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Fort Benning, GA Court Martial Defense

Fort Benning, Georgia, serves as a critical hub for Army training, blending diverse cultural backgrounds as it hosts recruits, Armor, Infantry, and Ranger Schools. It's a place where many discover their professional path and sometimes encounter UCMJ challenges.

Home Locations United States Court Martial Defense Fort Benning, GA

Consistent Quality of Court-Martial Defense at Fort Moore, Formerly Known as Fort Benning

Though the name has changed from Fort Benning to Fort Moore, the challenges surrounding the application of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) have remained consistent. Our team at Bilecki Law Group has a strong track record of defending service members at what was formerly known as Fort Benning, and we anticipate that our expertise will be equally in demand at Fort Moore.

Fort Moore continues to be a significant training ground, hosting programs such as Army Basic Training, Army Armor School, Army Infantry School, and even the prestigious Army Ranger School. This draws men and women from across the nation, many of whom find themselves temporarily stationed in this pivotal military hub. While Fort Moore serves as a launching pad for numerous professional military careers, it is also a place where Soldiers may encounter difficulties with the UCMJ.

Navigating the UCMJ at Fort Moore

The complexities of the UCMJ are not to be underestimated, and it is crucial to have skilled legal defense when facing charges under it. Whether you’re at the beginning of your military career or a seasoned Soldier, understanding your rights and responsibilities under the UCMJ can make a significant difference in the outcome of any legal proceedings.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice: A Complex System Often Misunderstood by Soldiers at All Levels

Whether arriving at Fort Moore for a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or for specialized training, Soldiers come from diverse backgrounds and career stages. Some may be fresh graduates from Basic Training or Advanced Individual Training (AIT), while others might be seasoned senior enlisted personnel or even decorated Army officers. What many share, however, is a less-than-thorough understanding of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). In fact, available data suggest that a significant number of Soldiers first delve into the specifics of a UCMJ article only after being charged under it.

If you found yourself on this webpage under similar circumstances, rest assured—you are in the right place. The UCMJ serves as a double-edged sword within the military structure. On one hand, it establishes the good order and discipline essential for battlefield success. On the other, it can severely impact the careers of men and women who have risked their lives in combat.

This dichotomy exists largely because professionals within the military justice system—such as military judges and prosecutors—are well-versed in the intricacies of the UCMJ. Conversely, Soldiers charged under the UCMJ often find themselves reliant on court-appointed military defense attorneys who may not have the same level of expertise.

Bridging the Gap

Given this disparity in understanding, there’s a strong case for implementing more comprehensive UCMJ education during both initial training and ongoing career development courses. Providing Soldiers with easier access to qualified legal advice is another step in ensuring that they are not unjustly penalized due to a lack of UCMJ knowledge.

When Does a Soldier at Fort Moore Require Expert Military Defense?

Tim Bilecki, the founder of the Bilecki Law Group, served in the Army for nearly eight years, the majority of which he spent as a defense attorney. Subsequently, he has worked as a civilian defense counsel for over a decade. Tim can attest that the deck is often stacked against the defense. Fort Moore, given its high throughput of Soldiers annually, operates a self-contained military justice system focused on expediency. This haste often transforms the justice system into what could be termed a “plea factory,” where free Army defense attorneys face overwhelming caseloads.

This systemic issue compelled Bilecki to exit the Army and establish his own boutique law firm specializing in military criminal defense. The dedicated time and attention he can offer his clients often disrupt a system engineered to pressure a Soldier into a plea deal. The Bilecki Law Group is committed to securing victories in jury trials, which frequently present the most viable pathway to exoneration. Challenging the military justice system in the courtroom can often catch it unprepared for a robust defense.

Types of Cases Handled by the Bilecki Law Group

At Bilecki Law Group, we focus on high-stakes cases. If you’re a newly minted Private who returned to base three hours late from weekend leave—perhaps because you were finalizing a loan for a new Mustang at a staggering 37% interest rate—chances are, you won’t face a general court-martial. While we don’t typically handle such cases, let us offer a free piece of advice: Don’t go through with that car purchase at such a high interest rate; it’s a financial misstep.

For senior enlisted Soldiers and officers, however, the consequences of a court-martial can be devastating. They stand to lose not only their freedom but potentially their careers and pending retirements as well. While the following list isn’t exhaustive, it gives an indication of the kind of cases we specialize in and the victories we aim to secure.

Specializations in Military Defense Under Various UCMJ Articles at Fort Moore

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. The number of training schools at Ft. Moore often presents a good number of power imbalances that can lead to accusations of sexual misconduct. While true victims rightfully deserve justice, we hold to the self-evident truth that all are innocent until proven guilty. In many cases, an allegation is all that is needed to ruin a career. In even more cases, the allegations are false.
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. The amount of gear and equipment that flows through these training schools is absolutely enormous. When gear comes up missing, someone is held accountable. Right or wrong, that accountability usually falls to senior enlisted or officer commands. This is true even when the one who actually lost the gear makes Private Forrest Gump look like a genius. Those senior leaders deserve a staunch defense against the UCMJ in those cases.
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. The truth of the matter is that Soldiers have been getting into drunken fights since 1776 and this won’t change when the first enlisted club opens up on the moon. Some of these fights can get taken too far and it doesn’t have to ruin a career or a life. Just because you threw a punch doesn’t mean you throw your career away at the same time.
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. Currently, there are huge sections of the country where marijuana is legal and this often poses a problem for trainees coming from those regions. Granted, the military has its prohibition, but cultural norms are not so easily squashed. A drug offense deserves a staunch defense as well.
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. Most of our clients are NCO, Senior NCO, and Officers. That’s because they have the most to lose when it comes to a court martial and we are the heavy hitters in the military court martial defense industry. There is much that can go wrong for a senior NCO or Officer according to the UCMJ and they deserve to fight for their careers they have rightfully earned.

Where Can You Find a Court Martial Defense Attorney Near Ft. Moore?

You can find us at our office in Tampa, Florida. However, don’t let that deceive you into thinking that Ft. Moore is not right in the middle of our AOR. Because we are the heavy hitters in the industry, we’ve had senior enlisted, officers, and even the family of junior enlisted fly us all over the world to represent them in court. That’s because we specialize in taking the fight to the courtroom and we excel at winning at trial. We start off every prospective client with a free consultation and we will be 100% honest with you.

Fort Benning Or Fort Moore, Take the Fight Straight To The Military Justice System

So, if you reach out to us, we are going to ensure the case is a mutual match. Moreover, if we don’t take your case, we are not going to refer you out to another law for some type of commission. It is just an honest and candid conversation between us. If, however, we do take your case, the fight begins in earnest. The team here at the Bilecki Law Group is aggressive and we are not looking to take the first plea that comes our way. We are looking to take the fight right to the military justice system and defend the full sum of your honor, career, and retirement.

We understand that if you have served in the military for any length of time, you know of cases where the UCMJ has proved righteous and true. You also know cases where it has screwed over a good man or woman. We wish it were not so, but we are not naive about the matter. That’s why we fight. We fight for you and the career you deserve. For many of you, Ft. Moore was supposed to be a training stop over and now you find yourself staring at the end of your military career as a result of the UCMJ. You can fight back and we’d be honored to be right by your side while you do.

Facing an Allegation?
Contact Bilecki Law Group

Timothy James Bilecki

Military law attorney

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