MISAWA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Misawa Air Base 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 Misawa Air Base. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Misawa Air Base: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Misawa 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 Misawa Air Base
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Misawa Air Base. 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 Misawa, 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 Misawa Air Base
The convening authority at Misawa depends on your assignment. For Air Force personnel, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is the Commander, 5th Air Force, headquartered at Yokota Air Base. The 35th Fighter Wing commander serves as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority for personnel under his command. Squadron commanders, including the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadron commanders, can convene summary courts-martial for their assigned personnel.
For Navy personnel assigned to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa or its tenant commands, the convening authority may fall under Commander, Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) or Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, depending on the assignment.
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 Misawa.
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 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 Air Force’s administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Misawa Air Base
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Misawa, 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). ADC 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 reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards. 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 Misawa Air Base
Misawa Air Base is a joint U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Space Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force installation located in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, on the northern tip of Honshu, Japan. The base sits on the shores of Lake Ogawara, approximately 400 miles north of Tokyo. Known as the “Tip of the Spear,” Misawa is the northernmost U.S. military installation in Japan and the only combined, joint service installation in the western Pacific.
The 35th Fighter Wing (35 FW) is the host unit at Misawa Air Base, operating approximately 48 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft split between the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons. The wing is assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and falls under 5th Air Force. Its four groups — the 35th Operations Group, 35th Maintenance Group, 35th Mission Support Group, and 35th Medical Group — provide combat air power, base operations, and medical support for the installation.
Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa is an associate command hosted by the 35th Fighter Wing, providing aviation and ground logistic support to Navy and Marine Corps forces in northern Japan. NAF Misawa supports 13 permanently assigned tenant commands and hosts deploying Patrol Squadrons on six-month rotations. Navy personnel make up nearly 20 percent of the Misawa Air Base population.
The base supports a community of approximately 3,500 U.S. military personnel, 300 civilian employees, and over 1,000 local national employees. Unlike the Tokyo area, Aomori Prefecture is rural, known for its slower pace of life, proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and access to mountains and Japanese national landmarks.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted at Misawa Air Base under the authority of 5th Air Force and 35th Fighter Wing commanders. The Staff Judge Advocate provides prosecution and command legal services, while the Area Defense Counsel provides assigned defense counsel. If you are facing discipline at Misawa, you need a defense lawyer who understands the Air Force’s justice system — and who is not afraid to fight for you.
For defense at other installations in Japan, see our Japan Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Misawa?
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 Misawa Air Base. 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 Misawa?
Yes. Misawa is the only combined, joint service installation in the western Pacific. The base is home to Air Force, Navy, Army, and Space Force personnel, as well as Japan Air Self-Defense Force members. I represent Airmen, sailors, soldiers, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Japan.
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 in Japan. 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 Misawa?
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 Misawa, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Misawa?
I travel to Japan 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 been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Misawa Air Base Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Misawa Air Base, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.