Military Criminal Defense Lawyers in New York

Serving New York and Long Island

If you are currently serving in a branch of the military and need a defense attorney, the professionals at Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein can help. They will provide an aggressive defense for airmen, soldiers, marines, seamen, and members of the Coast Guard. There are a number of defense attorneys who have prior military experience. While they may no longer be in service, they are well schooled in military law.

Service members in New York often face investigations or charges not only under the Uniform Code of Military Justice but also under New York and federal law when conduct crosses into the civilian system. Having a military criminal defense attorney New York service members can trust means working with counsel who understands how actions on or off base, in Manhattan, Long Island, or upstate, can trigger both military and civilian consequences at the same time.

There are a number of rules and regulations that can be broken while in service. They range from minor to severe. If you are convicted of a crime, you could face serious penalties like loss of rank, court-martial, and/or years in the federal penitentiary. These are very serious consequences that can affect your entire family.

In addition to court-martial exposure, a finding of misconduct can lead to separation proceedings, loss of security clearance, and changes to your discharge characterization, which may affect future employment, professional licensing, and access to veterans' benefits. For service members who are stationed in New York but whose families live elsewhere, these cascading consequences can disrupt careers, housing, and schooling in multiple states at once.

If you are in need of an experienced military defense attorney, you should find a professional firm that can offer a strong defense. A military defense attorney understands every aspect of judicial and administrative matters. They can defend you at home or abroad. Our professionals have traveled all over the world to defend military personnel who have been accused or arrested for crimes. Our success rate is far above the national average.

When we take on a case, we assess not only the specific charges but also your duty position, security obligations, and long-term career goals so that the defense strategy addresses what matters most to you. That may include coordinating with any assigned JAG attorney in New York or at your current command, reviewing investigation files, and preparing you for interviews and hearings, while always keeping your privacy and reputation in mind.

You will need an aggressive attorney to preserve your rights. You could need a lawyer for a variety of reasons. You have the right to clear your name. Whether it has to do with a criminal complaint, a reprimand, or correcting your record, a military criminal defense attorney is the best way to deal with this.

Many service members first come to us after receiving a command investigation notice, a letter of reprimand, or notification of adverse administrative action. At that stage, decisions about written responses, witness statements, and whether to make any voluntary statements can have a lasting impact on both the investigation outcome and any later proceedings, so early legal guidance is critical.

If you are accused by the military, it will not be a cakewalk. The military will bring everything it has in terms of assets, prosecution teams, and investigators to get a conviction. You will need someone with your best interests at heart to fight your battle. There have been many cases when people have been falsely accused in the military. You do not want to find yourself in the position of having to defend yourself. This is the absolute worst thing you can do.

Common Military Charges We Handle

Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard can face a wide range of charges, from purely military offenses to conduct that would also be a crime in any New York court. Understanding the nature of the accusation helps you decide how urgently you need help and what kind of defense is required. Our team has defended service members at bases across the country who were dealing with investigations at every level of seriousness.

Among the most frequent allegations are unauthorized absence and AWOL, order violations, fraternization, and substance-related offenses involving alcohol or controlled substances. Others include financial misconduct, such as BAH or travel fraud, dereliction of duty, and allegations of assault or sexual misconduct that may be investigated both by military authorities and, in some cases, by prosecutors in New York County or other local jurisdictions. Each category of offense comes with different potential punishments, including confinement, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and long-term career impact. When we evaluate a new case, we look closely at the charging documents, the investigative file, and any available electronic or physical evidence to identify weaknesses in the government’s theory. We also consider your service record, deployments, and any documented medical or mental health issues that may be relevant to the alleged conduct. This thorough review allows us to advise you realistically about risks and options, including whether to negotiate, seek case dismissal, or proceed to trial.

Understanding The Military Justice Process

The military justice system has its own rules, timelines, and procedures that are different from what most people see in civilian courts, such as the New York State Supreme Court or federal law. Knowing what to expect at each stage can reduce some of the stress and help you make informed choices. From the first interview with investigators to the final decision on discharge, every step offers opportunities to protect your future if you act promptly.

Cases often begin with a command-directed investigation or inquiry conducted under service regulations, followed by a decision on whether to impose nonjudicial punishment, start administrative separation processing, or seek a court-martial. Court-martial cases may be handled at the summary, special, or general level, depending on the seriousness of the charges and the possible penalties. Each level has different rules about the maximum punishment that can be imposed, your rights to counsel, and your ability to request or refuse certain proceedings.

At every stage, there are deadlines for responding to notices, submitting evidence in mitigation, or requesting witnesses. Missing those windows can limit your options later, even if new information comes to light. When you work with our firm, we help you track these dates, prepare written responses, and get ready to testify or remain silent when that is in your best interest, always taking into account both your military record and how any decision could affect civilian opportunities in New York and beyond.

Aggressive Defense Attorneys in New York

You will need a professional to present a very aggressive defense. A seasoned defense will have its own staff of professionals to uncover the truth about your case. Under military law, you do have certain rights if accused. In military law, there are self-incrimination protections. You also have a right to counsel. In the military, you have the right to have free representation. You can, however, pay for your own defense attorney out of pocket.

In New York, it is common for allegations to arise from conduct that occurs off base, such as in Manhattan, Queens, or Suffolk County, and to be investigated first by civilian law enforcement before being referred back to your command. A military criminal defense lawyer New York service members retain privately can coordinate with both systems, help you avoid inconsistent statements, and work to protect you from unnecessary pretrial confinement or restrictive conditions.

Why take your chance with an attorney appointed by the military court? While they are required by law to afford you a good defense, they may lack the resources to give you everything you need. This is especially the case if you have a very complex case.

A privately retained lawyer is able to devote additional time to interviewing witnesses, analyzing digital evidence, and consulting with forensic or mental health professionals when needed. For service members facing high-visibility accusations that may draw media or command attention in New York, having counsel who can respond quickly, explain the process to families, and manage parallel civilian and military issues can make an already stressful situation more manageable.

If you are in the military and find yourself accused of a crime, you should enlist the help of the professionals at Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein. Call for a free consultation. They will assist in clearing you of the charges and restoring your reputation.