UCMJ ARTICLE 134: FIREARM, DISCHARGING THROUGH NEGLIGENCE
At Bilecki Law Group, We believe every service member has earned their right to an aggressive defense on their day in court. We specialize in taking the fight to the prosecution and winning cases that others said were unwinnable.
You have been accused by law enforcement of discharging a firearm through negligence, forcing you to confront the possibility of a court martial and a conviction under Article 134 of the UCMJ.
You may be unsure of what to do next, who to turn to, or how to proceed. Do you let a JAG attorney represent you, or do you look outside the military’s justice system for help?
When a soldier of the United States armed forces is confronted with charges like this, it is critical that he or she seek out the most experienced military attorney possible to defend their interests in court. Not doing so could lead to reduced pay, confinement, or even the loss of their military career.
- A conviction could lead to up to three months of reduced pay, leaving your family behind on bills or even unable to put food on the table.
- In addition to a reduction in pay, you could be incarcerated for up to three months, all because of simple mistake for a victimless crime.
- Lastly, a conviction could leave you unable to gain further ranks in the military. You will be passed up for promotion time and again by service members with cleaner records.
A conviction under Article 134 could destroy your military career forever. Do not take the risk. Contact Bilecki Law Group to start fighting back TODAY.
UCMJ Elements
Every article of the UCMJ requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a handful of critical assumptions—known as elements—to convict you of a crime. A soldier of the U.S. armed forces may be convicted of discharging a firearm through negligence if the following elements are established by prosecutors in court:
- That the accused discharged a firearm;
- That such discharge was caused by the negligence of the accused; and
- That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
Summary of the Elements of Article 134 (Firearm, Discharging Through Negligence): A straightforward offense, the courts will focus on whether or not the accused was a) the individual who shot the gun, b) that the shot was made in negligence, and c) that the offense brought dishonor to the military as a whole.
Fighting Back Against Charges
How the gun was fired—and even who fired the gun in the first place—is not always as clear cut as the prosecution makes it out to be. Perhaps a mistake was made, yes, but was it made due to the negligence of the accused, or were other factors at play? Was anyone harmed, or is this a victimless crime?
The point is, you are not helpless against the military’s prosecutors and you do not have to accept their narrative against you as the truth. A hard-hitting military defense attorney is more than capable of evening the odds and securing a positive outcome for you in court. And few law firms have been as capable of delivering those outcomes than Bilecki Law Group.
Why Soldiers Choose Us To Represent Them
- We have represented hundreds of service members: Few law firms can claim to have represented hundreds of service members both inside the military’s justice system as JAG officers and outside the military in a private capacity.
- We have the resources to take on the government: No individual attorney can stand against the government’s overwhelming manpower and financial capabilities. That’s why Bilecki Law Group relies on an experienced team of in-house paralegals, investigators, and specialists to improve our client’s odds in court.
- We are a law firm with global reach: Bilecki Law Group is based out of Hawaii, giving us fast access to hundreds of military installations across the Pacific, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.
Do you face a looming court-martial for discharging a firearm through negligence? Do not risk the worst-case scenario. Contact our law firm TODAY to secure the best results in court.
Experienced Military Defense Lawyers for Article 134 Charges
Assuming the military’s prosecutors cannot convict you of your alleged crimes could be wishful thinking that destroys your military career and jeopardizes everything you’ve worked so hard to build. When you are ready to make a final decision with regards to a military defense attorney, always trust experience, and always go with the most reputable law firm you can find.
Bilecki Law Group has been helping service members fight back against Article 134 charges for decades. Learn more about our cases below and find out why hundreds of service members choose us to represent their interests in court.
Maximum Possible Punishment for Negligently Discharging Your Firearm
A soldier who is convicted of negligently discharging a firearm under Article 134 of the UCMJ will face a maximum sentence of:
- Confinement for 3 months
- Forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 3 months
Will Bilecki Law Group Travel to Me if I Am Stationed Abroad?
Yes. Bilecki Law Group is one of the only military defense law firms with a truly global reach. We can have you represented regardless of your location or where you are stationed.
