Experienced Court-Martial Defense Lawyer
- Former Navy JAG.
- Certified by the Judge Advocate General as a Specialist in UCMJ trials.
- 15+ years court-martial experience.
- Advanced training in defending drug crimes, sex crimes, and computer crimes.
To say thank you seems so inadequate. From the first day that you represented [my son] after he was incarcerated to the day he was found not guilty by the military jury, you were thoroughly prepared and performed exceptionally well. You actually cared about [my son's] case. Anyone would be lucky to have you represent them in a court of civil or military law. I will be forever grateful.
free court-martial case consultation
Let Korody Law provide you a free case consultation.
court-martial
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
Why hire a civilian defense attorney?
Attorney Patrick Korody has handled hundreds of court-martials and has over 15 years UMCJ military law experience. Most assigned JAGs have less than 3 years UCMJ military law experience. He also has taken cases to trial in state and federal court.
What types of court-martial cases do you take?
We represent clients facing summary court-martial, special court-martial, and general court-martial. We represent clients at UCMJ Article 32 Preliminary Hearings. We have experience with all UCMJ offenses and advanced training to defend computer crimes, drug crimes, and sex crimes.
What about my JAG lawyer?
We work side-by-side with detailed military defense lawyers, establishing a team to defense you at your court-martial. Hiring Korody Law means you have a very experienced and talented lawyer leading your defense team both during trial preparation and at the court-martial trial.
What if I am stationed OCONUS?
Our offices are located in Jacksonville, FL but we represent military members around the world. We have represented members in Bahrain, Iraq, Hawaii, Alaska, and everywhere in between.
What are the consequences if I am found guilty at court-martial?
A court-martial conviction is considered a federal conviction. the UCMJ is actually federal law – it is part of the United States Code just like federal criminal statutes that apply to every person in the United States. An accused (defendant) at court-martial, depending on the specific UCMJ charges, can be sentened to years in the brig, reduction in paygrade, forfeiture of pay, and punitive discharge (bad conduct discharge or dishonorable discharge).
How long does a court-martial take?
A court-martial trial generally lasts a week. The whole court-martial process – from charging through trial – can take a year, depending on the complexity of the case and witness availability. If a plea agreement (called a Pretrial Agreement or “PTA) is reached, the length of the case been shortened. Courts-martial where the accused is in the brig (pretrial confinement) usually take precendent and move faster.
Types of Courts-Martial
General Court-Martial
A felony level court. Sentence is normally the maximum for the offense. Can award a dishonorable discharge. Must waive or have an Article 32 Preliminary Hearing prior to referral.
Special Court-Martial
A misdemeanor level court. Confinement sentence for all offenses cannot exceed 12 months. If not a “military judge alone” special court-martial, can award a bad conduct discharge.
Summary Court-Martial
Does not result in a conviction. Possible punishment depends on rank. No right to a jury. Officer hearing case is not a judge. No right to defense counsel. Member can refuse.
Article 32 Preliminary Hearing
An Article 32 Preliminary Hearing is a court-martial procedural hearing to determine whether probable cause exists that the charged offenses were committed by the accused; whether military jurisdiction over the accused and the offenses exists; and to make a recommendation as to disposition, i.e. should the case proceed to a general court-martial.
The hearing is presided over by an officer, normally a JAG, who will make a written report with the above findings and recommendations. The accused is entitled to be present at the Article 32 Preliminary Hearing. An accused can be made present by VTC, Zoom, or other technology. The prosecutor (government counsel) will present the evidence to establish the accused committed the offenses and jurisdiction, normally by submitting investigative reports. An accused is entitled to be represented by counsel who can present a case that the accused did not commit the offenses or that the appropriate forum is not to refer the charges to general court-martial.
Our Battleground
Mr. Korody has litigated cases at various reserve centers throughout the United States and the following military installations:
- Naval Submarine Base New London, CT
- Naval Station Newport, RI
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, PA
- Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ
- Naval Station Norfolk, VA
- Naval Air Station Oceana, VA
- Washington Navy Yard, DC
- United States Naval Academy, MD
- Fort Bragg, NC
- Camp Lejeune, NC
- Naval Station Mayport, FL
- Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL
- Kings Bay Submarine Base, GA
- Naval Air Station Key West, FL
- SouthCom, Miami, FL
- Naval Support Activity Panama City, FL
- Naval Hospital Pensacola, FL
- Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL
- Center for Information Dominance, Corry Station, FL
- Naval Air Station Whiting Field, FL
- Eglin Air Force Base, FL
- Hurlburt Field, FL
- Fort Polk, LA
- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK
- Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, MS
- Stennis Space Center, MS
- Naval Support Activity New Orleans, LA
- Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, LA
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, LA
- Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, AL
- Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Norfolk, VA
- Coast Guard 8thDistrict, New Orleans, LA
- Tinker Air Force Base, OK
- Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, TX
- Lackland Air Force Base, TX
- Fort Sam Houston, TX
- Naval Base San Diego, CA
- Naval Air Station North Island, CA
- Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Bangor, WA
- Naval Hospital Bremerton, WA
- Naval Station Everett, WA
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA
- Baghdad, Iraq
Mr. Korody is available to represent members of the military throughout the United States and worldwide.
Mr. Korody represents clients at Article 32, UCMJ Preliminary Hearings, Special Courts-Martial, and General Courts-Martial for all offenses under the UCMJ, including:
- Sexual assault and other sex offenses
- Drug use (urinalysis), possession, introduction, and distribution
- Domestic violence
- Receipt, possession, distribution of child pornography
- Theft and fraud, including basic allowance for housing (BAH) fraud
- Unauthorized absence (UA, AWOL) / Desertion
- Homicide
- Arson
- Loss of sensitive/classified information
- Sexual harassment
- DUI/DWI