Found in Articles 120—120c, UCMJ
Have you been accused of sexual assault? Are you worried about what this means for your life, both in the military and beyond? Read below to learn more about these types of offenses.
Sexual assault and related sex offenses in the military often come with the same sex offender registration requirements as sex crimes in the civilian world. Confinement is common upon conviction, as is a punitive discharge (which may even be required depending on the crime).
In the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the bulk of the sex offenses are found in Articles 120—120c. The breakdown is as follows:
- Article 120: Rape and sexual assault generally.
- Article 120a: Mails: deposit of obscene matter.
- Article 120b: Rape and sexual assault of a child.
- Article 120c: Other sexual misconduct.
Each UCMJ article above has various subsections which criminalize distinct conduct, thereby covering a wide variety of acts.
There have been multiple changes to this area of the law in recent years. Thus, an offense that allegedly occurred several years ago may be prosecuted under the prior version of the UCMJ, which was in effect at the time of the conduct. The statute of limitations in the UCMJ has also been amended in recent years, which can further complicate things.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE
Facing a court-martial can be an overwhelming experience. Sometimes things move extremely fast and it’s like a blur. Other times, the investigation is painfully slow and fosters crippling anxiety. No matter what, it is important to have someone in your corner who you can trust. Someone who can advocate for you. And someone who isn’t afraid to stand-up against long odds.
As a former active duty JAG officer and two-time defense counsel in the Air Force, Ross Brennan at Cronauer Law is a seasoned advocate in military court rooms. Contact Cronauer Law today for a free consultation with an experienced military criminal defense attorney.
To learn more about a court-martial in the military, see these related links:
- Court-Martial Overview
- Types of Offenses at a Court-Martial
- The Steps in a Court-Martial
- Constitutional Rights at a Court-Martial
- The Right to Remain Silent: Article 31, UCMJ
- Military Investigations
- Military Searches
- Searches of Cell Phones and Electronics