Lance Wood and Christopher Cazares are experienced military law lawyers who left active duty
military careers in their prime in order to pursue their passion for providing the best possible
military trial defense services to military members worldwide using a unique team approach.
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Thirty-seven days after 9/11, I raised my hand and swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States when I joined the United States Air Force JAG Corps. As a civilian military attorney, I continue to uphold that oath and defend my clients by using the Constitution to fight for justice. There are no sides to justice. There is only justice. I have seen a case from every angle. Over my nearly ten-year Air Force career, I served as a prosecutor, defense counsel and appellate defense counsel. In 2011, I left active duty after being recognized as the #1 Senior Defense Counsel in the Air Force. I left the Air Force because my next job was going to be a deputy prosecutor in a base legal office. After years as a defense counsel, I could not and would not return to that side of the aisle. My life is still dedicated to upholding and defending the Constitution by fighting against the prosecution machine of the armed forces. The Constitution is not a technicality; it is a document our Founding Fathers created to make sure justice is preserved. There is no greater calling than defending those who defend America.
Christopher Cazares
military law lawyers
In over ten years as an attorney, I have served thousands of people in need. I have seen lives change in the blink of an eye with the reading of a verdict. There is no question that the highest stakes are in criminal litigation. I commissioned in the United States Air Force in July of 2001. In 2005, I became a JAG and served as a military defense lawyer, prosecutor, and instructor. I have served as defense counsel on a death penalty case, been ranked the number one prosecutor, and trained hundreds of my fellow counsel. I have worked hundreds of cases and seen some of the best and worst counsel in the military justice system. It is my opinion that truly meeting the needs of our clients in the criminal justice arena requires a life’s work. I have dedicated my life to meeting the needs of those clients.
Products And Services
Court Martial
MILITARY LAW AND THE COURT MARTIAL PROCESS
Members of the military who are accused of crimes defined in the “Punitive Articles” section of the UCMJ will often face a court-martial trial. Many of these crimes are similar to civilian crimes, such as larceny, arson, manslaughter, and conspiracy. Other crimes in the UCMJ are specific to the military such as mutiny, desertion, and insubordination. Regardless of their branch, all members of the military who violate the UCMJ are subject to a potential court-martial. Courts-martial are run in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Manual for Courts-Martial, which is issued by the President of the United States.
Drug Offense
A drug offense conviction could be potentially career-ending for a member of the military. And with today’s climate on drug use and abuse, a drug offense can bear more weight on the defendant’s reputation. If you’ve been accused of ingesting, possessing or manufacturing illegal substances, your military career is at risk and you need to contact the pros at Military Trial Defenders right away. We have a proven track record and are experienced in military trial defense.
UCMJ Defense
The Uniform Code of Military Justice is federal law enacted by Congress to provide regulations that apply to all US military members. It defines the military justice system and defines military criminal offenses. With over 30 years of combined experience, our attorneys are well-versed in the many articles of the UCMJ. In a time in which military members are often assumed guilty before being proven so, we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that servicemen and women receive justice. UCMJ Articles 77-134 are called the “punitive articles”. These articles lay out specific offenses which can result in punishment by court-martial. UCMJ attorneys have extensive knowledge on each of these articles and are thus able to defend those who have been accused of violating them.
Non Judicial Punishment
Article 15 of the UCMJ concerns non-judicial punishment for military members. This Article applies when Command deals with minor violations or infractions of the UCMJ. Usually referred to in the Army and Air Force as an “Article 15”, this kind of punishment is often called a “Captain’s Mast” in the Navy and Marines. It’s also often referred to as an NJP (nonjudicial punishment). In summary, Article 15 permits commanders to administratively discipline troops without a court-martial. These punishments can range from reprimand to reduction in rank, correctional custody, loss of pay, extra duty, and/or several restrictions. Receiving an Article 15 does not constitute a criminal conviction, but it can be placed on the individual’s service record. The nonjudicial punishment process is governed by Part V of the Manual for Courts-Martial and by the regulations of each service branch.
Discharge Bonds
Members of the military are sometimes separated from military service involuntarily by administrative discharge. The basis for this kind of separation can range from health to misconduct to criminal conviction. Based on the rank and service time of the individual, some service members are entitled to board processing rather than notification (written) processing. The service member’s command must notify him or her in writing of the basis for the separation and the recommended characterization of service. At this point, the service member needs qualified legal counsel to present their side of the story including the entirety of the military member’s record. This information is considered in the final decision, and your commander may decide not to proceed after receiving these materials. For this reason, it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable discharge board attorney.
Child Exploitation
According to recently compiled data, the docket in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces is flooded with cases involving video crimes against children. In fact, roughly two-thirds of the pending appeal cases are related to the sexualization of minors. Importantly, this does not mean that the majority of military personnel are engaging in disparaging acts. It may suggest, however, that there are still many unclear lines and unanswered questions regarding online behavior, and using the internet can be more dangerous than we might often realize.
The military justice system relentlessly pursues and roots out suspects involved in child related crimes. Without the best possible defense, an accused service member could face incarceration for decades, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and several other life-altering possible outcomes. If you have been charged or are under investigation for possession, distribution, or transportation of illegal material, it’s absolutely vital that you hire an experienced lawyer in order to get the best possible outcome for your case. These cases are incredibly challenging and often complex, requiring a computer forensic specialist and other experts as members of the defense team. Do not attempt to handle this kind of case without an experienced and knowledgeable defense.
Article 134
IMPROPER SEXUAL CONDUCT UNDER ARTICLE 134
Within the US Armed Forces, certain sex acts are considered improper sexual conduct and can result in a court-martial. Under Article 134 of the UCMJ, a military court is granted the discretion to punish any actions that bring discredit or dishonor to the Armed Forces.
Assault
Being charged with assault is a very serious matter because a conviction involves heavy consequences. Many times in these cases, the accused is viewed as guilty regardless of evidence or reason. Being accused can in itself have an impact on your career even if the accusation is false.
Fraternization
MILITARY LAWYERS ASSISTING IN CASES OF FRATERNIZATION
Every branch of the military prohibits personal and business relationships between enlisted personnel and officers. Any relationship that includes dating, cohabitation, or any form of sexual relationship is considered a personal relationship. Relationships that involve borrowing or loaning money or any other business interaction is considered a business relationship.
