what is military lawyer

by Hailee Jerde 10 min read

Some of the roles of the military lawyer include:

  • Advising military clients brought before the courts.
  • Handling the legal discipline of military personnel.
  • Drafting and preparing legal documents.
  • Creating and maintaining military handbooks.
  • Preparing a client for trial.
  • Advising commanders on international law, military law, and civilian law.
  • Acting as council for court-martial.

A military lawyer is the person to call when a service member or spouse faces legal action within military court proceedings. They can provide a defense or push back against the evidence mounted against their client. There are different laws and rules that military lawyers follow in contrast to civilian lawyers.Feb 13, 2021

Full Answer

How do you become a military lawyer?

Mar 01, 2022 · The military lawyer job description includes the legal counsel and advice for everything from the trial preparation to the post-trial activities. Legal issues on operations, environmental, international law, or military and civilian personnel issues are the different areas that a military lawyer must be well-versed in.

Do you want to be a lawyer in the military?

If you are an active-duty military personnel, military reservists, or former military personnel with “veteran” status, a military law lawyer can help with your legal matters.

What is the salary of a JAG lawyer?

Military Lawyers. The military law attorneys at Tully Rinckey PLLC were servicemen and women long before they became lawyers. With their combined 200+ years of military service and law experience, they know the military, they know the law, and are ready to fight hard on your behalf.

How to become a JAG lawyer?

Oct 13, 2021 · United States military law is found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), Title 10 of the United States Code. It establishes military legal rules and procedures applicable to individuals in the military. The military law embodied in the UCMJ applies to the armed services at home and abroad, active and non-active.

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What is a lawyer in the military called?

ABA Career Center More and more, new lawyers are becoming JAG officers (aka Judge Advocate Generals Corp), working in all legal matters involving the military, which mirrors almost every aspect of civilian law. JAGs are in each of the five US military branches: army, navy, marines, coast guard, or air force.

What is the meaning of a military law?

Legal Definition of military law : law enforced by military rather than civil authority specifically : law prescribed by statute for the government of the armed forces and accompanying civilian employees — compare martial law.

What does military law deal with?

Generally, in the United States, Military Law is a body of law that oversees the members of the armed forces. Essentially, the usage of military law on the members of the armed forces was a recognition that military individuals are subjected to different rules and expectations than ordinary civilian citizens.

What is an example of military law?

Military discharges. Punishment prohibited as cruel and unusual. Delivery of offenders to civil authorities. Criminal matters specific to the military, such as insubordination toward a superior officer, conspiracy, absence without leave, malingering, desertion and other related legal offenses.

How is military law different?

Civilian vs. This includes laws that affect our day-to-day life, such as not trespassing, paying one's taxes on time, driving the speed limit, etc. However, additional laws are added for military personnel, some of which apply whether they are on base or on leave. Conversely, military laws do not apply to civilians.Dec 19, 2021

Does the military have a law school?

And the Army is willing to pay the law school tuition, with the help of the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Officers selected for FLEP attend a civilian law school of their choice, for three years of legal studies, while remaining on active duty with full pay and benefits.Aug 21, 2018

What are the different types of military law?

The three most common forms of military tribunals are found in the UCMJ: General Courts-Martial, Special Courts-Martial, and Summary Courts-Martial.Oct 13, 2021

What is military punishment called?

Non-judicial punishment (or NJP) is any form of punishment that may be applied to individual military personnel, without a need for a court martial or similar proceedings.

What are the two 2 classes of persons subject to military law?

Summary courts-martial shall have power to try any person subject to military law, except an officer, a cadet, a flying cadet or probationary second lieutenant, for any crime or offense not capital made punishable by these article: Provided, That non-commissioned officers shall not, if they object thereto, be brought ...

Do military lawyers get deployed?

Yes, JAGs do get deployed to areas all over the world. JAGs serve as legal advisers to military commanders and have many responsibilities, including providing legal opinions on whether military actions comply with the laws of armed conflict to prosecuting or defending service members in courts martial.Nov 7, 2014

What is military law?

