The Case of the Black Sheep Burglary: A True Account of a Trial Lawyer’s Jury Service
As a citizen of the United States, I have always wanted the opportunity to sit on a jury. Most of us have seen 12 Angry Men. If you haven’t seen the film, then perhaps you have seen other movies or shows depicting one’s service as a juror. You may often wonder, “what would I do if placed in such a situation?” Well, I finally have an answer.
Military Attorney Joseph L. Jordan | Defending Service Members Worldwide
Joseph L. Jordan is a military attorney who represents service members facing courts-martial and UCMJ charges at military installations worldwide. Licensed to practice law since 2006 after earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he founded his military defense practice in October 2011. In the 14 years since, he has traveled globally to defend clients, handling over 1,000 military cases including more than 200 courts-martial.
Before becoming a civilian military attorney, Joseph served as an Army Judge Advocate from 2006 to 2011. He prosecuted cases as a JAG Trial Counsel at Fort Hood (Fort Hood), Texas and with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. He also served as an enlisted Soldier for three years before becoming an officer. This background—enlisted service, officer experience, and JAG prosecutor duty—gives him insight into military justice from every angle.
As a military attorney practicing worldwide, Joseph represents service members from all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard—at installations across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. He has successfully defended clients at Camp Humphreys in South Korea, Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Naval Base Yokosuka in Japan, Aviano Air Base in Italy, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and at military installations throughout the United States including Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Liberty, and Fort Leonard Wood. Recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer for four consecutive years (2020-2023) and maintaining a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating from 59 client reviews, he has demonstrated consistent excellence in military defense representation.
MILITARY CRIMINAL DEFENSE & COURT MARTIAL LAWYER
TRUSTED REPRESENTATION FOR ALL SERVICE MEMBERS
Some charges catch you off guard. Others feel like they were built around you. Either way, they do not come with light consequences. One decision, sometimes one comment, is enough to put everything you have earned on the line. Founding UCMJ Attorney Joseph L. Jordan offers trusted, high-level legal defense to service members across every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
He has been where you are. As an enlisted Soldier, then an officer, then a JAG prosecutor, Jordan has seen what charges can do to a career from every angle. He is not guessing how the system works. He has worked inside it, lived through it, and now fights it directly, forcefully, and with no interest in command politics. You are not a case file. You are someone whose name still matters. That is the difference between representation and defense. One files paperwork. The other stands between you and what happens next.
Military Lawyer Jordan's Most Recent Victories
WE FOCUS EXCLUSIVEY
ON MILITARY CRIMINAL DEFENSE MATTERS
UCMJ LAWYER WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY
CONTACT JOSEPH L. JORDAN, A DEDICATED MILITARY ATTORNEY AND UCMJ DEFENSE LAWYER
Hiring a UCMJ lawyer who has served at multiple levels of the military justice system provides a strategic edge that goes beyond legal knowledge. Joseph L. Jordan uses his background inside command structures to identify weaknesses in government cases, challenge premature Article 32 recommendations, and influence early decisions that often shape the outcome long before trial. His defense strategy begins the moment an accusation is raised, not after the paperwork is filed. That includes filing precision-based motions, securing time-sensitive discovery, and applying procedural pressure to delay or redirect command actions.
A military defense attorney who focuses entirely on UCMJ cases understands not only the rules but the personalities, politics, and hidden dynamics that often dictate how justice is applied. Jordan does not generalize his approach. He crafts each defense based on the branch of service, the specific charge, and the internal environment of the unit involved. This kind of insight cannot be improvised or learned on the fly. It comes from full-time immersion in military courts, where the margin for error is small and the consequences are lasting.
In addition to courtroom litigation under the UCMJ, Jordan’s practice as a military attorney includes defense preparation during non-judicial proceedings like Article 15 actions and NJP reviews, as well as administrative challenges such as GOMOR rebuttals, AR 635-200 separations, and BOI representation. He is also experienced in managing the procedural stages that shape trial outcomes, including RCM 305 confinement reviews, Article 31(b) advisement, and evidentiary disputes under MRE 513 and 514. This full-spectrum experience allows him to deliver case strategies that account for both legal precision and command-driven context.
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Why Hire Us?
Defending Military Crimes
You do not get warnings in military cases, you get read your rights. And by the time command starts asking questions, they are not asking out of curiosity. Whether it is a military crime involving drugs, sexual misconduct, assault, or worse, the weight of that charge can crush your career fast. Jordan defends service members who find themselves under investigation, sometimes before they even know what the accusation really is. That is when defense begins, not after it is too late.
Aggressive Defense Against Article 120 Sexual Assault Charges
Article 120 charges can undo a career faster than any other offense in the military justice system. Once the accusation surfaces, whether it is a barracks rumor or a formal report, command response is often immediate and unforgiving. Jordan has defended service members accused of a wide range of Article 120 allegations, including sexual assault of a minor. These cases are volatile. He does not just challenge the evidence, he makes the government prove every detail, because in cases like this, assumptions come first and facts arrive late.
