NAPLES COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Naples 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 Naples. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Naples: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Naples 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 Naples
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Naples. 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 Naples, 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 Naples
NSA Naples operates under Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (CNREURAFCENT), which is headquartered at NSA Naples and manages nine installations across three continents. The region supports operations spanning three combatant commands — European Command, Africa Command, and Central Command. NSA Naples is also the headquarters for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, and Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is the NSA Naples commanding officer, who is a secretarially designated convening authority. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically a subordinate commander.
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 Naples.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Navy 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 sailors. 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 Naples
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Naples, 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 Navy provides defense counsel through the Defense Service Office (DSO). DSO attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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.
I have fought for service members at courts-martial and administrative boards worldwide — not just in one place, but wherever the military sends its people. 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 Naples
Naval Support Activity Naples is located in the Campania region of southern Italy, adjacent to Naples International Airport at Capodichino, approximately 145 miles south of Rome. The installation is under Italian military control and operates under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and bilateral agreements between Italy and the United States. NSA Naples is assigned to Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (CNREURAFCENT), which is headquartered on the installation and manages nine installations across three continents. NSA Naples is also the headquarters for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, and Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, making it the center of U.S. naval command and control in the European and African theaters. The installation spans six geographically separated sites in Italy: Capodichino, the main operational area adjacent to Naples International Airport, which houses the headquarters for CNE/CNA/C6F, CNREURAFCENT, and NSA Naples; the Support Site at Gricignano di Aversa, approximately 15 miles north, which includes family housing, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, DoDEA schools, the Navy Exchange, and the commissary; the Gaeta Detachment, approximately 60 miles south, which conducts security and port operations and is home to the Sixth Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20); Joint Forces Command at Lago Patria, a NATO command that includes NCTS SATCOM and the U.S. National Support Element; Carney Park at Pozzuoli, which provides MWR and sports facilities; and the Mt. Camaldoli radio site. The base supports 55 tenant commands and approximately 8,500 personnel, including sailors, Marines, soldiers, airmen, Coast Guard personnel, and NATO staff. Key commands include Commander, Task Force 63, responsible for operational logistics; Commander, Task Force 64, responsible for missile defense; Commander, Task Force 65, responsible for expeditionary strike group operations; Commander, Task Force 69, responsible for submarine operations; Commander, Submarine Group Eight; Destroyer Squadron 60; the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples; the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center; Naval Criminal Investigative Service Europe and Africa; the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band; and the Defense Service Office North.
Naval Support Activity Naples traces its origins to October 3, 1951, when it was established as Headquarters, Support Activities to support NATO’s Allied Forces Southern Europe and, later, the U.S. Sixth Fleet. In August 1953, the support unit became Commander, Subordinate Command, U.S. Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic, and in November 1957 it was redesignated U.S. Naval Activities, Italy, and U.S. Naval Support Activity, Naples. On August 8, 1966, the activities were consolidated as U.S. Naval Support Activity, Naples. The Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Naples was established in 1963 at Bagnoli and has since evolved into a critical command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence facility. Naval Hospital Naples was established at Agnano in 1967 and moved to the Support Site at Gricignano di Aversa in April 2003. In 1982, a significant earthquake damaged facilities at Agnano, accelerating plans to relocate operations. NSA Gaeta, established in 1967 as the home of the Sixth Fleet flagship, became a detachment of NSA Naples on February 10, 2006. In 2005, the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Europe moved from London to Naples, consolidating naval command functions at the installation. In 2019, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia was renamed Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT) to reflect its expanded mission supporting Central Command. Today, NSA Naples provides the forward-deployed platform that enables U.S. naval operations across the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility and supports NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Naples are conducted under the authority of the CNREURAFCENT chain of command, with the NSA Naples commanding officer serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and subordinate commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. Assigned defense counsel are provided through the Defense Service Office. NSA Naples’s role as the headquarters for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, the U.S. Sixth Fleet, and CNREURAFCENT, its support of operations spanning three combatant commands, and its strategic location in the central Mediterranean make it one of the most important U.S. naval installations in the world.
For defense at other installations in Italy, see our Italy Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Naples?
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 Naples. 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 Naples?
Yes. While Naples is primarily a U.S. Navy installation, service members from every branch are assigned here, including Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel, as well as NATO staff. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Italy.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the DSO?
The Navy provides defense counsel through the Defense Service Office (DSO). DSO attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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 Navy. 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 Naples?
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 Naples, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Naples?
I travel to Italy 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 Naples Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Naples, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.