your command. Some of the most important defense work happens before charges are ever preferred, while the command is still gathering information and deciding how far to take the case. Early representation can help you avoid statements and decisions that harden the case against you, and can sometimes resolve matters before they ever reach a court-martial.
Won’t the military assign me a lawyer for free?
Yes — the military will assign you defense counsel at no cost, and many are capable. But military defenders in Korea are often carrying heavy caseloads, may have limited trial experience in complex or serious cases, and rotate out on short tours, which can disrupt continuity in a long case. A civilian defense lawyer gives you dedicated, experienced representation from start to finish — chosen by you, not assigned to you.
Korea Bases We Serve
Camp Humphreys
Camp Humphreys is the largest overseas U.S. military installation in the world and a central hub for U.S. Forces Korea, which means commanders aggressively enforce discipline, regulations, and accountability.
Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base is a forward-deployed installation with heightened operational demands. Commanders are under constant pressure to maintain good order and discipline, often resulting in rapid investigations and decisive adverse action.
Camp Casey
Camp Casey sits just miles from the DMZ and operates at a uniquely high operational tempo. Soldiers assigned here face constant readiness demands, heightened command scrutiny, and limited margin for error.
USAG Daegu
USAG Daegu is a major U.S. Army Garrison located in Daegu, South Korea, and serves as a central hub for Army and joint-service personnel assigned throughout the region.
Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base sits on the front line of the “Fight Tonight” mission, and legal problems there can move just as fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a civilian military defense lawyer represent me in Korea?
Yes. A civilian military defense lawyer can represent service members in South Korea in court-martial, Article 15/NJP, administrative separation, and other military justice matters, subject to the applicable service rules and procedures.
What kinds of cases do you handle in Korea?
We handle courts-martial, Article 15/NJP matters, investigations, administrative separation boards, officer adverse actions, and other serious UCMJ-related matters.
Do you handle cases at Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base?
We represent service members across Korea, including major installations such as Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base, Camp Casey, USAG Daegu, and Kunsan Air Base.
Should I speak with investigators before talking to a lawyer?
Absolutely not. If you are suspected of misconduct or under investigation, getting legal advice before making statements is critical.
Talk to a Korea Military Defense Lawyer Now
Cases in Korea can become serious very quickly, especially when a command investigation, UCMJ process, or administrative action is already underway. Early legal advice can help preserve evidence, prepare for questioning, shape the record, and avoid mistakes that make a bad case harder to defend later.
If you have been approached by investigators, advised of your rights, served with adverse paperwork, or notified of possible charges or separation action, you should treat the matter as urgent from the start. Contact us now.