Helping You Fight Manslaughter and Murder Charges
Murder and manslaughter charges under Article 118 and Article 119 of the UCMJ carry not only the harshest penalties in military law, but also the most complex legal dynamics. These are not cases for a generalist or an inexperienced counsel. Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law, brings years of UCMJ-specific trial experience to the table. As a former JAG prosecutor turned defense attorney, he knows how to scrutinize the government’s case and build a strong, fact-driven strategy on your behalf before trial even begins.
Defending Military Members Against Article 112a Drug Crimes
Article 112a drug crimes do not always come in the form of obvious violations. Sometimes it is a positive urinalysis after taking something off-base. Sometimes it is pills a friend handed over, no prescription, no questions. But the outcome is the same as the worst-case scenario: confinement, loss of rank, even an other-than-honorable discharge. These charges hit fast and leave a mark. Joseph Jordan does not just fight the evidence, he questions how it was gathered, who handled it, and whether your command moved too fast. Drug crimes under 112a are not about what is fair. They are about what is proven, and he makes sure proof is the only thing that counts.
Contact us today for aggressive help from our military defense attorney!
REAL RESULTS IN REAL LIVES
SEE THE IMPACT MILITARY ATTORNEY JORDAN HAS HAD ON SERVICE MEMBERS WORLDWIDE
"With their help, I am able to prove that I am an excellent soldier that deserves to stay in the military."
Ben
"Mr Jordan is the defense attorney you need."
William
"He is a very professional and reasonable Attorney."
H.L.
"Nothing but great things to say about Joseph and his team. Do yourself a favor and hire him."
Anonymous
"Reassuring, Articulate, Knowledgable, Effective"
Captain, US Army
"Best civilian and military defense counsel team"
A Senior Air Force Military Judge
"He is extremely well qualified and knowledgeable - especially with the military legal system."
E. Howard T.
"It is with great appreciation and respect that I highly recommend Mr. Joseph Jordan."
Joseph P.
"Mr. Jordan and his team did an outstanding job during my court-martial."
Cristi Murphy
"I wanna thank you again for all you've done."
Former Client
Why Military Defense Demands More Than Free Representation
The military justice system follows a distinct structure. Legal actions are often initiated within the command environment rather than through civilian prosecutors, and legal decisions are typically handled by officers operating inside the same chain of authority. Attorneys provided through the military system fulfill critical responsibilities and serve honorably, but they work within defined roles that support multiple institutional needs.
These roles can involve a combination of assignments, including legal assistance, administrative law, and rotation through prosecution or defense duties. As a result, the focus may be broad rather than singular. By contrast, a civilian military defense attorney is committed exclusively to your case, with no competing obligations or structural constraints. That independence allows for early intervention, targeted strategy, and an unwavering commitment to protecting your rights and future.
What You Risk When You Settle for Assigned Counsel
No-cost representation sounds convenient until you realize what it may cost you. A military conviction can bring more than confinement. It can derail your career, eliminate your benefits, and result in consequences like sex offender registration or repayment of education bonuses. These are not temporary penalties, they follow you into civilian life and reshape your future.
A dedicated military attorney does not wait for charges to be filed. They step in early, challenge weak evidence, and build your defense before momentum shifts against you. That early control can make all the difference.
Why Service Members Worldwide Choose This Military Attorney
When facing court-martial charges at a military installation overseas or in the United States, service members have a choice: accept the military-provided defense counsel assigned by their command, or hire a civilian military attorney who practices independently. Here is why service members from Camp Humphreys to Ramstein Air Base, from Naval Base Yokosuka to Fort Hood, choose Joseph L. Jordan.
First, he travels to you. Many civilian military attorneys offer phone consultations but do not travel to overseas installations. Joseph L. Jordan has represented clients in South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and across the United States. He appears in person for Article 32 hearings, pretrial motions, and courts-martial. If you are stationed at Camp Humphreys, Ramstein Air Base, Al Udeid Air Base, or any other installation worldwide, he travels there to represent you in person.
Second, he understands overseas military justice. Courts-martial at OCONUS (outside continental United States) installations involve unique challenges: SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) considerations, host nation coordination, and command structures that differ from stateside posts. Having served as a JAG officer in South Korea and Germany from 2006 to 2011, and having defended clients at overseas installations since October 2011, this military attorney understands how military justice works in deployed and overseas environments.
Third, proven results worldwide. Having defended over 1,000 service members and tried more than 200 courts-martial to verdict since 2006, this military attorney has established a proven track record at installations worldwide. He has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association from 2020 through 2023 and holds a perfect 10.0 "Superb" rating on Avvo from 59 client reviews. Service members at Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Fort Liberty, Camp Humphreys, Ramstein Air Base, Naval Base Yokosuka, Aviano Air Base, Al Udeid Air Base, and installations worldwide have trusted him to defend their careers and their freedom.
Fourth, he has been both prosecutor and defense counsel. As a JAG prosecutor from 2006 to 2011 at Fort Hood, Texas and with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea, he prosecuted courts-martial and knows how military prosecutors think, how they build cases, and where their strategies break down. Since October 2011, he has used that experience exclusively for defense. Few civilian military attorneys have prosecuted cases at major Army installations and then spent 14 years defending service members worldwide.
