Each branch of the U.S. military has its own investigative service unit. In the Coast Guard, this unit is referred to as CGIS or Coast Guard Investigative Service. CGIS a branch of the military that has the authority to act in a federal law enforcement capacity. It derives this authority from Title 14 of the United States Code which is responsible for the establishment of the Coast Guard itself.
This particular military investigative service unit is responsible for conducting “investigations of actual, alleged or suspected criminal activity,” particularly those criminal activities that occur on the high seas, in U.S. ports or in any other traversable body of water within the continental United States. CGIS is involved in drug interdiction, defense readiness, ICE operations and other law enforcement responsibilities. CGIS agents also have the legal authority to execute search warrants and make arrests.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) lays out the rules, procedures and laws that apply to all members of the military, whether on active duty or not. Members of the military who have found themselves under investigation by CGIS or who have been charged with a criminal offense based on a CGIS investigation, need to secure legal representation at once. You should never agree to be questioned without having legal counsel present. Attempting to act in your own defense may feel like it is the right thing to do, but anything you say can be used against you in court.
Exercise your right to remain silent and waste no time in hiring an aggressive court martial defense attorney who you can trust to fight on your behalf. Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law is a well respected attorney who has earned a reputation for defending the rights of those military members who are suspected or have been accused of committing a crime. Attorney Jordan is a former prosecutor and JAG Corps officer who takes his job very seriously as he understands all you stand to lose if you are convicted of a criminal offense. If you want help protecting your fights, trust your case to Attorney Jordan. Call his firm now!