The board of inquiry is essentially an administrative separation board for commissioned officers called to examine all the particulars of the event, allegation, or performance of duties. A board of inquiry is an administrative process established to determine whether an officer’s misconduct or non-performance of duty warrants administrative separation. It is generally convened after an incident or event that adversely affects the performance or reputation of the branch involved and/or the officer himself. Under the administrative regulations, a board of inquiry is made up of officers higher in rank than the officer appearing before the board.
If you’re in trouble with the military, don’t leave your future to chance. We assist members of the military with criminal & family matters throughout Virginia, including Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Station Oceana, Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Lee, Fort Eustis, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown & Langley AFB. Call us today.
You Have the Right to Defend Your Position — Use It!
The board of inquiry is an adversarial process. You will have every opportunity to defend yourself. Unfortunately, many servicemen and women wait until just before the board convenes before hiring a lawyer. If you have been notified that you are under a command investigation or notified that you will be the subject of a board of inquiry, it is critically important that you have an aggressive, knowledgeable military defense attorney defending your side and protecting your rights immediately.
With so much at stake, you are allowed a number of rights at the hearing, including the following items:
- You are allowed a military attorney, or be allowed to engage a civilian defense attorney, at your own cost.
- You are allowed reasonable time to prepare. At least 30 days from the date of the show cause notice, but possible, more, depending on the facts of your case.
- You are allowed full access to the records of the hearing, except documents classified in the interests of national security. Where such classified documents are relevant to your case, you will be provided with a summary, to the extent that national security concerns permit.
- You are allowed to challenge members of the board.
- You are allowed to submit evidence, appear in person, testify or choose to remain silent and be represented. If you choose to testify, you may be cross-examined. You may also request witnesses to testify, and question your and the military’s witnesses.
Before a decision is made by the board, you have the following options:
- If eligible, apply for voluntary retirement
- Resign
- Request a discharge
A Strong Reputation for Effective Advocacy
Anthony Williams & Eric Stone both served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps & have earned reputations among servicemen and women for providing effective, focused defense representation in all matters relating to command investigations, courts-martial, and administrative separations. Mr. Williams & Mr. Stone successfully defended hundreds of service members and kept them from being discharged from the military.
If You Have Already Implicated Yourself or Admitted Your Guilt
Even if you have already made a statement implicating your guilt or involvement in an incident, it is not too late. Anthony Williams or Eric Stone may be able to get the statements suppressed if your rights were violated during the investigation.
Schedule A Consultation – Call Now
From our offices in both Stafford & Fredericksburg, VA, we represent members of the U.S. Armed Forces and military contractors involved in military justice cases and investigations at installations throughout the United States. The right board of inquiry attorney can save your career. We service all of Virginia with military matters, including Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Naval Station Oceana, Fort A.P. Hill near Bowling Green, Fort Lee in Prince George County, Fort Eustis near Newport News, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall around Arlington, Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in York County & Langley AFB adjacent to Hampton & Newport News.
Contact our offices for a consultation & learn how we can help protect your rights.