If you are facing court-martial charges—whether at a stateside installation or overseas in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East—you need a military attorney who will travel to you, who understands overseas military justice, and who has proven results worldwide. That is what you get when you hire Joseph L. Jordan.
Call Now. Take Control Before the System Does.
Joseph L. Jordan is not a generalist. He is not rotating through cases. He is not just reacting. He is a full-time UCMJ lawyer and former JAG officer who builds aggressive military legal defense strategies for real people facing real consequences.
If you have been accused of a military crime, you do not have time to wait.
Call now to speak directly with an experienced military attorney who knows the system and knows how to fight it.
888-694-7306
Secure your defense. Protect your future.
ORIENTATION & AWARENESS
1. What exactly does a military lawyer do during an investigation or court-martial?
They do more than just show up in court. From the moment things start unraveling, whether it is an interview request, a command comment, or something bigger, they help you navigate it all. That means protecting your rights, slowing down command momentum, and making sure what is said and done early on does not crush you later. It is defense, yes, but also insulation.
2. How is a military defense attorney different from a civilian criminal lawyer?
A civilian lawyer knows statutes. A military defense attorney lives inside command culture. Court-martial proceedings, Article 32 hearings, command pressures, none of that exists in civilian court. The playbook is different, the referees are in uniform, and if your lawyer does not speak that language fluently, you are always a step behind.
3. Is hiring a UCMJ attorney necessary if I already have a JAG lawyer assigned?
Let us put it this way: that JAG officer works within the same system that is trying to convict you. They may care, but their leash is short. A civilian UCMJ attorney answers only to you, no command pressure, no internal chain pulling strings. In military justice, clean allegiance is everything.
4. Can a military attorney really stop charges before they are filed?
Sometimes, yes, and that “sometimes” is worth everything. The earlier you bring in someone who knows how to talk to command, how to challenge pre-charge narratives, the more likely your story gets heard before momentum hardens. Once it is filed, the machine grinds forward.
5. What types of cases do military defense lawyers typically handle?
Think of the worst-case military scenarios: sexual assault under Article 120, drug crimes, even murder. Add to that AWOL, fraternization, unauthorized relationships, financial fraud, and any conduct that “brings discredit.” Military defense lawyers handle them all. But the good ones? They do not just respond, they disrupt.
ACTION & URGENCY
6. I have not been charged yet, can I still hire a military defense attorney?
Yes. And in fact, that is when it is smartest. Waiting until the charge sheet lands is waiting too long. Investigations harden fast. Without someone guiding you while it is still fluid, you are left catching up later.
7. What happens if I ignore command questioning without legal help?
Best-case, you say too much. Worst-case, something gets twisted or repackaged. In the military, silence is not guilt, but unscripted honesty is rarely rewarded. Legal counsel does not complicate things, it protects your future.
8. How soon should I call a UCMJ lawyer after being placed under investigation?
Immediately. “Just a conversation” turns into “formal questioning” quicker than you expect. Early legal action means you are not guessing while the government is documenting.
9. Will a military attorney travel to my base if I am stationed overseas?
Yes, if they are serious. Jordan travels regularly to bases in Germany, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and other strategic locations. While remote consultations can offer guidance, real defense requires presence when proceedings begin. He has successfully represented service members at Camp Humphreys, Ramstein Air Base, Naval Base Yokosuka, Aviano Air Base, and Al Udeid Air Base. Each installation presents its own command structure and cultural dynamics, which means your legal strategy must adjust accordingly. A military defense attorney with direct experience in overseas courts-martial, SOFA-related processes, and multinational command coordination provides more than legal support. He brings the clarity and preparation necessary to take control of your case from the start.
10. Do you defend serious cases like sexual assault, murder, or drug charges?
Absolutely. Jordan’s entire UCMJ practice is built around high-stakes cases. From Article 120 to Article 118, from controlled substances to accusations involving minors, he has defended them and won.
11. Can a private military lawyer help me keep my rank and benefits?
That is the whole point. Even when jail is not on the table, a discharge, demotion, or revoked clearance can end your career quietly. The right defense keeps what you have earned, intact.
12. How do I know if my court-martial requires independent legal defense?
Ask yourself: do you want the default, or the defense? If you are facing charges with real fallout, you need someone whose loyalty is not split. Independent defense means your attorney does not answer to command, only to you.
ACCESS & LOGISTICS
13. How much does it cost to hire a military criminal defense attorney?
Costs vary. But if you are shopping by price alone, you are already at risk. Jordan offers flat-fee quotes after reviewing the facts. And compared to losing benefits, retirement, or freedom, it is not expensive, it is necessary.
14. Do you offer global representation for service members stationed in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East?
Yes. Jordan’s defense does not stop at borders. He has appeared at bases from Okinawa to Ramstein, from Al Udeid to Fort Hood. Geography does not limit risk, so it should not limit your defense.
15. How do I schedule a private consultation with military lawyer Joseph L. Jordan?
Easy. Call (888) 694-7306 or fill out the secure form on the Contact Us page. No assistants. No buffers. When you call, you speak directly with someone who is ready to fight.
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