VICENZA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Vicenza 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 Vicenza. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Vicenza: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Vicenza 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 Vicenza
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Vicenza. 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 Vicenza, 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 Vicenza
Vicenza is home to the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). SETAF-AF serves as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command and is the U.S. Army’s globally responsive, forward-deployed Joint Task Force headquarters for three combatant commands. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the SETAF-AF commanding general. The Special Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the 173rd Airborne Brigade commander.
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 staff. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or 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 Vicenza.
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 Vicenza
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Vicenza, 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 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.
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 Vicenza
U.S. Army Garrison Italy is headquartered at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, a city in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy approximately 25 miles west of Venice. The garrison manages the Vicenza Military Community, which encompasses two primary installations — Caserma Ederle and Caserma Del Din — as well as nearby Longare and Camp Darby between Pisa and Livorno. Caserma Ederle, named after Major Carlo Ederle, an Italian hero of World War I and recipient of the Gold Medal for Military Valor, serves as the headquarters of U.S. Army Garrison Italy and the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). Caserma Del Din, opened in 2013 on the site of the former Vicenza airfield, serves as the headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The garrison supports more than 30 tenant units and approximately 16,000 service members, family members, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians. SETAF-AF is assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) and serves as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command, responsible for synchronizing Army activities across the African continent while maintaining readiness for crisis response across Europe and Africa. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the Sky Soldiers, is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, with approximately 3,300 paratroopers across five battalions based in Vicenza and Grafenwohr, Germany. Additional units at Vicenza include the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, the 414th Contracting Support Brigade, the 509th Signal Battalion, and the 14th Transportation Battalion. The Vicenza Military Community includes a small number of airmen and sailors alongside the predominantly Army population.
The U.S. military presence in Vicenza dates to the liberation of northern Italy from German occupation in April 1945. In 1951, the United States and Italy signed an agreement permitting the U.S. to operate lines of communication across Italy, leading to the establishment of Camp Darby near Livorno, named for Brigadier General William O. Darby, who was killed in action in northern Italy on April 30, 1945. In 1955, following the withdrawal of U.S. occupation forces from Austria under the Austrian State Treaty, the Southern European Task Force (SETAF) was activated on October 2, 1955, at Camp Darby, with the majority of troops stationed at Vicenza. In 1965, SETAF headquarters was permanently relocated to Caserma Ederle. During the Cold War, SETAF was tasked with defending the Alpine passes against a potential Soviet invasion and safeguarding nuclear weapons storage sites in northern Italy. On June 12, 2000, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was reactivated at Vicenza, continuing the legacy of the historic airborne unit. In December 2008, SETAF was redesignated as U.S. Army Africa (USARAF), serving as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command. In 2013, Caserma Del Din was opened to consolidate the 173rd Airborne Brigade headquarters and battalions relocating from Bamberg, Germany. In November 2020, USARAF was redesignated as SETAF-AF following the consolidation of U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa into U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). In October 2025, SETAF-AF celebrated its 70th anniversary.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Vicenza are conducted under the authority of the USAREUR-AF chain of command, with the SETAF-AF commanding general serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and the 173rd Airborne Brigade commander serving as the Special Court-Martial Convening Authority. Assigned defense counsel are provided through the Trial Defense Service. Vicenza’s role as headquarters of SETAF-AF and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, its strategic location in northeastern Italy, and its support of operations across three combatant commands make it one of the most important U.S. Army installations in Europe.
For defense at other installations in Italy, see our Italy Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Vicenza?
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 Vicenza. 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 Vicenza?
Yes. While Vicenza is primarily a U.S. Army installation, service members from other branches are sometimes assigned or detailed here. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Italy.
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 Vicenza?
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 Vicenza, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Vicenza?
I travel to Italy 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 Vicenza Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Vicenza, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.