Article 120 UCMJ Lawyer
McCormack & McCormack provides experienced Article 120 UCMJ defense for service members facing serious sexual offense allegations. Our attorneys have extensive military justice experience defending service members throughout the United States and at military bases worldwide.
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Facing Article 120 UCMJ Charges?
Your freedom, career and
future may be at stake.
An accusation of rape, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, or another offense under Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice can threaten your freedom, military career, rank, security clearance, benefits, reputation, and future. Even before formal charges are filed, an Article 120 investigation can have serious professional and personal consequences.
McCormack & McCormack represents officers and enlisted service members facing Article 120 investigations, charges, Article 32 preliminary hearings, and court-martial proceedings. Since 1982, our firm has defended military members facing serious criminal and disciplinary allegations throughout the military justice system.
Our Article 120 UCMJ lawyers examine the allegations, investigate the evidence, analyze witness statements and digital communications, evaluate forensic evidence, identify inconsistencies and weaknesses in the government’s case, and develop a defense strategy based on the specific facts surrounding the accusation.
When an Article 120 allegation places your freedom and military career at risk, experienced defense matters. McCormack & McCormack is prepared to aggressively protect your rights, reputation, career, and future.
What Does an Article 120 UCMJ Lawyer Do?
An Article 120 UCMJ lawyer represents service members who are investigated or charged with rape, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, aggravated sexual contact, and other serious sexual offenses under military law. These cases may involve military law enforcement investigations, Article 32 preliminary hearings, court-martial proceedings, administrative actions, security clearance consequences, and potential separation from military service.
At McCormack & McCormack, our attorneys take a hands-on approach to Article 120 defense. We examine how the allegation originated, analyze the government’s evidence, investigate the circumstances surrounding the encounter, identify potential defenses, and prepare a strategy designed to challenge the allegations and protect the service member’s rights.
Evaluate the Article 120 Allegations:
An Article 120 UCMJ lawyer begins by examining exactly what conduct is alleged and which provisions of Article 120 may be involved. These allegations can include rape, sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, aggravated sexual contact, and conduct involving allegations that another person was unable to consent. Understanding the government’s theory of the case is critical to building an effective defense.
Challenge Witness Statements and Inconsistencies:
Article 120 cases often depend heavily on statements from the accused, the complaining witness, and other witnesses. Our attorneys compare statements, timelines, electronic communications, physical evidence, and other information to identify inconsistencies, contradictions, credibility issues, and facts that may create reasonable doubt.
Defend You at Court-Martial:
If an Article 120 case proceeds to court-martial, thorough preparation is essential. Our military defense lawyers analyze the prosecution’s case, prepare witnesses, address evidentiary issues, develop cross-examination strategies, work with appropriate experts when necessary, and present the defense before the military judge or panel.
Investigate the Allegations:
A strong Article 120 defense requires a detailed examination of the events surrounding the accusation. Our military defense attorneys review timelines, witness accounts, communications, photographs, videos, social media activity, location information, and other available evidence that may provide important context or contradict the allegations.
Evaluate Forensic and Digital Evidence:
Sexual assault investigations may involve DNA evidence, medical examinations, toxicology results, phones, text messages, social media records, photographs, videos, and other digital evidence. Our Article 120 defense lawyers examine how this evidence was collected, preserved, interpreted, and used by investigators and prosecutors.
Protect Your Military Career and Future:
The consequences of an Article 120 case can extend far beyond the courtroom. A conviction may result in confinement, punitive discharge, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and allowances, sex offender registration requirements in qualifying cases, and the loss of a military career and benefits. Even an allegation may create security clearance, administrative, and reputational consequences. Our attorneys consider these broader risks when developing a defense strategy.
Analyze Consent and Capacity Issues:
Consent is frequently a central issue in Article 120 cases. Allegations may involve disputes concerning whether sexual activity was consensual or whether alcohol, drugs, sleep, unconsciousness, or another condition affected an individual’s ability to consent. Our attorneys carefully examine the evidence surrounding these issues and the circumstances leading up to, during, and after the alleged encounter.
Prepare for an Article 32 Preliminary Hearing:
Before many serious charges proceed to a general court-martial, an Article 32 preliminary hearing may be conducted. Our attorneys evaluate the evidence supporting the charges, identify legal and factual weaknesses, prepare the defense, and advocate for the service member throughout this important stage of the military justice process.
Military Defense Lawyers with Decades of Experience
McCormack & McCormack has represented military members facing serious criminal, disciplinary, and administrative matters since 1982. Our attorneys understand the extraordinary stakes involved in an Article 120 investigation or court-martial and the impact that a sexual assault allegation can have on a service member’s freedom, reputation, security clearance, and military career.
Attorney Greg D. McCormack is a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate with decades of experience representing officers and enlisted service members in military criminal and administrative matters. His background includes service as a military prosecutor and defense counsel and extensive experience litigating serious criminal allegations.
Attorney Robert W. Canoy Jr. brings more than a decade of criminal litigation experience, including 11 years as an active-duty military Judge Advocate. He has served as both trial defense counsel and prosecutor and has handled more than 500 criminal cases, including serious allegations involving sexual assault and homicide.
Attorney Jarrett L. McCormack has extensive experience representing current and former military members in criminal defense, security clearance, disciplinary, and other military-related matters.
Our attorneys combine military justice experience, courtroom advocacy, detailed investigation, cross-examination skills, and strategic trial preparation to defend service members facing Article 120 sexual assault allegations and other serious military criminal charges.
Meet Our Military Defense Attorneys
Results Driven and
Client Focused Since 1982
Greg D. McCormack
OF COUNSEL
Greg D. McCormack is a former U.S. Army Judge Advocate with decades of experience representing military and civilian clients in complex criminal, administrative, and federal matters. Known for aggressive courtroom advocacy, sharp cross-examination, and a straightforward approach, Greg has successfully represented thousands of clients throughout his career.
His military law experience includes representing officers and enlisted service members facing serious criminal allegations, court-martial proceedings, administrative actions, and other matters that may threaten their freedom and military careers.
Jarrett L. McCormack
Attorney
Jarrett L. McCormack focuses on criminal defense in state and federal courts and has extensive experience representing current and former military members. His experience includes security clearance matters, military disciplinary actions, and complex criminal cases involving service members.
Robert W. Canoy Jr.
Attorney
Robert W. Canoy brings more than a decade of criminal litigation experience, including 11 years as an active-duty military Judge Advocate. He has served as both trial defense counsel and prosecutor and has handled more than 500 criminal cases ranging from minor offenses to serious allegations including sexual assault and homicide.
His military justice experience gives him firsthand knowledge of how serious Article 120 allegations are investigated, prosecuted, and defended within the military justice system.
Drew T. Lail
Attorney
Attorney Drew T. Lail represents clients in criminal defense and traffic matters throughout Virginia. A former U.S. Navy aircraft structural mechanic and federal police officer, Drew brings firsthand military and law enforcement experience to his legal practice and provides dedicated advocacy tailored to each client’s circumstances.
