Best Military Law Lawyers in Denver

About Military Law in Denver, United States

Military law governs the rights, responsibilities, and discipline of members of the United States armed forces. It is primarily set out in the Uniform Code of Military Justice - UCMJ - and implemented through military regulations and the Manual for Courts-Martial. In Denver and the surrounding Colorado area you will generally interact with military law if you are an active-duty member, a reservist, a National Guard member, a veteran dealing with post-service issues, or a civilian with a matter that overlaps military jurisdiction.

Matters under military law include criminal prosecutions by court-martial, administrative actions such as separations and nonjudicial punishment, investigations by military law-enforcement agencies, security-clearance actions, and proceedings tied to medical and physical fitness. While military justice is separate from the civilian criminal system, there are important points of overlap - for example, a single act can trigger both military discipline and civilian prosecution, and service-related records or benefits often require interaction with civilian agencies.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Military law is a specialized field with its own procedures, rights, and deadlines. You may need a lawyer in the following common situations:

- You are under investigation by military police or a service investigative agency and face potential disciplinary action.

- You have been notified of nonjudicial punishment such as an Article 15 proceeding.

- You face court-martial charges - summary, special, or general court-martial - which can carry heavy penalties including confinement or dishonorable discharge.

- You are subject to administrative separation, involuntary discharge, or chaptering and want to preserve your benefits and career.

- You have a dispute over security-clearance denial, suspension, or revocation.

- You need representation at an Article 32 pretrial hearing or equivalent pretrial investigation.

- You are a National Guard or Reserve member facing state-level action that interacts with federal military obligations.

- You need help appealing a court-martial conviction or navigating the military appellate system.

- You are a veteran seeking benefits, disability ratings, or appealing a decision from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

- You face concurrent civilian criminal charges, and you need coordinated defense in both military and civilian systems.

Local Laws Overview

Military justice is governed by federal law - primarily the UCMJ - so the core rules are the same across the United States, including Denver. However, several local features are relevant to people in the Denver area:

- Colorado and Denver civilian law interact with military matters when an alleged offense violates both UCMJ and state criminal law. In such cases, federal and civilian authorities coordinate to determine jurisdiction, and it is possible to face separate military and civilian proceedings.

- The Colorado National Guard operates under both state and federal chains of command. When Guardsmen are under state activation, they answer to the governor and may be subject to state law and courts. When federally mobilized, they are subject to the UCMJ.

- Denver and Colorado have veteran-focused court programs and local resources such as Veterans Treatment Court, county veterans service officers, and state veteran benefits offices. These programs can affect sentencing alternatives and reentry services for veterans involved in the civilian justice system.

- Federal military installations near Denver, such as bases or reserve centers, bring local military legal offices - Judge Advocate General offices - to the region. Those offices provide legal assistance for a range of military matters, but their role differs from civilian private counsel.

- State employment and housing protections may apply to servicemembers under federal statutes such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act - SCRA - and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act - USERRA. Local employers and courts in Denver must comply with these federal protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UCMJ and how does it affect me?

The UCMJ - Uniform Code of Military Justice - is federal law that defines military offenses, procedures, and punishments. If you are a member of the military, the UCMJ governs most aspects of criminal discipline and court-martial procedure. It establishes rights like counsel and protections like the requirement for lawful investigations.

Can a civilian lawyer represent me in a court-martial?

Yes. Service members have the right to be represented by detailed military counsel from the Judge Advocate General's office at no cost, or they may hire qualified civilian counsel at their own expense. Civilian lawyers should have experience with military law to navigate unique procedures and appellate routes.

What is nonjudicial punishment - Article 15 - and should I accept it?

Nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 allows commanders to impose discipline without a court-martial, such as fines, extra duties, or rank reductions. Accepting an Article 15 is a personal decision with career implications. You can consult counsel before choosing to accept or demand trial by court-martial, which provides fuller procedural protections but greater potential penalties.

What should I do if military investigators contact me?

