NAVAL STATION NORFOLK COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Naval Station Norfolk 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 Station Norfolk. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Naval Station Norfolk: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Naval Station Norfolk
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Naval Station Norfolk. 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 Station Norfolk, 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 Station Norfolk
The convening authority at Naval Station Norfolk depends on your assignment. For personnel assigned to shore commands, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. For personnel assigned to fleet units, the convening authority may be Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, or Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, depending on your type of assignment. The Naval Station Norfolk commanding officer can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under their command.
The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) advises the General Court-Martial Convening Authority on every case and drives all legal actions for the General’s signature. Special Court Martial convening authorities also have advising Judge Advocates on their staff. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as an administrative separation without a board, persuading the advising Judge Advocate of your innocence may be more important than persuading the convening authority. A strong legal defense and argument is necessary.
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 Station Norfolk.
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 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 Station Norfolk
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Naval Station Norfolk, 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 defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at installations where sailors have projected American sea power from the world’s largest naval station for over a century — and I know that your defense requires the same resolve and readiness those sailors bring to every fight. 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 Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk is a United States Navy installation located on the Sewell’s Point peninsula in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, at the mouth of the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads. It is the world’s largest naval station, covering over 4,600 acres with approximately 4 miles of waterfront and 11 miles of pier and wharf space. The base is the headquarters and home port of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and supports 75 ships, 134 aircraft, 14 piers, and 11 aircraft hangars. More than 60,000 active-duty service members and 13,000 civilians work at or are supported by the installation, making it the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces in the world.
The base traces its origins to the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, held on the Sewell’s Point site. On June 28, 1917, less than three months after the United States entered World War I, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation authorizing the $1.2 million purchase of 474 acres of the former exposition grounds and $1.6 million for development. Construction began on July 4, 1917, and by 1918 approximately 34,000 enlisted men were stationed there. Originally established as the Naval Operating Base (NOB), the installation was officially renamed Naval Station Norfolk on January 1, 1953. In 1999, the adjacent Naval Air Station Norfolk was absorbed into the installation, adding Chambers Field to the complex. The base has participated in every major U.S. naval conflict since World War I and launched the Great White Fleet before its global voyage.
Today, Naval Station Norfolk is home to U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and dozens of tenant commands. The base serves as homeport for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and submarines. Carrier Air Wings, helicopter squadrons, and fleet logistics squadrons operate from Chambers Field. The installation is the Navy’s primary logistics hub for operations in the European and Central Command theaters and supports approximately 275 flight operations per day.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Naval Station Norfolk fall under the authority of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, and Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, depending on assignment. The Defense Service Office provides assigned defense counsel for Navy personnel. Naval Station Norfolk’s status as the world’s largest naval station, headquarters of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and home port to the Atlantic Fleet makes it the most strategically significant Navy installation in the United States.
For defense at other installations in the CONUS area, see our CONUS Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Naval Station Norfolk?
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 Station Norfolk. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ. Cases originating at Naval Station Norfolk may be handled on-base or deferred until a ship returns from deployment, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Naval Station Norfolk?
Yes. Naval Station Norfolk is a Navy installation, but the Hampton Roads area is one of the largest military concentrations in the world. Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and NAS Oceana all operate nearby. I represent sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Virginia or worldwide.
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. 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 Station Norfolk?
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 Station Norfolk, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Naval Station Norfolk?
I travel to Virginia 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 spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards, and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Naval Station Norfolk Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Naval Station Norfolk, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.