Sexual assault in the military has been a problem for years. The Pentagon recently announced 6,236 reports of sexual assault in 2019, up 3 percent from 6,053 in 2018. It is also estimated that only one in four sexually assaulted service members report the crime. At the same time, the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, …
The Lack of Convictable Evidence in Military Sexual Assault Cases Read More »
On December 10, 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled that military rape cases occurring between 1986 and 2006 are no longer subject to a statute of limitations. This 20-year legal gray area has fluctuated between having and not having legal time limits for rape cases several times in recent years. What is a Statute of …
Military Rape Cases Have No Statute of Limitations Read More »
Under the direction of the Secretary of the Army, the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee (FHIRC) recently conducted a comprehensive assessment of the “Fort Hood command climate and culture and its impact, if any, on the safety, welfare, and readiness of our soldiers and units.” The committee’s report focuses largely on the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response …
Reviewing the Report of the Fort Hood Independent Review Board Findings Read More »
The Air Force made history this November when it charged Maj. Gen. William T. Cooley with sexual assault, making him the first active Air Force general ever to be charged with a military justice crime. He could also become the first Air Force general to face a court martial if the preliminary hearing, scheduled for …
The Military Justice System: Innocent Until Proven Guilty Read More »
Military service members often spend much of their days operating vehicles, aircraft, and vessels. They are expected to control these machines responsibly and safely. Failure to do so could result in a criminal charge. Drinking and driving—whether on base in a military craft or off base in a personal vehicle—is a violation of Article 111 …
Rape and sexual assault charges can be serious and life-changing for anyone, especially if you’re in the military. You risk losing your career, ranking, allowances, and pay if you are convicted. You may even have to register as a sex offender or end up in prison. Unlike civilians who are tried in civilian court, on-duty …
What to Expect: Military Legal Defense in Sexual Assault Cases Read More »
2020 has been a year marked by bloodshed and heartache for military service members stationed at Fort Hood Army Base in the central Texas city of Killeen. A slew of homicides, suicides, fatal accidents, and criminal activities has left family members, friends, and residents of the base feeling shocked and baffled. Fort Hood is home …
If a juvenile commits sexual assault against another minor on a military installation, who has the jurisdiction to prosecute? The federal government has exclusive legislative jurisdiction on many military installations because these are considered federal properties. As a result, local prosecutors lack the legal authority to apply state juvenile delinquency laws to minors living on …
Understanding the Foreign Military Investigation Process Overseas deployment can be an opportunity to sightsee while abroad. If you’re stationed in a friendly country, you may decide to take leave and travel for a bit. However, as soon as you step foot off the military installation, you could be subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign …
When serving on the front lines, military servicemen and women may face the difficult responsibility of killing enemy soldiers on the battlefield. This type of killing is lawful because it is done against a hostile force during a war. However, when done without legal justification or excuse, killing a fellow human being is against the …
