Q: What kind of disciplinary action do military cadets face for drug charges?
For several months, a probe has been ongoing into suspected military drug crimes at the US Military Academy in West Point. The list of cadets facing charges continues to rise with a seventh cadet being recently added.
Two of the six cadets initially charged will face courts-martial for drug charges for alleged violations of Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”) Article 81 and Article 112a “involving the wrongful distribution, introduction and use of cocaine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and alprazolam”. The other four cadets are waiting to see if they will face courts-martial or military administrative action.
The seventh and most recent cadet was reportedly charged with “seven military violations involving the intent to distribute cocaine and oxycodone”.
Military drug crime attorneys have several tools to help them mount an aggressive defense of the charges.
In cases of drug use allegations, some defenses may include that the drug was legally prescribed to the user, or that it was ingested unknowingly, or that there was some error in the drug test performed. If the drug was used intentionally, presenting evidence of a soldier’s favorable record of service or good moral character can be mitigating factors.
In cases of possession or distribution of drugs, a skilled military defense attorney can question many things about how the search that led to the discovery of the drugs was conducted. An improper search may result in the evidence being suppressed.
Don’t trust your reputation, career, and freedom to an inexperienced court-appointed attorney from the trial defense service. If you are facing allegations or fear charges that you violated UCMJ112 are forthcoming, contact the court-martial law division of Aviso Law, LLC in Denver, Colorado at 719-247-3111 for a free consultation. Our experienced military defense attorneys represent service members and veterans worldwide.
