USAG BAVARIA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
USAG Bavaria 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 soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at USAG Bavaria: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at USAG Bavaria 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 USAG Bavaria
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. 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 USAG Bavaria, 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 USAG Bavaria
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria falls under U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). The 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Rose Barracks is assigned to V Corps. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically a general officer within the V Corps or USAREUR-AF chain of command. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment commander and other unit commanders can convene special and summary courts-martial for soldiers 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 USAG Bavaria.
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 administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at USAG Bavaria
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At USAG Bavaria, 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). 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 military 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 for years. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria
U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria is headquartered at Tower Barracks in Grafenwöhr and is the largest U.S. Army garrison outside the United States, supporting approximately 40,000 soldiers, civilians, and family members across four geographically dispersed communities. The garrison was formed in 2013 when three separate garrisons — Grafenwöhr, Hohenfels, and Garmisch — were consolidated into a single installation management command. USAG Bavaria oversees Tower Barracks at Grafenwöhr, Rose Barracks at Vilseck, the Hohenfels Training Area, and Artillery Kaserne at Garmisch, providing base operations and community support to all U.S. personnel across the four sites. The garrison also directly supports the 7th Army Training Command, the largest U.S. Army training command outside the continental United States, and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the Army’s only permanently forward-deployed Stryker brigade in Europe.
The Grafenwöhr Training Area, at 232 square kilometers the largest U.S. Army training area in Europe, was established in 1907 by the Royal Bavarian Army, with the first artillery round fired on June 30, 1910. During the Cold War, Grafenwöhr served as the centerpiece of U.S. Army training in Europe, training forces from a quarter-million-strong garrison. Today, Tower Barracks at Grafenwöhr serves as the headquarters of the 7th Army Training Command, which resources training readiness for U.S. Army Europe and Africa forces, NATO allies, and partner nations across the U.S. European Command area of operations through seven subordinate directorates, including the Grafenwöhr Training Area, the Joint Multinational Simulation Center, and the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Rose Barracks at Vilseck, approximately 20 minutes from Grafenwöhr, has been home to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment since 2006. The regiment, founded in 1836 and known as the Second Dragoons, is the longest continuously serving regiment in the U.S. Army, with approximately 5,000 soldiers across seven squadrons equipped with Stryker combat vehicles. The 41st Field Artillery Brigade, reactivated at Tower Barracks in 2018, operates M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. The Hohenfels Training Area, covering 163 square kilometers, is home to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), the U.S. Army’s only forward-stationed Combat Training Center. JMRC is the only U.S. Army training center that routinely trains multinational soldiers, hosting 60,000-plus U.S. and allied soldiers annually in exercises such as Saber Junction, which regularly bring together thousands of participants from 15 or more nations. The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Hohenfels, provides opposing forces for these rotations. The Garmisch community includes Artillery Kaserne, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the NATO School Oberammergau. Annually, approximately 180,000 troops from more than 35 countries train at Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels combined.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at USAG Bavaria are conducted under the authority of V Corps and U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The Army Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel. USAG Bavaria’s role as the largest U.S. Army garrison outside the United States, its network of four installations across Bavaria, and its mission supporting the 7th Army Training Command and 2nd Cavalry Regiment make it one of the most strategically important Army installations in Europe.
For defense at other installations in Germany, see our Germany Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at USAG Bavaria?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for soldiers at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. 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 USAG Bavaria?
Yes. USAG Bavaria is an Army garrison, but service members from other branches are stationed or rotate through the area for training. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Germany.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). TDS 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 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 USAG Bavaria?
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 USAG Bavaria, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to USAG Bavaria?
I travel to Germany 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 USAG Bavaria Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.