You should ask whether you are free to leave and whether you are under arrest. You have rights to consult counsel before questioning - including civilian counsel or a JAG representative - and you should use that right. Avoid making voluntary statements until you have legal advice.

How do civilian prosecutions interact with military charges?

Civilian and military authorities can both prosecute the same conduct. Coordination determines which jurisdiction proceeds first, if at all. Results in one system can influence the other, so coordinated defense and counsel familiar with both systems are important.

What protections do I have under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and USERRA?

SCRA provides protections for servicemembers in civil matters - for example, stays of civil proceedings, protections against default judgments, and limits on interest rates. USERRA protects civilian employment and reemployment rights while serving. If you live in Denver and are called to duty, these federal protections apply and can be enforced in local courts or through federal agencies.

Can I appeal a court-martial decision in Denver?

Court-martial appeals follow the military appellate process, which may include the service-specific Courts of Criminal Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Some collateral or constitutional issues can be raised in federal courts through habeas petitions, but these are complex and time-sensitive. Consult experienced appellate military counsel quickly.

What is an administrative separation and can it be challenged?

An administrative separation - often called a discharge or chaptering - can be voluntary or involuntary and affects veterans benefits and future employment. Service members have rights to counsel, to review evidence, and in many cases to an administrative separation board. Legal advice can help preserve benefits, negotiate for a favorable discharge characterization, or challenge the separation.

Where can I get free legal help on base in Denver?

Military installations typically maintain legal assistance and defense services through JAG offices. These offices provide free advice and representation for qualifying matters - criminal, administrative, family law for military-connected people - but limits apply. For court-martial defense, funded military defense counsel is available, though many service members also hire civilian counsel for added experience or specialization.

How do I handle a security-clearance issue near Denver?

Security-clearance denials, suspensions, or revocations trigger administrative-review processes and may involve appeals or Board of Personnel Security procedures. Because security-clearance outcomes affect careers and employment, early legal counsel is important to collect mitigating documentation, prepare responses, and represent you at hearings.

Additional Resources

When dealing with military law in the Denver area, consider these resources and organizations for information and assistance:

- Local base Judge Advocate General - legal assistance and military defense counsel for service members.

- Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs and county veterans service officers - help with benefits, claims, and local veteran services.

- Denver County Veterans Treatment Court and similar local court programs - alternatives for veterans in the civilian criminal justice system.

- National and regional veterans legal organizations that provide representation or referrals for appeals, benefits claims, and discharge upgrades.

- Military OneSource and Department of Defense legal resources - general guidance on rights and procedures under military law.

- American Bar Association military law sections and local bar association military or veteran law committees - for referrals to civilian attorneys experienced in military law.

- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regional offices - for claims, appeals, and benefits counseling.

Next Steps

If you think you need legal assistance in military law, follow these practical steps:

- Document everything - dates, names, notices, emails, and any orders or charges. Preserve physical and electronic evidence.

- Contact your base legal office or JAG early for initial guidance and to learn about available military-provided counsel.

- If you are considering civilian counsel, seek lawyers who specifically advertise military law or courts-martial experience. Ask about trial and appellate experience and whether they have handled cases in your branch of service.

- Do not make detailed statements to investigators without consulting counsel. Use your right to counsel and to remain silent until you have legal advice.

- If the matter involves civilian charges or benefits, notify your civilian attorney about any military proceedings so defenses can be coordinated.

- Keep track of procedural deadlines - appeals, responses to notices, and hearing dates - and act quickly to preserve rights.

- If you are a veteran with a benefits issue or a discharge-characterization concern, collect your service records and any medical documentation and contact a veterans service officer or experienced veterans law attorney for assistance.

Military legal matters are time-sensitive and procedurally distinct from civilian law. Early consultation with counsel experienced in military issues - whether military-appointed or civilian-retained - will give you the best chance to protect your rights, career, and benefits while navigating the system in Denver or anywhere in the United States.