Military Criminal Defense Attorney for Drug Crimes

Getting charged with a drug offense while serving in uniform doesn’t just threaten your current post. It can unravel everything you’ve worked for, from promotions and pensions to your basic freedom. Military prosecutors act fast, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice gives them powerful tools to do so. If you're stationed overseas or on base in the U.S., the threat is real. At Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law, we represent service members across all branches who are facing drug allegations. As a military criminal defense attorney for drug crimes, Joseph Jordan brings firsthand experience from inside the system. He is someone who knows how the gears turn and how to stop them when they are aimed at you. If you're being investigated or charges have already been filed, the time to build your defense is now. Not later.

Article 112a Drug Offenses: Possession, Distribution, and More

Every service member signs on to a code, and Article 112a is one part of it that is enforced with zero hesitation. This section of the UCMJ covers everything from unauthorized use to trafficking of controlled substances, including cocaine, meth, LSD, ecstasy, unauthorized prescription pills, and even marijuana. The military doesn’t mirror civilian society when it comes to drug policy. While some states move toward legalization, the Department of Defense tightens its grip. Senior leadership has made no secret of their intent to crack down harder than ever before. In fact, enforcement around Article 112a has taken on the same tone of intensity seen in high-profile misconduct cases. Commanders are quicker to escalate charges. Prosecutors are more aggressive in court. Administrative boards are less willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Accused service members aren’t just fighting charges. They are pushing back against a system that is already leaning forward. Having the right Article 112a military defense lawyer means knowing how to confront this environment head-on and not get buried under it.

What Consequences Do You Face Under Article 112a?

Once charges are preferred, the machinery starts moving. It rarely slows down on its own. Service members found guilty of drug offenses under Article 112a face punishments that often include rank reduction, full forfeiture of pay and allowances, confinement, and a dishonorable discharge. Drug distribution or trafficking charges don’t stop at a five-year maximum. Especially if the incident took place while you were assigned to sensitive duties like standing watch, operating aboard a military craft, or working inside a secure installation. Under those circumstances, sentencing can increase substantially. Some cases begin with a failed urinalysis. Others involve intercepted packages, unauthorized prescriptions, or allegations from fellow service members. However your case began, the prosecution will try to make it stick. Without strong defense counsel, it often does.

What Happens If You’re Reprimanded Using Article 15/NJP?

Not every drug-related offense leads to a court-martial. In some cases, your command may choose to handle the allegation under Article 15, also known as non-judicial punishment (NJP). That doesn't mean you're in the clear. Article 15 still carries consequences. These include extra duty, loss of pay, reduction in rank, and it often leads directly into separation proceedings. When you face administrative discharge board drug charges, the stakes shift from punishment to elimination. This board evaluates your service record, the nature of the offense, and whether retention is in the best interest of the military. Their decisions shape your future. A general or other-than-honorable discharge can cut off your benefits, limit job prospects, and leave a permanent stain on your record. A dishonorable discharge may follow, even after acquittal at court-martial. When legal decisions start unfolding behind closed doors, they tend to move fast. Without someone experienced guiding your defense, you might be left reacting to outcomes you never had a chance to influence.

How Will a Dishonorable Discharge Affect Your Future?

A dishonorable discharge closes doors. It strips away years of service and the benefits that come with them. You lose access to VA healthcare, tuition assistance, housing support, and retirement credit. In most states, you’ll also lose your right to own firearms. Civilian employers may see a dishonorable discharge as a disqualifier. This is especially true in security-sensitive or government-contracted industries. The stigma attached can persist long after your sentence ends. What’s worse, many service members are pressured into accepting plea deals by overworked JAG officers who believe a quick resolution is better than a drawn-out fight. But pleading guilty when there’s a viable defense is a permanent decision. If you’re facing separation, you need more than advice. You need someone willing to challenge the system on your behalf.

Dedicated Defense for Drug Crime Charges in the Military

At Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law, we don’t just represent military clients. We advocate for them with tenacity and precision. Joseph Jordan’s background as a former JAG officer allows him to see where the system bends and where it breaks. Over the years, he has defended service members stationed around the world, from Okinawa to Fort Cavazos, in cases ranging from minor use allegations to felony-level distribution charges. Our focus is singular: protecting your career, your benefits, and your future. When everything you’ve earned is on the line, you need representation that knows how to push back with force and integrity.

