Serving all 7 continents
Jacksonville, FL Court Martial Defense
Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida operates as a pivotal center for naval aviation training and operations, integrating diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. It supports essential missions including anti-submarine warfare, operational support, and logistical readiness, contributing significantly to the Navy's global maritime strategy and effectiveness.
NAS Jacksonville Personnel Have But One Chance to Fight For Their Careers During a Court Martial
It is often said in war that gunfight is notoriously unkind to the 2nd place finisher and so it is our observation of the court martial process. When a charge under the UCMJ heads to a court martial, there will be a winner and there will be a loser. It’s our job to ensure our clients come out on top. Now, it may not be entirely accurate to say there is but one shot at a court martial as an appeals process does exist. However, we treat that trial like it is our one shot as the finest traditions of naval aviators out of Jacksonville demand as much.
This mentality is perhaps demonstrated best by WW2 naval aviator and United States Marine Lieutenant James Swett. Lt. Swett was born to fly and he was eager to get into the action after putting on the uniform. After flight training, he was assigned to the famed VMF-221 out of Guadalcanal. On April 7th, 1943, he would get his first shot at combat and what a first day it would be.
With over 150 enemy planes coming in for a bombing run, Swett knew that each plane downed would save an American life. Within minutes he had destroyed two Japanese planes before he was hit by American anti-aircraft fire. He was able to stabilize the plane and chose to remain in the sky. That’s when got his third, fourth, and fight enemy kills. In less than an hour during his first day on the job, Swett had become a fighter Ace. Adding two more to his tally, Swett was going for his 8th kill that day when he ran out of ammunition.
That’s when his cockpit was shot to pieces and Swett found himself bleeding heavily and going down into the sea below. His plane crashed into the sea and the straps to his seat were jammed which meant he was going down with the aircraft. That’s when his raft inflated and pulled him to the surface. While recovering at a Naval hospital, he was informed that he would receive the Medal of Honor as well as the revered title of Ace. Not bad for a first day’s work.
Fight the UCMJ Like There is No Tomorrow To Save Tomorrow
There is much we can learn from those men who took to the skies during World War 2 and their tenacity to fight like their lives depended on it is one of them. Granted it helps that the Japanese were there to remind them of it, but good men and women have as much to lose in a general court martial at times. We are talking about their careers, retirements, and yes, sometimes even their very freedom is at stake if they lose.
That’s why at the Bilecki Law Group, we choose an aggressive course of action that fights like our client’s lives and futures depend on it. Because they do. Namesake and founder Tim Bilecki spent over 8 years as senior defense counsel in the military justice system and over a decade as a civilian defense counsel. He can testify that when charges are preferred under the UCMJ, the prosecution team is coming in for the kill. The military justice system does not like to lose, and prosecutors often act as if their own lives and careers hang in the balance in order to get the win. That’s why you need a defense that is willing to fight just as hard. It’s a legal dog fight during a court martial and trust us, it is unkind to the 2nd place finisher.
What Types of Charges Can I Fight Under the UCMJ?
The easy answer is all of them. You can fight any charge levied against you, regardless of how much the military prosecutor likes to insinuate that this is a slam dunk case against you. If someone told James Swett that there was no chance to become an Ace in one day while saving countless American lives, do you think he would have backed down? When it looked dicey after his second kill and he was wounded, he had justification to pack it in, but his will to fight was strong. Below you’ll find a list of just a few of the charges we fight and just note that this list is not all-inclusive.
- UCMJ Article 120 or Article 134 (Sex offenses) – These cases can include rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, sexual assault of a minor, indecent viewing, indecent recording, forcible pandering, indecent exposure, and other Article 120 and Article 120(c) offenses. This is a big one, because when these types of charges are preferred, one’s freedom is routinely on the line. Spending your life in a military prison doesn’t seem like much less punishment than crashing into the ocean and sleeping with the fishes. These are serious charges and unfortunately, all it takes is an allegation upend a career. This is one that deserves a life or death mentality to fight.
