Servicemembers accused of crimes are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which although it largely mirrors civilian law can differ in some substantial ways. For instance, when servicemembers are accused of a crime or other serious misconduct they can be faced with having to decide between defending themselves in the nonjudicial punishment (NJP) forum or through a court-martial.  Every branch of the military has an NJP avenue based upon Article 15, UCMJ (in the Navy it is commonly referred to as Captain's Mast, and in the Marines as Office Hours). A court-martial is the formal court process (e.g., a jury trial).  When a member's command has offered NJP to adjudicate the member's alleged misconduct, the member is faced with deciding whether to accept that as the forum, or by declining NJP, it will most likely mean the matter will be handled through a court-martial (it is possible but highly unlikely that the member's command will choose to handle the matter with the less severe option of administrative paperwork when NJP is declined).

A common misconception about NJP is that it is an admission of guilt.  It is not, rather, it is merely your decision to have the matter adjudicated by your Commander instead of a jury trial.  The decision over choosing NJP or some other forum is often very difficult, and one that may involve repercussions including the possibility of the end of a military career or jail time. A servicemember should not take this decision lightly. Below are just a few things to consider when deciding between NJP or a court-martial.

Standard of Proof

The “standard of proof” is the legal term for the burden the government has to prove its case. The standard of proof in NJP is much lower (or even non-existent) than a court-martial's “beyond a reasonable doubt” requirement.  Meaning, in NJP the military does not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the allegations were committed, rather, the evidence just has to be sufficient enough in the Commander's mind that the offenses were likely committed by the member.  In most instances, the Commander's gut-feeling is enough.

Cost

Admittedly, hiring a private attorney can be costly, and costs can arise significantly when a case goes to trial. Trial preparation, witnesses, discovery can all raise the cost.  And many military defense counsels are highly competent and can serve you at no cost.  However, it is rare that you get to choose your own military defense counsel, and sometimes members find that they lack the confidence in their assigned military defense counsel (for whatever reason), or the ramifications are just so large, that they consider shopping for their own, more experienced, private attorney.

Your Career

Another important factor for you to consider is your length of service.  If for example, you are two years from retirement, or facing significant jail time, then you will want to take the route that will offer you the best chance of preserving your pension, even if it means the additional cost of hiring your own attorney to ensure you have put your best foot forward in your defense.

Assessing the Risk

In the end, it is your decision to decide whether to accept NJP as the forum or pursue the matter through a court-martial. You should consult with your military defense counsel and seek a consultation with an experienced civilian attorney. You must consider all the charges, allegations, and evidence and weigh your options carefully. Make sure you stay on top of any pending deadlines so that you do not miss any opportunities to best defend yourself, because the decision on which forum to choose must typically be made within just a few days from when you receive the NJP offer.

The attorneys at Patriots Law Group, as former Air Force JAGs, have defended and prosecuted servicemembers in the military justice system and have ample experience in criminal defense. If you or someone you know is ever looking for a second-opinion over this difficult decision, call or visit our office for a free consultation.

DISCLAIMER:  The information above is for general informational purposes only.  No attorney-client relationship is intended or created by this information.  Each individual situation is different and therefore a formal in-person consultation is necessary before any specific advice may be relied upon as appropriate and accurate for a given situation. Please call Patriots Law Group at 301-952-9000 to set up a consultation if you wish to obtain specific legal advice you may rely upon. We serve clients anywhere in the world, with in-person consultations available at our Suitland, MD office — right next to Andrews Air Force Base — for clients in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.