USAG OKINAWA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
USAG Okinawa 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 USAG Okinawa. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at USAG Okinawa: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at USAG Okinawa 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 Okinawa
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at USAG Okinawa. 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 Okinawa, 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 Okinawa
The convening authority for Army personnel on Okinawa depends on your assignment. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, U.S. Army Japan (USARJ). The 10th Support Group commander and the USAG Okinawa commander can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under their command. Battalion and detachment commanders can convene summary courts-martial for their assigned personnel.
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 Okinawa.
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 USAG Okinawa
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At USAG Okinawa, 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 Army 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 Japan 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 USAG Okinawa
U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa is a United States Army installation headquartered at Torii Station in Yomitan, on the western coast of Okinawa, Japan. It is the main Army garrison on Okinawa and operates under U.S. Army Japan (USARJ). The garrison was originally established as the Sobe Communication Station in the mid-1950s and has undergone several reorganizations and name changes over the decades. In March 2014, it was officially redesignated U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa to reflect its role supporting Army personnel across the entire island.
The garrison’s mission is to deliver installation support, protection, and sustainment to enhance readiness and quality of life for Army communities on Okinawa. The senior Army unit on the island is the 10th Support Group (Regional), headquartered at Torii Station. The 10th Support Group provides administrative control for all Army organizations on Okinawa and coordinates base support and contingency operations across the Indo-Pacific region. With approximately 450 garrison personnel, USAG Okinawa supports Army soldiers across eight sub-installations on the island, including Torii Station, Camp Foster, Camp Kinser, Fort Buckner, White Beach, and Naha Military Port.
Tenant commands at Torii Station include 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 247th Military Police Detachment, the 349th Signal Company, and the 835th Transportation Battalion. The garrison is responsible for receiving and distributing cargo, managing the island’s military fuel supply, and conducting port operations. The Torii Medical Clinic, dedicated to Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Desmond Doss, provides medical care to the Army community. Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a combat medic during the Battle of Okinawa, saved 75 men and became the only conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.
USAG Okinawa supports Indo-Pacific Command readiness and the U.S.-Japan alliance through logistics cooperation and bilateral training with Japanese forces. The garrison is one of several U.S. military installations on Okinawa, alongside Kadena Air Base, Camp Foster, MCAS Futenma, Camp Schwab, Camp Hansen, Camp Kinser, and Camp Courtney. Okinawa hosts approximately two-thirds of the 50,000 U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Soldiers at any of these installations who face military discipline need a defense lawyer who understands the unique legal landscape of Okinawa.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings for Army personnel on Okinawa are conducted under the authority of U.S. Army Japan commanders. The Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel for Army personnel. If you are facing discipline at USAG Okinawa, you need a defense lawyer who understands the Army justice system — and who is not afraid to fight for you.
For defense at other installations on Okinawa, see our Okinawa Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at USAG Okinawa?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for soldiers at USAG Okinawa. 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 Okinawa?
Yes. USAG Okinawa is an Army installation, but Army personnel are spread across multiple installations on the island, often working alongside Marines, sailors, and airmen. I represent soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Japan.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of 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 Japan. 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 Okinawa?
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 Okinawa, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to USAG Okinawa?
I travel to Japan 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 Japan 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 USAG Okinawa Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at USAG Okinawa, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.