Tampa, Florida, Military Law Attorneys
At the law offices of Thorn | Lawrence, P.L., in Tampa, Florida, our military attorneys have experience representing sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines, and other military personnel in criminal matters at courts-martial and administrative proceedings. Whether you are facing Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”) charges at a general, special, or summary courts-martial, an Article 32 Investigation or an Article 15 non-judicial proceeding — we have the skills and experience needed to fight for a not guilty or no misconduct finding.
Our law firm's clients include military members stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fort Benning, Mayport Naval Station, Fort Stewart, Eglin Air Force Base, MacDill Air Force Base, Patrick Air Force Base and other US military installations throughout the world. If you are under investigation by the criminal investigative services or other law enforcement agencies, or you have been charged with a military offense, invoke your right to remain silent per Article 31(b) and contact a military defense lawyer as soon as possible to discuss how we can help you protect your rights and prepare a solid defense.
Former Navy JAG Officer Protecting Your Rights
Thorn | Lawrence, P.L. attorney, Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr., is a former United States Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps Officer, with many years of experience representing service members in military justice matters and operational commands with law of military operations and administrative law concerns. Marcus' years of experience have made him knowledgeable of the Military Rules of Evidence, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and the art of advocating before a military judge. As a civilian military defense lawyer, Marcus Lawrence now works to provide service members with strong defense representation in military criminal proceedings. Marcus Lawrence is also currently an "Of Counsel" attorney with the National Military Justice Group.
Vigorous Defense of Military Personnel in Courts-Martial
If you are on active duty service and have been charged with an UCMJ offense, the military criminal defense attorney of Thorn | Lawrence, P.L. can explain your rights in a court-martial hearing, such as: your right to be represented by a detailed military defense counsel and a second military attorney, your right to hire a civilian attorney of your own selection, your right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses; your right to receive and review all of the evidence which will be used against you by the government.
The defense attorneys at Thorn | Lawrence, P.L., can provide critical assistance by aggressively advocating the service member's version of events and providing the presiding military officer with relevant statutory, regulatory, and case law authority to support the service member’s position. If you are being prosecuted under the UCMJ, we will to provide you with an aggressive defense to all charges, including:
- Sexual Offenses — such as homosexual acts, rape, sodomy, forcible sodomy, sexual harassment, indecent assault, and other sexual misconduct and sex crimes
- Computer-Related Crimes — including Internet pornography, Internet solicitation of a minor, Internet fraud
- Fraud and Larceny — bribery, kick-backs, theft, false statements to officials, extortion, and other offenses involving moral turpitude
- Drug and Alcohol Offenses — Possession of illegal drugs such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, prescription medication and other controlled substances, drug distribution, drug sale, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to urinalysis or drug testing, failed mandatory drug tests or failed urinalysis
- Assault Charges — simple assault, aggravated assault, assaulting an officer
- Other crimes: burglary, arson, manslaughter, premeditated murder, crimes
Our military defense attorney also defends clients who have been charged with military offenses such as:
- Offenses Related to Prisoners & Detainees — mistreatment of prisoners or detainees, abuse of detainees or prisoners
- Desertion Charges — UA or AWOL (Unauthorized Absence or Absent With Out Leave): failing to report for duty, desertion
- Orders Violation — failing to follow orders or your superiors, disrespecting or disobeying military orders
- Fraternization — intimate relationships between military personnel of different rank
- Adultery — adultery which is a discredit to service or is prejudicial to good order and discipline
- Other military misconduct — officer misconduct, war crimes, commission of serious offenses, pattern of misconduct
Counseling Service Members in Article 15 Non-Judicial Punishment Proceedings
In addition to defending service members in courts martial, military attorney Marcus S. Lawrence, Jr. advises, counsels and represents clients who are being subjected to Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP). NJPs are non-judicial administrative proceedings where limited punishments can be given for minor disciplinary offenses by a commanding officer or an officer in charge to members of his or her command. Non-judicial punishment proceedings are referred to as "Captain's Mast" in the Navy and Coast Guard and as "office hours" by Marines. Soldiers and airmen refer to these proceedings simply as an "Article 15."
Comprehensive Military Law Services
The legal services we are proud to offer service members extend beyond courts martial and Article 15 proceedings to administrative separation boards, clemency and parole boards, discharge upgrades, appeals to court-martial convening authorities, military service specific appellate courts, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Supreme Court. Whether you are seeking to avoid or upgrade a dishonorable discharge, trying to enforce your rights to reemployment, or appealing a finding of misconduct, we can represent you throughout the military administrative process and military justice system. We vigorously represent military clients in a variety of matters including Service Members Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”) and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”) disputes.
In addition, Thorn | Lawrence, P.L., lawyers can assist civilian contractors and businesses in their commercial relations with the military. Our attorneys regularly assist clients with matters involving contract solicitation, bid proposals, blanket purchase agreements and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR").
For additional information regarding the firm's civil law services please see our Commercial Law practice page. Contact us by phone or email to schedule a consultation regarding your military law concern.
