YOKOTA COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Yokota 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 Yokota Air Base. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense Lawyer at Yokota Air Base: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Yokota Air Base 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 Yokota Air Base
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Yokota. 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 Yokota, 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 Yokota Air Base
The convening authority at Yokota depends on your assignment. For Air Force personnel stationed at Yokota, the primary General Court-Martial Convening Authority is the Commander, 5th Air Force. The Commander, 374th Airlift Wing serves as the installation commander and can convene special and summary courts-martial. Squadron commanders may convene summary courts-martial for personnel assigned to their units.
For personnel assigned to headquarters staffs, such as U.S. Forces Japan, the convening authority may differ depending on your chain of command and assignment. Tenant units may fall under different convening authorities depending on their parent organizations.
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 Yokota.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Air Force can process you for administrative separation through a Board of Inquiry or an Administrative Discharge Board. A Board of Inquiry is used for officers. An Administrative Discharge Board is used for enlisted service members.
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 Air Force’s administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Yokota Air Base
At Yokota, your commanding officer can impose non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ 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. Article 15 punishments can include restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
The Air Force provides defense counsel through the Area Defense Counsel (ADC). ADC 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 Air Force 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 Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base is a United States Air Force installation located in the Tama Area of Western Tokyo, Japan. The base serves as the headquarters for U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and 5th Air Force, making it one of the most strategically important U.S. military installations in the Indo-Pacific. The host unit is the 374th Airlift Wing, the only tactical airlift wing in Pacific Air Forces.
The 374th Airlift Wing operates the C-130J Super Hercules and C-12J Huron aircraft. It provides intra-theater airlift for passengers, cargo, and mail throughout the Western Pacific. The wing includes four groups — Operations, Maintenance, Mission Support, and Medical — with 18 squadrons and approximately 3,500 military members. The base supports 59 mission partners and a total base populace of approximately 11,500.
Yokota is also home to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command, United Nations Command-Rear, the 515th Air Mobility Operations Group, American Forces Network Tokyo, and U.S. Space Forces-Japan. The base controls the largest U.S. airspace outside the United States, with approximately 75,000 flight operations per year.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted regularly at Yokota. The 5th Air Force Staff Judge Advocate’s office provides legal support and prosecution services. If you are facing discipline at Yokota, you need a defense lawyer who understands the Air Force justice system — and who is not afraid to fight for you.
For defense at other installations in Japan, see our Japan Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Yokota Air Base?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative discharge boards, Article 15 proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for service members at Yokota Air Base. 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 Yokota Air Base?
Yes. While Yokota is primarily an Air Force installation, it hosts service members from multiple branches, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel assigned to tenant units. I represent service members from all branches facing military discipline anywhere in Japan.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the ADC?
ADC 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 Air Force. 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 Yokota Air Base?
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 Yokota, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Yokota Air Base?
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 Yokota Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Yokota Air Base, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.