Military law is all legal structures that govern military personnel. Topics covered by military cover service members' conduct while in training or on active duty, protections of military spouses, and service members' reentry into civil society when their tours of duty are over.

What is the JAG in the military?

Most of the lawyers that practice law stemming from the UCMJ are part of the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. Each branch of the military has its own JAG corps. Members of the JAG corps represent the military in many different capacities, including individual representation before courts-martial and representing the military in general in civilian courts.

Why are some military members unfit for duty?

Service members may become physically unfit for duty due to illness or injury. A service member is unfit for duty when they are unable to perform the duties considering their rank and duty position. Determining whether a member can reasonably perform their duties includes consideration of deployability.

What happens if you get a court martial?

A court-martial is a serious matter for any service member. Conviction can not only end your military career, but it can result in jail time, fines, and other punishments. A dishonorable discharge and a criminal conviction can also have a negative impact on other areas of your life, including your ability to seek employment or secure housing.

Who is Greg Rinckey?

Military attorney Greg Rinckey is a former Army JAG , and he knows how to work the military system to get you successfully discharged from the military.

What is the MEB report?

The MEB is tasked with preparing a report documenting the service member’s medical history, current physical status and recommend duty limitations. This report documents whether a medical condition (s) interfere significantly with the member’s ability to carry out the duties of the member’s rank and rate.

What is Tully Rinckey?

Tully Rinckey is a full-service law firm. We handle legal issues relating to appellate law, litigation, bankruptcy, international and U.S.-based business law, family and matrimonial law, military and federal employment law, intellectual property law, and much more. We also offer a variety of services, including estate planning, security clearance representation, and congressional investigations. Regardless of your legal needs, we have the experienced counsel you need.

How to contact Tully Rinckey?

Call Tully Rinckey PLLC at (518) 941-8878 to discuss your options today. Correction of Military Records. Correction of Military Records.

What is the military law?

Military law is the body of law that governs the members of the armed forces. The application of military law to members of the military reflects a recognition that such individuals are subject to different duties and expectations than civilian citizens.

What happens when a nation declares martial law?

If a nation declares "martial law," military authority replaces civilian authority. Under martial law, the military operates the police, courts, and legislature instead of the civilian government. Some argue that martial law has been declared at times during United States history, most famously during the Civil War after Congress ...

What is the difference between a general court martial and a special court martial?

General courts-martial resolve serious military criminal offenses like felonies, while special courts-martial resolve more minor offenses like misdemeanors. Unfitness Findings. A finding of unfitness means that a service member can no longer perform their regular duties because of a physical or mental condition.

What is the UCMJ?

It establishes military legal rules and procedures applicable to individuals in the military. The military law embodied in the UCMJ applies to the armed services at home and abroad, active and non-active. The coverage of the law is extensive, ranging from insubordination to theft.

What is a military lawyer?

Military lawyers practice in a wide range of legal areas as prosecutors and defenders. In some cases, they represent the United States government, and in others, they represent members of the armed services. Some JAGs specialize in military law, but others provide legal advice to service personnel about real estate, contracts or family law.

What are the benefits of being a military lawyer?

Military lawyers receive substantial benefits and perks that make this career attractive. Free housing, meals , health care and travel are the most common military benefits. The JAG Corps also offers free advanced legal education to its officers who want to pursue the Master of Laws degree. Educational benefits for dependents, temporary duty travel ...

How long does it take to get promoted to a higher rank?

Although some branches have lower starting salaries, promotion to a higher rank generally happens between six months to a year.

Do you have to be a law student to be a JAG?

All branches require military lawyers to be at least third-year law students to apply for positions in the JAG Corps. To serve on active duty, you must graduate from law school and pass the bar in any state or the District of Columbia. Every branch also requires its lawyers to attend Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School for the Air Force. After graduation from OCS or OTS, military lawyers complete advanced JAG training programs required by each branch.

What is a JAG lawyer?

