NAVAL BASE GUAM COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Naval Base Guam 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 Naval Base Guam. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense Lawyer at Naval Base Guam: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Naval Base Guam 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 Naval Base Guam
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Naval Base Guam. 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 Naval Base Guam, 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 Naval Base Guam
The convening authority at Naval Base Guam depends on your assignment. For Navy personnel assigned to shore commands, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, Joint Region Marianas. For personnel assigned to fleet units, such as Submarine Squadron 15 submarines, the convening authority may be Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet or Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet. The Naval Base Guam commanding officer can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under their command.
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 Naval Base Guam.
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 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 Navy administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Naval Base Guam
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Naval Base Guam, 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 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 Navy 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 the Pacific 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 Naval Base Guam
Naval Base Guam is a United States Navy installation located on Apra Harbor, occupying the Orote Peninsula on the western side of Guam, a U.S. territory in the western Pacific. Founded in 1899 after the United States acquired Guam through the Treaty of Paris, the base was rebuilt in 1944 by Seabees from the 5th Naval Construction Brigade on the site of the destroyed Marine Corps barracks in Sumay. It earned the nickname “The Pacific Supermarket” for its role as a critical supply and logistics hub. In 2009, Naval Base Guam was combined with Andersen Air Force Base to form Joint Region Marianas, a Navy-controlled joint base. The main base, often called “Big Navy,” lies on the Orote Peninsula, with Polaris Point serving as the homeport for the submarine force.
The base is home to Commander Submarine Squadron 15 (SUBRON 15), which supports forward-deployed Los Angeles-class attack submarines and the Virginia-class USS Minnesota, which arrived in November 2024 as the first forward-deployed Virginia-class submarine. Two submarine tenders — USS Frank Cable and USS Emory S. Land — provide maintenance and logistics support. The base also hosts Coast Guard Sector Guam, Naval Special Warfare Unit One, and more than 30 tenant commands supporting U.S. Pacific Command, Pacific Fleet, and Seventh Fleet operations. More than 6,000 military personnel and civilians work at Naval Base Guam.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted at Naval Base Guam under the authority of Joint Region Marianas and Pacific Fleet commanders. The Defense Service Office provides assigned defense counsel for Navy personnel. Naval Base Guam is part of Joint Region Marianas, alongside Andersen Air Force Base and Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, making the island a joint military hub. Service members at any installation on Guam who face military discipline need a defense lawyer who understands the unique legal landscape of the Pacific.
For defense at other installations on Guam, see our Guam Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Naval Base Guam?
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 Naval Base Guam. 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 Naval Base Guam?
Yes. Naval Base Guam is a Navy installation, but it hosts personnel from multiple services. The base supports Coast Guard, Naval Special Warfare, and other joint commands alongside Navy personnel. I represent sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere on Guam.
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 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 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 Naval Base Guam?
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 Naval Base Guam, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Naval Base Guam?
I travel to the Pacific 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 the Pacific 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 Naval Base Guam Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are at Naval Base Guam and need a military defense lawyer, contact me for a confidential consultation. If you are being investigated, accused of a UCMJ offense, facing court-martial, or worried that command action is coming, now is the time to protect yourself.