The Hanzel Law Firm Court Martial
Fighting to Protect Your Rights, Career & Future

Court Martial Defense in Mount Pleasant, SC

Former JAG Counsel for Service Members Facing Court-Martial Trial

A court-martial is a military criminal trial conducted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The stakes are serious: conviction can mean confinement, a punitive discharge, and permanent damage to a military career. The Hanzel Law Firm, based in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, provides court-martial defense to service members worldwide, wherever they are stationed.

The firm was founded by Michael B. Hanzel, a former Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer who spent more than a decade inside the military justice system, both as a prosecutor and as defense counsel. That dual vantage point shapes every defense strategy he builds.

Service members facing a court-martial need a defense attorney with real trial experience in military courts. Call The Hanzel Law Firm at (843) 202-4714 to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation.

Court-Martial Trial Results That Speak for Themselves

Trial outcomes matter more than credentials alone. The Hanzel Law Firm reports a 100% success rate in drug and urinalysis court-martials and a 71% acquittal rate across court-martial cases. These figures reflect Attorney Hanzel’s background trying cases before military judges and panels, not just handling administrative matters.

His record extends beyond the trial level. Attorney Hanzel’s work on U.S. v. Cooley helped revitalize the Article 10 UCMJ speedy-trial right, prevailing at both the Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. That kind of appellate reach is uncommon for a firm based in Mount Pleasant, SC, and it reflects a commitment to fighting cases at every stage.

The firm handles cases remotely and travels when a client’s situation requires it. No matter where a service member is stationed, The Hanzel Law Firm may be able to step in.

The Three Types of Court-Martial Under the UCMJ

The UCMJ recognizes three types of court-martial, each with different jurisdiction, procedures, and potential punishments.

General Court-Martial
This is the highest level of military trial court, reserved for the most serious offenses. Before charges can be referred to a General court-martial, the accused has the right to an Article 32 preliminary hearing, where the evidence is evaluated for sufficiency. A General court-martial can impose any punishment authorized under the UCMJ, including lengthy confinement and a dishonorable discharge.

Special Court-Martial
A Special court-martial handles intermediate-level offenses. Under the UCMJ, it is typically composed of a military judge and a panel of four service members, or a military judge alone, and it carries a more limited range of punishments than a General court-martial, though a bad-conduct discharge remains possible.

Summary Court-Martial
Reserved for minor offenses involving enlisted members, a Summary court-martial requires the accused’s consent to proceed. It is presided over by a single commissioned officer rather than a military judge and carries the most restricted range of punishments.

Court-Martial Defense Near Joint Base Lindsey Graham

The Charleston region is home to significant military infrastructure. Joint Base Lindsey Graham, formerly known as Joint Base Charleston and renamed in August 2026, resulted from the 2010 merger of Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston and supports thousands of active-duty personnel across Air Force and Navy commands. Within Joint Base Lindsey Graham sits the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, which holds pretrial and post-trial military prisoners from all service branches.

The Hanzel Law Firm represents service members stationed at Joint Base Lindsey Graham and throughout the greater Charleston area. The firm’s proximity to these installations, combined with its national reach, means clients receive locally grounded counsel backed by experience in military courts across multiple jurisdictions.

Start Your Defense with a Free Consultation

The earlier a defense attorney is involved in a court-martial case, the more options are available. The Hanzel Law Firm offers a free 30-minute consultation to discuss the charges, the stage of the proceeding, and what a defense strategy could look like. The firm represents clients no matter where they are stationed.

Contact The Hanzel Law Firm at (843) 202-4714 to speak directly with Attorney Hanzel about your court-martial case.

How a Court-Martial Case Moves from Allegation to Trial

Understanding the sequence of a court-martial proceeding helps service members make informed decisions early, when those decisions carry the most weight.

Command Investigation
Before formal charges exist, a command may initiate an investigation. NCIS, OSI, or CID agents may gather statements and evidence. A service member has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with counsel before providing any statement.

Preferral & Referral of Charges
Charges are first “preferred” by a sworn accusation. A convening authority then reviews those charges and decides whether to “refer” them to the appropriate level of court-martial for trial. In more serious cases, an Article 32 preliminary hearing takes place before referral to a General court-martial, giving the defense an opportunity to examine the government’s evidence.

Right to Civilian Defense Counsel
At every stage, a service member has the right to hire civilian defense counsel in addition to or instead of assigned military counsel. Retaining independent counsel before a formal charge is preferred can affect the investigation itself. The Hanzel Law Firm guides clients through each stage, from initial investigation through trial.

What a Court-Martial Conviction Can Cost You

The consequences of a court-martial conviction reach well beyond the courtroom. Depending on the offense and the level of court-martial, a convicted service member may face confinement, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and a punitive discharge such as a bad-conduct or dishonorable discharge.

The collateral losses can be just as damaging. A conviction can strip a veteran of GI Bill education benefits, retirement funds accumulated over years of service, and an honorable characterization of discharge, with that other-than-honorable designation following them into civilian employment. These losses aren’t recoverable through administrative channels once imposed. A strong defense at trial is often critical when those consequences are on the line.

What Our work means

Zealous & Ethical Legal Advocacy
After serving on active duty, Attorney Michael Hanzel has since devoted himself to standing up for fellow servicemembers.
Fighting for Your Constitutional Rights
As JAG, Attorney Michael Hanzel swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. He will protect your rights and fighting for your freedom.
Know the Criminal Justice System Inside & Out
Our attorneys have seen the best and worst of our justice system. They will do what it takes to navigate you through its complexities.
Proven Track Record as US Navy JAG
With over a decade of experience in the military justice system, Attorney Michael Hazel has achieved outstanding results for our clients.

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I became embroiled in a clinical adverse action with DHA and retained the Hanzel Law Firm to assist me in restoring my hard-earned reputation. Mike, Lauren, and Marshal all had involvement and provided excellent advice as well as were instrumental in dismantling the DHA case at the hearing and securing and restoring my medical privileges and reputation. Through the morass of a changing and unresponsive administrative environment from DHA, they were there for me all the way. In the increasingly hostile clinical arena of DHA, this is the firm to choose to defend your clinical privileges and reputation.

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