Military War Crimes Defense Lawyer

Although the American military presence in the Middle East has dramatically decreased, the War on Terror continues not only in the Middle East, but throughout the world. Our military men and women are stationed or deployed overseas in support of these missions and operations. Many of these missions and operations are now covert. Military allegations of “war crimes” and crimes arising in areas of combat operations have been defended against by civilian court-martial defense attorneys Richard V. Stevens and Frank J. Spinner.

These cases are often very serious and could have devastating legal, professional, personal and family consequences for the accused military member. There is often media coverage and political pressure that must be dealt with when defending these cases as well. An experienced military defense attorney is absolutely vital in these military cases.

Richard V. Stevens and Frank J. Spinner have both been invited speakers at defense attorney conferences where they have lectured about defending cases arising from the combat environment, defending high profile cases and cases involving complex litigation, and media strategies in these cases.

Both Mr. Stevens and Mr. Spinner are recommended defense attorneys by the United American Patriots (UAP), a charitable organization that raises funding and assistance for military members accused of “war crimes” (http://unitedpatriots.org/).

Mr. Stevens has defended members of Special Forces, Special Operations, and conventional military members facing allegations arising in areas of combat operations. These cases have included:

• An Army officer accused of solicitation to commit the murder of Iraqi al Qaeda terrorist insurgents during combat operations in Iraq (UCMJ Article 118) (after lengthy and hotly contested investigation, case dropped prior to charging).
• An Army NCO accused of premeditated murder of Iraqi al Qaeda terrorist insurgent, attempted murder and solicitation to commit murder during combat operations in Iraq (UCMJ Article 118)(acquitted of all charges in general court-martial trial) (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/military/2008/05/scott-huddleston-jurys-message-came-at-a-price/).
• A senior Army NCO accused of cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates in Afghanistan (claims of imposition of discipline issues) (UCMJ Article 93)(victorious in administrative hearing and retained in Army).
• An Army NCO accused of cruelty and maltreatment of subordinates in Iraq (claims of training and imposition of discipline issues) (UCMJ Article 93)(court-martial case dropped on the eve of trial).
• An Army NCO accused of malingering in Afghanistan (claims of self inflicted injury) (UCMJ Article 115).
• An Air Force officer accused of refusing the mandatory Anthrax vaccine in Iraq (UCMJ Article 92)(case dropped prior to charging).
• An Army enlisted member accused of insubordinate conduct and disobeying a superior commissioned officer (UCMJ Articles 90 and 91).
• Military members accused of AWOL, desertion and missing movement associated with combat deployments (UCMJ Articles 85, 86, 87).
• Military members accused of rape and sexual assault in areas of combat operations (UCMJ Article 120).
• Military members accused of drug possession, use, distribution in areas of combat operations (UCMJ Article 112a).
• Military members accused of possessing and accessing pornography in areas of combat operations (UCMJ Article 134).
• Military members accused of violating General Order #1.
• National Guard and Reservists on active duty orders in support of combat operations who are accused of JFTR (Joint Federal Travel Regulations) fraud (UCMJ Article 121).

Mr. Spinner has defended members of Special Forces, Special Operations, and conventional military members facing allegations arising in areas of combat operations. These cases have included:

• “Abu Ghraib”
• One of seven soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison (appeared on 20/20).
• Army NCO accused of premeditated murder of captured Iraqi insurgent (acquitted of all charges in general court-martial trial).
• Army interrogator accused of suffocation murder of Iraqi Major General (acquitted of murder, reduced to negligent homicide, and sentenced to no prison confinement in general court-martial trial).
• Navy SEAL accused of beating death of Iraqi prisoner (acquitted of all charges in general court-martial trial).
• “Stryker Brigade Murders”
• One of Army enlisted members in Stryker Brigade accused of murdering civilians in Afghanistan (appeared in national media).
• “Killings at the Canal”
• Army NCO medic accused of participating in murders of civilians in Afghanistan (appeared on CNN special report “Killings at the Canal”).

Richard V. Stevens and Frank J. Spinner are civilian criminal defense attorneys and former active duty military JAG lawyers who exclusively practice military law and defend military members stationed around the world who are facing military trials, discipline and investigations.

If you’re facing military allegations of “war crimes” or crimes arising in areas of combat operations, please don’t hesitate to seek the legal help you’re going to need. For a free initial case consultation, please contact us.