- UCMJ Article 121 (Fraud and Larceny) – We defend cases such as conspiracy to defraud the military, BAH fraud, OHA fraud, extortion, larceny, wrongful appropriation, and more. This charge doesn’t always seem as severe, but it can still cost you your career if you lose. Let’s take BAH fraud as an example.
If you entered into a sham marriage to get a little BAH, we’re not going to suggest that you’ll spend the rest of your days behind bars. That being said, investigators can sometimes be overzealous in their pursuit of BAH fraud. Who knows, maybe you actually do love the stripper you married after a weekend out on the town. Some aspects of BAH fraud are objective while others are very subjective. Don’t give up your career over a misunderstanding or innocent mistake. - UCMJ Article 128 (Assault and Violent Crime) – We represent service members facing charges including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, assault, and cases involving self-defense and defense of another. Something tells me if James Swett would have found himself in a bar fight, he might be the type of man to get an “Ace” by knocking out 5 bar rednecks or preppy college boys in one night as well.
The only problem is that if his fighting spirit led him to use any object such as a pool cue or beer bottle, the gallant hero could be facing some serious charges. Fights happen in the military and there doesn’t seem to be any solution to ensuring that they don’t. For civilians the consequences can be light. For members of the military, it can cost them dearly. - UCMJ Article 112a (Drug Crimes) – We defend cases involving drug possession, drug distribution, drug importation, drug manufacturing, drug trafficking, positive urinalysis cases, tampering with urinalysis cases, and more. These cases often involve illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, LSD, methamphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, molly, opioids, analogues, and more.
NAS Jacksonville is a beach town and as such, it attracts its fair share of party goers. Particularly marijuana, this has caught far too many good men and women of the military in a bad spot. At some point, the military is going to have to reconcile that recreational marijuana is now legal in 19 states. Until then, good men and women are going to find themselves in a tough spot if they are caught. It doesn’t have to end a career and there are circumstances that warrant examining. These charges can be fought. - Punitive Articles of the UCMJ 77-134 (Military Specific Offenses) – These include charges such as fraternization, unauthorized absence (AWOL), disobeying a lawful order, conduct unbecoming an officer, and much more. We see these charges come out of NAS Jacksonville all the time and they can catch both junior and senior Sailors alike. Some of the charges come from a legitimate place of enforcing military discipline, other charges come from a silly place that has no bearing on a person’s ability to contribute to the fight. Don’t assume guilt is your only choice when charged.
NAS Jacksonville Is Right In The Bilecki Law Group’s AOR
The Bilecki Law Group is a boutique law firm that operates out of Tampa, Florida. As such, NAS Jacksonville is right in our backyard. Granted, we have clients fly us in to defend them during a court martial from all over the world. The reason is because we specialize in at-trial court martial representation. That’s because we like to fight it out in court because that is your best chance to clear your name for good. If that’s ever not the case, we’ll tell you upfront. But all things being equal, we like to take to the courtroom like James Swett likes to take to the skies.
We also understand the serious nature of what we do. We understand that many members of the military will not get a second chance after a court martial. That’s why pride ourselves on our records and stats because we know what it takes to win. As much as we would like to become a defense “Ace” and win five court martial in one day, it’s typically just one at a time as we give each client our full attention.
Listen, you have a lot to lose if you are under investigation or you are facing a court martial right now. Don’t let the military prosecution convince you that you have no chance of winning. Reach out to us for a free consultation and we’ll let you know exactly what you are facing. As long as you are willing to fight, so are we. James Swett became an Ace and a Medal of Honor recipient during his first day on the job. More importantly, he came away with his life. By the time his career ended he would have 15.5 enemy kills. His career went on and you deserve for your career to carry on as well. You just have to be willing to fight back and if so, we’ll be right there with you.
Facing an Allegation?
Contact Bilecki Law Group
Timothy James Bilecki
Military law attorney
- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- Tampa, FL 33602
Years of Experience
Court Martial Verdicts
Service Members Represented
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Get in Touch
- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- 813-669-3500
- Bilecki Law Group, PLLC, 601 S. Harbour Island BLVD, Suite 109 Tampa, FL 33602