Kitsap County Military
Defense Lawyer

You’ve dedicated your life to serving your country.

Now the military justice system is coming after you,
and the government has a full legal team ready to go.

You need someone who has been on both sides of that system.

Someone who knows exactly how they think,
how they build their cases, and exactly how to fight back.

LaCross Law has joined forces with attorney Patrick McLain, a former JAG lawyer, USMC defense attorney, and retired court-martial trial judge with over 30 years of military legal experience, to bring Kitsap County service members the military defense representation they deserve.

Your career is worth fighting for. Call LaCross Law
today for a free consultation with our military defense team.

Call Defense Lawyers Who Fight Back: 360-447-9365
Call Defense Lawyers Who Fight Back: 360-447-9365
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Our Military Defense Services in Kitsap County

Court-Martial Defense

A court-martial isn’t just a hearing.

It’s a federal criminal prosecution, and a conviction can mean prison time, a punitive discharge, loss of your pension, and a permanent federal record that follows you for life.

Attorney Patrick McLain has tried court-martial cases at every level.

He knows what military prosecutors look for, what military judges respond to, and where the cracks in the government’s case are most likely to appear. If you’re facing a court-martial at Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Station Bremerton, Bangor, or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, this is the team you want by your side.

We handle cases involving:

  • Sexual assault under Article 120 UCMJ
  • Drug use and positive urinalysis
  • AWOL and failure to report for duty
  • Fraud, larceny, and financial crimes
  • Insubordination and conduct unbecoming
  • Fraternization, adultery, and sex offenses
  • Computer crimes and Article 134 offenses
  • War crimes

UCMJ Administrative Actions

Not every military legal crisis ends up at trial.

Service members may instead face non-judicial punishment under Article 15, administrative separation proceedings, relief-for-cause actions, adverse fitness reports, letters of reprimand, or other disciplinary measures that can significantly impact their careers.

While these proceedings may not carry the same formal procedures as a court-martial, the consequences can be just as serious, affecting promotions, security clearances, retirement benefits, and continued military service.

Administrative actions often move quickly and provide fewer procedural protections than criminal proceedings, making it critical to act immediately when your career and reputation are on the line.

Attorney Patrick McLain understands the military justice system and knows how to challenge allegations, present mitigating evidence, and advocate for service members facing administrative action, bringing a higher level of defense to the Kitsap County military community.

Security Clearance Defense

If your clearance is revoked, your career in the military, and often your civilian career in defense or government, is over.

For many service members, a security clearance is more than a job requirement: it is the foundation of a military career and future employment opportunities in the defense, intelligence, and government sectors.

Security clearance cases often involve allegations related to financial concerns, criminal conduct, personal conduct, foreign influence, substance use, or security violations.

These matters are governed by a complex administrative process that requires a strategic response from the very beginning.

Attorney Patrick McLain has successfully represented individuals facing security clearance investigations and revocations, including cases resolved before reaching a formal hearing before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).

Dual Military & Civilian Criminal Charges

Facing charges in both civilian court and under the UCMJ at the same time? This is one of the most dangerous situations a servicemember can be in, and one of the most complex to navigate.

Few legal situations are more serious than facing criminal allegations in both civilian court and under the Uniform Code of Military Justice at the same time.

Decisions that may seem beneficial in civilian court can create unexpected consequences for a military case, and vice versa.

Many service members do not realize that a civilian arrest can quickly trigger military consequences, even before a criminal case is resolved.

Statements made to civilian law enforcement, plea agreements, and court outcomes can all affect how the military handles your case.

Without a coordinated defense strategy, service members risk exposing themselves to additional criminal liability, administrative action, or career-ending consequences.

Court-Martial Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief

Already been convicted? It may not be too late.

A court-martial conviction does not always mean your legal options have ended.

Service members who believe legal errors occurred during their court-martial may have opportunities to challenge the outcome through the military appellate system or pursue other forms of post-conviction relief.

These proceedings require a detailed understanding of military law, appellate procedure, and the issues that can impact the validity of a conviction or sentence.

If you believe errors affected the outcome of your case, your sentence was unjust, or your military record no longer reflects the full story, there may still be opportunities to seek relief.

The military justice system provides several avenues for challenging convictions, correcting records, upgrading discharges, and addressing decisions that continue to impact your career, benefits, and future opportunities.

Successfully pursuing post-conviction relief requires more than simply disagreeing with the outcome. It requires identifying legal errors, procedural mistakes, evidentiary issues, or other grounds that justify further review. These cases demand a detailed understanding of military law and the appellate process, as well as the ability to build a compelling case for why relief should be granted.

Get Started on Your Defense

STEP ONE:
STEP TWO:
STEP THREE:

STEP ONE:

Call 360-447-9365 now to tell us about your case.

STEP TWO:

We’ll schedule an in-person meeting to discuss your options.

STEP THREE:

We’ll get started on building you the strongest defense possible – together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Your assigned JAG attorney is part of the military chain of command and may be handling dozens of cases at once. Attorney McLain works exclusively for you, answers only to you, and brings a level of experience and personalized focus that an appointed defense counsel simply cannot match.

Stop talking. Do not give a statement to NCIS, CID, your commanding officer, or anyone else until you have spoken with an attorney. Call us first. Early intervention is often the single most important factor in how a military investigation turns out.

An Article 15 (also called NJP, or Captain’s Mast in the Navy) lets your commanding officer punish you without a court-martial. In most cases, you have the right to refuse and demand a court-martial instead. Whether that’s the right move depends entirely on your specific situation, which is exactly why you need an experienced attorney before you decide.

This is a serious situation that requires coordinated defense across both systems. Outcomes in one proceeding can and will affect the other. Attorney McLain’s background in both federal prosecution and UCMJ defense makes him one of the few attorneys in the region genuinely equipped to handle both tracks at once.

Yes. Civilian defense attorneys are authorized to access military installations to represent their clients. Attorney McLain and the LaCross Law team coordinate base access for meetings, hearings, and all proceedings as needed.

It depends on the complexity of your case. What we can tell you is this: the cost of not having experienced representation, losing your career, your retirement, your clearance, your freedom, is far higher. We offer free consultations and transparent fee discussions so you know exactly what to expect.

Not necessarily. We handle court-martial appeals, BCMR and Discharge Review Board petitions, and Physical Evaluation Board appeals. Contact us to discuss whether your case has grounds for post-conviction relief, time limits apply, so don’t wait.

All six: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Including Navy and Coast Guard personnel stationed at Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Station Bremerton, Bangor, and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Ready to Fight Back? Contact LaCross Law’s Military Defense Team Today

You’ve given everything to your service. Don’t let a court-martial, an NJP, or a UCMJ investigation take it all away without a fight.

LaCross Law, with attorney Patrick McLain’s 30+ years of military legal experience, is ready to stand with you.

Call us today for a free consultation.

We’ll listen, get to work, and fight for you.