At JAG Defense, our military defense attorneys are retired and former military lawyers (JAGs) who have served in every facet of the military justice system and know it inside and out. While you will be provided with a free military JAG lawyer, it is often in your best interest to hire a civilian military lawyer. If you are facing disciplinary action within the military, we encourage you to contact JAG Defense about how our military defense lawyers can help you.

Where is JAG Defense located?

Our practice is based out of Hampton Roads, Virginia and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but our military attorneys travel Worldwide to provide highly experienced, attentive representation for our clients.

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The UCMJ

  • The UCMJ is a detailed body of law that has governed the U.S. armed forces since 1951. The UCMJ was modestly updated in 2008, to incorporate changes made by the President (via executive orders) and to include the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2006 and 2007. Th…
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How Does One Join The Jag Corps?

  • There are two main paths lawyers may take to join the JAG Corps. The first is for law students to apply to the JAG Corps upon completion of law school. Applicants must have passed the bar exam, and must be prepared to enter Officer Training. The second path is for licensed and experienced attorneys to join the armed forces. Such candidates must likewise enter Officer Trai…
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Army

  • Entry into the Army JAG Corps (founded by George Washington in 1775) occurs through Direct Commission. Commissioned individuals enter the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Training Course, which is split into two phases. The first is the Direct Commissioned Course (DCC) Phase--a six-week basic training for JAGs in Fort Benning, Georgia. The second is the Charlottesville Phase, …
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Navy

  • To become an officer in the JAG Corpsin the Navy, this branch of the military must offer hopefuls a commission, after which time they enter Officer Development School (ODS), where they receive the rank of Ensign, and their active duty pay and benefits begin. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, ODS is specifically tailored to those entering the Navy as officers. Once completed, candidates e…
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Air Force

  • The Air Force has four different entry programs into the JAG Corp. The first is the student option, where candidates apply as either a 1L or 2L, and commit to completing Active Duty as a member of the JAG Corps after graduating law school and passing the bar. The second program entails licensed attorneys directly entering the JAG Corps. The third option is for Active Duty military m…
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Marine Corps

  • There are two ways to enter the JAG Corps as a Marine. The first is the PCL-Law program--the Marine Corps equivalent to the student entry program. Students complete the ten-week Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, either during the summer before law school, or the 1L or 2L summer. Candidates then receive the rank of Second Lieutenant and are placed on Inactive D…
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Coast Guard

  • Unlike the other military branches, there is only one way to enter the Coast Guard JAG Corps—as a Direct Commission Lawyer (DCL). Final year law students and licensed attorneys may enter the Coast Guard this way. After commissioning, they must attend the 4-5 week long Direct Commission Officer course in New London, Connecticut, before attending a ten-week Basic Law…
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Definition of Military Law

  • Military law is all legal structures that govern military personnel. Topics covered by military cover service members' conduct while in training or on active duty, protections of military spouses, and service members' reentry into civil society when their tours of duty are over. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) governs service members' c...
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Terms to Know

  1. Dishonorable Discharge: One of the most severe punishments the military can impose, a dishonorable discharge means that a service member left the military due to misconduct.
  2. Court-Martial: The proceeding which adjudicates military law.
  3. Non-Judicial Punishment: Punishments a service member's commanding officer may impose in her discretion, including confinement, extra duties, demotion, and reprimands.
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Practice Area Notes

  • Most of the lawyers that practice law stemming from the UCMJ are part of the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. Each branch of the military has its own JAG corps. Members of the JAG corps represent the military in many different capacities, including individual representation before courts-martial and representing the military in general in civilian courts.
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Related Practice Areas

  1. International Law: Many military operations occur overseas and soldiers may at times run afoul of international laws.
  2. Criminal Law: Service members commit war crimes. Additionally, some punishable offenses are criminal in nature.
  3. Employment Law: Military personnel are employees of the Department of Defense. Additional…
  1. International Law: Many military operations occur overseas and soldiers may at times run afoul of international laws.
  2. Criminal Law: Service members commit war crimes. Additionally, some punishable offenses are criminal in nature.
  3. Employment Law: Military personnel are employees of the Department of Defense. Additionally, military personnel are entitled to special protections when returning to civil life.