Building a Criminal Defense Strategy for Military Drug Offenses

Military urinalysis testing is often viewed as the cornerstone of enforcement under Article 112a. But these tests are not beyond question. Collection procedures are prone to human error, labeling mistakes, chain-of-custody lapses, and storage issues that can invalidate results. In some cases, service members unknowingly ingest a banned substance through a supplement, shared medication, or a misrepresented product. Others may have valid prescriptions, but gaps in documentation open the door for accusations. At our firm, we approach every urinalysis case with one priority: challenge everything. Whether it's a bad sample or a flawed collection process, we bring a tailored defense that seeks to dismantle the government’s assumptions. If you're seeking defense for positive urinalysis in the military, our team builds from the ground up. We start with facts, not panic.

Does a Positive Urinalysis Prove Guilt in a Drug Offense?

Not necessarily. A positive drug test result is not a conviction. It’s a data point. One that can be challenged on multiple levels. The government must still prove that the substance was consumed knowingly and wrongfully. We’ve seen countless cases where faulty collection practices, inaccurate reporting, or improper consent procedures cast doubt on the test itself. If you were randomly selected for testing or targeted following rumors or informal statements, we’ll dig into whether the protocol was followed precisely. Due process isn’t a suggestion. It’s a requirement. We enforce that requirement at every step.

Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Joseph L. Jordan Today

Military proceedings can move quickly, often before you’ve had a chance to speak for yourself. If you’re facing a failed urinalysis or serious allegations like drug trafficking, now is the time to retain counsel that knows how to intervene early and shift the direction of your case before it’s already decided. Joseph L. Jordan is ready to provide seasoned, battle-tested legal defense after Article 112a violation allegations. Our team has represented hundreds of service members facing the full spectrum of military drug charges. If you’re ready to protect your future and fight for your record, call us today at 888-689-4495 or toll-free at 888-689-4495. The sooner we get involved, the stronger your defense becomes.

1. Can you join the military with a misdemeanor drug charge?
You can, but it’s not guaranteed. A drug-related misdemeanor will likely trigger a moral waiver review, and not every case is approved. It depends a lot on how long ago it happened, how serious it was, and what you’ve done since.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2023/12/can-you-join-the-military-with-a-misdemeanor/

2. Can you rejoin the military after being discharged for drugs?
It’s tough. Most people with a drug-related discharge aren’t eligible to reenlist. That said, a few exceptions exist if you successfully upgrade your discharge, but those are rare and require a compelling case. Your reenlistment code is the real gatekeeper here.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2023/08/can-you-rejoin-the-military-after-being-discharged/

3. What happens if you get kicked out of the military for drugs?
You lose more than just your job. You’re also likely giving up access to VA benefits, GI Bill, and military retirement credit. It may also follow you into civilian life, especially if employers ask about discharge type. Once it’s in your DD-214, undoing that stain takes real legal work.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2020/06/what-will-a-drug-charge-do-to-your-military-career/

4. Can you get dishonorably discharged for drug use?
Yes. It happens more than you’d think, especially for repeat offenses, dealing, or using on duty. Dishonorable discharge comes from a court-martial, not administrative paperwork, and it’s the most damaging kind. It carries criminal-level consequences and zero post-service benefits.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2020/06/what-will-a-drug-charge-do-to-your-military-career/

5. What kind of discharge can you get for drug use in the military?
The outcome varies. Some service members walk away with a general discharge or OTH (other-than-honorable), while others—especially in high-stakes roles or trafficking cases—face full dishonorable separation. Your record, rank, and the context matter more than just the drug itself.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2020/06/what-will-a-drug-charge-do-to-your-military-career/

6. What happens if you fail a military drug test?
Failing a urinalysis doesn’t mean you’re instantly out, but it sets off a chain reaction. You’ll probably be flagged, pulled from duty, and reviewed by command. That could lead to NJP or even separation. What happens next often depends on how hard you push back.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2022/06/how-to-fight-a-positive-drug-test-in-the-military/

7. Can you fight a positive drug test in the military?
Absolutely. A positive test isn’t the final word, not when there are real concerns about chain of custody, testing lab standards, or even accidental ingestion. With the right legal support, a lot of cases fall apart under scrutiny.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2022/06/how-to-fight-a-positive-drug-test-in-the-military/

8. What happens if you test positive for steroids or SARMs like Anavar?
Steroids like Anavar and SARMs usually aren’t part of the routine panels, but they can still come up if command suspects something. Even if you bought it legally or used it off-duty, that doesn’t matter. The military sees it as a UCMJ violation. Once it’s flagged, expect formal action.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2022/10/does-the-military-test-for-steroids/

9. Can you lose VA benefits if discharged for drug use?
Yes. A lot of service members don’t realize it until after they’ve signed separation papers. An OTH or dishonorable discharge can block you from healthcare, education, housing, and more. You can request a review, but those decisions are tough to reverse without solid documentation.
🔗 https://www.jordanucmjlaw.com/2020/06/what-will-a-drug-charge-do-to-your-military-career/