MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
MCBH Kaneohe 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 Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at MCBH Kaneohe Bay: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at MCBH 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 MCBH Kaneohe Bay
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. 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 MCBH, 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 MCBH Kaneohe Bay
The convening authority at MCBH depends on your assignment. For Marine Corps personnel assigned to MCBH, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC). The MCBH commanding officer can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under their command. For Marines assigned to the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the convening authority chain may run through the 3rd Marine Division.
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 MCBH.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The 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 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 Marine Corps administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at MCBH Kaneohe Bay
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At MCBH, 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 Marine Corps provides defense counsel through the Defense Services Organization (DSO). The DSO Hawaii branch office is located on MCBH in Building 215. DSO 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 Marine Corps 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 throughout Hawaii and the Pacific for years. I know how the military justice system works here. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About MCBH Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) is a United States Marine Corps installation located on Mokapu Peninsula on the Windward side of Oahu, between the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua. The base is commonly known as “K-Bay.” The site’s military history began in 1918, when President Woodrow Wilson designated 322 acres of the peninsula as the Army’s Kuwaaohe Military Reservation. In 1939, the Navy began constructing a seaplane base, and Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay was officially commissioned on February 15, 1941. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked NAS Kaneohe Bay eight minutes before the assault on Pearl Harbor. Twenty-seven of thirty-six PBY Catalina aircraft were destroyed, and eighteen sailors were killed. Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer John William Finn, who manned a machine gun against the attacking aircraft, became one of the first Medal of Honor recipients of World War II. In 1952, the Marine Corps recommissioned the installation as Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. On April 15, 1994, the Marine Corps consolidated all of its installations in Hawaii under a single command — Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The airfield was redesignated as a Marine Corps Air Station in 2009 and named for Major General Marion Eugene Carl, a Marine aviation pioneer. The installation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.
MCBH is home to approximately 9,000 active duty Marines and Sailors. The base hosts the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (3d MLR), part of the 3rd Marine Division, which includes the 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, and 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24), part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, is the Marine Corps’ largest and only permanent composite Marine Aircraft Group, operating MV-22B Ospreys, KC-130J Hercules, AH-1Z Vipers, UH-1Y Venoms, and MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft. Additional tenant units include Combat Logistics Company 33, 3rd Radio Battalion, and Navy squadrons HSM-37 (MH-60R Seahawk) and VR-51 (C-40A Clipper). MCBH also operates training facilities at Puuloa Range and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. The installation aligned under Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) in 2011.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at MCBH are conducted under the authority of MCIPAC commanders. The Marine Corps Defense Services Organization provides assigned defense counsel from its Hawaii branch office on the installation. MCBH is one of the most important Marine Corps installations in the Pacific, serving as a forward base for aviation and ground combat forces operating throughout the Indo-Pacific.
For defense at other installations in Hawaii, see our Hawaii Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at MCBH Kaneohe 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 Marine Corps Base Hawaii. 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 MCBH Kaneohe Bay?
Yes. MCBH is a Marine Corps installation, but Navy squadrons are based here alongside Marine units. Oahu also hosts Schofield Barracks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. I represent Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Hawaii.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the DSO?
DSO 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 in Hawaii and across the Pacific. 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 Marine Corps. 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 MCBH Kaneohe 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 MCBH, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to MCBH Kaneohe Bay?
I travel to Hawaii regularly 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 throughout Hawaii and the Pacific for years — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to an MCBH Kaneohe Bay Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.