About Us

Attorney Richard V. Stevens is the founder of this law firm, and has handled military cases over the past three decades. As a civilian court-martial defense lawyer, Richard V. Stevens is a former active duty military JAG attorney, having previously served in the military both as a base level defense counsel and as a senior regional level military defense lawyer. He has handled military cases since 1995, and has served as a civilian defense counsel since 2001.

As a civilian defense attorney over many years, Attorney Stevens established his military defense law office because, as former military officer, he cares deeply about protecting and defending the rights of military members and their families, and ensuring they are treated with fairness and respect in the military justice system.

Attorney Richard V. Stevens’ law firm includes Mr. Stevens and Attorney Artie Vaughn (who is “of counsel”). Attorney Frank Spinner is not employed by the Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens. Mr. Spinner has his own, independent, military law practice. He does, however, have space on this website to identify himself and his practice, as he shares our values regarding the importance of defending those who defend us.

The criminal defense attorneys in the Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens only represent military members and only handle military cases. That includes military investigations, military disciplinary actions, military adverse actions, military discharges/separations, and military court-martial trials. We represent members of all military branches. Please note that we are not legal assistance attorneys and we do not represent military members in civilian courts and cases, nor do we handle, for example, family law or property law issues. As criminal defense lawyers, we only represent military members facing military cases.

Our Attorneys

attorney-img1Attorney Richard V. Stevens is a former military JAG attorney and the founder of this law firm. He has extensive experience in the most complex, serious military trials, and all types of adverse military administrative actions, discipline and investigations. He has served as an active duty base military defense counsel, active duty regional military defense counsel, civilian state and federal trial attorney, and civilian criminal defense and military defense attorney. Mr. Stevens has been handling military cases since 1995, and his experience is evident in his zealous representation of the thousands of military clients he has assisted over the decades.

Michael J. CocoIN MEMORIAM. With a very heavy heart, we must share the news that Attorney Michael J. Coco has passed away (September 1964-November 2023). Mr. Coco led a life of personal and professional service. He was not just a strong, skilled, and compassionate servant as a defense attorney, he was the example of a good person. He faithfully served his family and his community, and it was clear that he was someone who truly cared for others and sought opportunities to provide his guidance and assistance when needed. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and were touched by him.

ATTORNEY FRANK J. SPINNERAttorney Frank J. Spinner has his own, independent, military law practice. He retired from active duty military service in the early 1990s, and has defended some of the most highly publicized cases in recent military justice history. These cases have included: Capt James Wang, SSG Delmar Simpson, Lt Kelly Flinn, MG David Hale, Capt Richard Ashby, Cadet Douglas Meester, SPC Sabrina Harmon, CWO Lewis Welshofer, SFC Trey Corrales, SrA Andrew Witt, MSG Tim Hennis, and SPC Jeremy Morlock.

Attorney Artie VaughnAttorney Artie Vaughn has associated with The Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C. in an “of counsel” capacity.  He also maintains his own, independent, military defense law practice – Vaughn Defense.  Artie served more than 11 years as an attorney on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.  This included serving as a military base defense counsel in which he was rated the #1 litigator and defense counsel in his region.  In addition to his civilian military defense practice, Artie continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel (O-5) in the U.S. Air National Guard as a regional defense counsel for the southeast region.

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As described above, attorney Richard V. Stevens and attorney Frank J. Spinner have completely separate and independent law practices, with no common clients, offices, or personnel. They share, however, the belief that zealous defense of our military members is critical to the fairness of the military justice system, and the military’s mission as a whole.

Mr. Stevens and Mr. Spinner travel around the world, to wherever their respective military clients are stationed or serving, to represent and defend them. They advise, represent, and/or defend military members wherever they are stationed or serving across the globe. These locations include the following.

Mr. Stevens has the extensive military law, criminal defense and trial experience necessary to fight for you. He has fought for, and defended, military members of all ranks, in all service branches, who have faced military adverse actions ranging from administrative discipline and board hearings through courts-martial alleging the most serious offenses. This includes “war crimes,” crimes arising out of combat or in theater, national security cases, murder, manslaughter, homicide, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, consensual sex offenses, drug offenses, computer crimes (pornography), larceny, fraud, conduct unbecoming, military academy offenses, senior officer cases, AWOL/desertion, and all types of the most serious criminal charges and military offenses.

Mr. Stevens and his law firm pledges to provide proven trial skills, extensive knowledge of the military and military law, experienced representation, aggressive defense and straight forward advice to members of all military branches stationed around the world.

 

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    “Your client has no idea how lucky he was to have hired you.”

    - Former Senior Military JAG Attorney

    “He simply commanded the courtroom, prepared to the teeth, and, most importantly, retained his personal and professional manner that proved so impressive in his advocacy success.”

    - Former Senior Military Judge

    “His advocacy, compassion, intellect, and demeanor are unsurpassed.”

    - Former Military Staff Judge Advocate and Trial Judge

    “That was the best closing argument I have ever seen; by a civilian or military attorney.”

    - Senior Court Reporter

    From Our Blogimage of star

    Military Noncommissioned Officer Has Sexual Assault Case Dropped (UCMJ Article 120)

    Recently, a military noncommissioned officer defended by attorney Richard V. Stevens (Military Defense Law Offices of Richard V. Stevens, P.C.) had the alleged sexual assault case he faced dropped by the military before court-martial charges were preferred against him (UCMJ A [...]