SCHOFIELD BARRACKS COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Schofield Barracks 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 Schofield Barracks. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense Lawyer at Schofield Barracks: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Schofield Barracks 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 Schofield Barracks
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Schofield Barracks. 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 Schofield Barracks, 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 Schofield Barracks
The convening authority at Schofield Barracks depends on your assignment. For soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, 25th Infantry Division. For soldiers assigned to other U.S. Army Hawaii units, the convening authority may be the Commander, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC). Brigade commanders at Schofield Barracks 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 Schofield Barracks.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Army 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 soldiers.
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 Army administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Schofield Barracks
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Schofield Barracks, 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 Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). The TDS office for Hawaii is located on Wheeler Army Airfield, adjacent to Schofield Barracks. TDS 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 Army reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I am based in Honolulu, and Schofield Barracks is right here on Oahu. I have been defending 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 Schofield Barracks
Schofield Barracks is a United States Army installation located in central Oahu, in the Wahiawa District of Hawaii. The post was established in 1908 to provide mobile defense of Pearl Harbor and the island of Oahu. It is named after Lieutenant General John McAllister Schofield, who served as Commanding General of the United States Army from 1888 to 1895. Schofield visited Hawaii in 1872 and recommended the establishment of a naval base at Pearl Harbor. The installation spans 17,725 acres between the Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges. Author James Jones, who served at Schofield, described it in From Here to Eternity as “the most beautiful army post the U.S. has or ever had.” The post has been home to the 25th Infantry Division, nicknamed “Tropic Lightning,” since the division was activated on October 1, 1941 — just over two months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 25th ID saw combat in World War II at Guadalcanal and Luzon, in Korea, in Vietnam, and in the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Schofield Barracks serves as the headquarters for United States Army Hawaii (USARHAW) and operates under U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC). The installation is home to the 25th Infantry Division headquarters, the 8th Military Police Brigade, the 130th Engineer Brigade, the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 516th Signal Brigade, and the 45th Sustainment Brigade. The Army Criminal Investigation Division maintains its Pacific Field Office on the installation. In 2014, the 25th Infantry Division opened the Jungle Operations Training Center at Schofield — the first such Army school since the closure of the Jungle Warfare School at Fort Sherman, Panama. Schofield Barracks is adjacent to Wheeler Army Airfield, and approximately 17 miles from Honolulu. The installation employs approximately 16,000 soldiers and civilian personnel.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted at Schofield Barracks under the authority of the 25th Infantry Division and USARPAC commanders. The Army Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel from its office on Wheeler Army Airfield. Schofield Barracks is one of three major Army installations on Oahu, alongside Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center, making Hawaii a significant hub for Army operations in the 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 Schofield Barracks?
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 Schofield Barracks. 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 Schofield Barracks?
Yes. Schofield Barracks is an Army installation, but Oahu is home to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. I represent soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Hawaii.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
TDS 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 Army. 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 Schofield Barracks?
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 Schofield Barracks, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Schofield Barracks?
I have been defending 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 a Schofield Barracks Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Schofield Barracks, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.