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Why Experience Matters in a Court-Martial Defense

A court-martial isn’t just routine paperwork—it’s a federal criminal trial that can abruptly end your career, cost your freedom, and leave a permanent mark on your future. When so much is at stake, only real, hard-earned experience in contested courts-martial can give you the best chance at protecting your rights.

Uniformed military defense counsel are usually dedicated professionals, but their system limits how much courtroom experience they can gain. Typically, an assigned counsel serves a single two-year tour in defense, handling just two to three contested courts-martial—sometimes only four to six trials in an entire military legal career.

At Cave & Freeburg, court-martial defense isn’t a temporary assignment—it’s our life’s work.
Our attorneys have spent decades representing service members from every branch, at nearly every U.S. military base, all over the world. We’ve handled complex sexual assault allegations, multi-victim cases, and high-profile officer trials—building real, battle-tested expertise that never resets.

Experience delivers results:

• Spotting weak or overcharged cases early—sometimes stopping them before trial
• Challenging unlawful command influence and improper charges
• Effectively cross-examining investigators, experts, and alleged victims
• Understanding how military judges rule—in every service
• Making informed decisions about when to fight, negotiate, or take your case to verdict

Court-martial defense is a craft learned by trying cases, not by rotating through assignments.

That’s why many service members retain civilian counsel—often in addition to their detailed military lawyer. Military counsel brings valuable institutional knowledge. Good civilian military lawyers bring seasoned trial experience and long-term strategic judgment. At Cave & Freeburg, we regularly lead defense teams where experience makes the difference.

When your career, freedom, and reputation are on the line, effort isn’t enough. 
Experience matters.

Our experience is proven—case by case, trial by trial, over decades.

📞 Call us now at 703-298-9562 or 800-401-1583 

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