Military Drug Offenses

Military Criminal Defense Lawyers

Military service member involvement with illegal drugs may result in a number of serious consequences, including involuntary discharge on the grounds of misconduct, or court-martial. A court-martial conviction may mean that a service member will face pay reduction, confinement, and other penalties. Allegations of a drug crime may shatter your dreams of a successful military career. All U.S. military branches are aggressive in their investigation and prosecution of all types of drug offenses, including drug use, possession, trafficking, sale, distribution, cultivation and more.

If you have been accused of a drug crime, consult a military lawyer at The Gould Law Firm for a free initial consultation. With over twenty years of experience in military law and as a Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy (Reserve Component) Keith M. Gould has the specific knowledge and experience you should look for in a military lawyer.

Drug Crimes and Positive Urinalysis

The military commonly conducts random urinalysis testing and other measures of determining whether service members are using drugs or are involved with them in any way. Refusing or testing positive on a urinalysis does not necessarily mean that a service member is guilty of taking drugs. Just as other U.S. citizens have rights, military personnel are also granted extensive rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the right to legal counsel and to due process of the law when accused of a crime. Be sure that you consult an attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your rights in court-martial and administrative discharge proceedings.

There are different viable defenses that your attorney may be able to use on your behalf in order to help you avoid a conviction in court-martial or an involuntary discharge. For example, it must be proven that you consciously and willfully ingested the illegal drug. Testing positive on a urinalysis should not be enough to warrant a conviction. Additionally, it is possible for a urinalysis to show a false positive even when a person ingested no narcotics.

Facing drug charges? Contact The Gould Law Firm today for your free case evaluation.