The Hanzel Law Firm Military Urinalysis & Drug Crimes
Fighting to Protect Your Rights, Career & Future

Military Drug Defense Lawyers

Contact Our Firm for Military Drug Charge Defense in Mt. Pleasant—We Serve Nationwide

If you are a servicemember accused of a drug offense, you should seek experienced defense counsel immediately. Drug offenses can end your career, depriving you of the benefits that you’ve earned, like millions of dollars in retirement pay and the GI Bill.

Whether your command chooses to Article 15 / NJP and administratively separate you, or court-martial you, there is no question that in the military, you are often looked at as guilty until proven innocent, despite the presumption of innocence that the law is supposed to give you.

Having run military defense offices, we know that positive urinalysis cases are often given to the most junior and inexperienced JAGs. In light of the zero-tolerance policy that every branch of service has, if you value your career, you need professional help. If you are in danger of facing military discharge for drug use, contact one of our military drug lawyers today.

Ready to fight for your career? Call The Hanzel Law Firm at (843) 202-4714 or reach out online.

Understanding Military Drug Laws Under the UCMJ

Drug offenses in the military are primarily prosecuted under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This article covers the wrongful possession, manufacture, distribution, and use of controlled substances.

Unlike civilian law, the military does not need to find physical drugs in your possession to charge you; a laboratory report showing metabolites in your system is often enough for the government to initiate a Court-Martial.

The zero-tolerance policy is one of the most well-known military policies and extends to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Common drug offenses charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) include:

Drug use (positive urinalysis)
Drug possession
Drug distribution (selling or sharing drugs)
Making or growing drugs
Possession of drug paraphernalia

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Drug Conviction

The military handles drug offenses with extreme prejudice. A conviction or a "finding" of drug use can lead to consequences that follow you into civilian life.

Judicial Penalties (Court-Martial)

Punitive Discharge: A Bad-Conduct Discharge (BCD) or Dishonorable Discharge (for enlisted) or a Dismissal (for officers). These strip you of your "Veteran" status and most VA benefits.
Confinement: Depending on the drug and the amount, you could face months or years in a military brig.
Reduction in Rank: Being reduced to the lowest enlisted grade (E-1), resulting in a massive loss of pay and status.

Administrative and Collateral Consequences

Mandatory Administrative Separation (ADSEP): Most branches mandate that command initiate separation for any drug use. We represent you at the ADSEP board to fight for retention.
Loss of Security Clearance: A drug-related incident almost always results in the immediate revocation of your clearance, ending your ability to work in many military and contracting MOSs.
GOMOR/LOA: A permanent Letter of Reprimand in your official file that prevents future promotion and triggers a "show cause" board for officers.
Federal Criminal Record: A Court-Martial conviction is a federal felony or misdemeanor conviction that appears on all future civilian background checks.

Experienced Mt. Pleasant Military Defense Team at Your Service

At The Hanzel Law Firm, we have defended service members facing positive urinalysis, drug abuse, and drug distribution charges for drugs ranging from marijuana (THC), spice, cocaine, crack, LSD, methamphetamines, and Ecstasy to prescription drugs and steroids.

Attorney Michael Hanzel has defended countless service members charged with drug offenses, worked with and cross-examined drug lab experts, and taught many of the Navy’s young JAGs how to defend these cases. Whether in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, the earlier you bring your case to us, the better off you will be.

Fighting to protect your rights, career & future. Get a free 30-minute case evaluation at The Hanzel Law Firm today.

Strategies for Article 15/NJP & Drug Offense Discharges

If you tested positive on a urinalysis, seek legal help immediately. Even if your command does not take you to court-martial for drug use, you are almost assured to be facing punishment at Article 15 / NJP. Then, under mandatory processing regulations of every service, you will be processed for administrative separation with less than an honorable discharge.

You will face complex, critical decisions at the Article 15 / NJP and administrative separation phases that you should have expert advice about. The choices you make will determine whether you are allowed to continue serving in the military and what kind of discharge you may get if you are separated. Call our military drug lawyers at The Hanzel Law Firm today to discuss your legal options.

The Military Drug Testing and Defense Process

Whether you are at Fort Jackson or a base in Okinawa, the drug testing and legal process follows a strict protocol. The Hanzel Law Firm intervenes at every stage:

The Urinalysis Notification: From the moment you are told to provide a sample, your rights are in play. If the "random" test was actually a targeted search without a warrant, we move to suppress the results.
Laboratory Analysis: The sample is sent to a DoD drug testing laboratory (like the one at Fort Meade or Lackland). We obtain the "Litigation Package"—the hundreds of pages of raw data behind your test—to look for "lab spikes," machine errors, or contaminated batches.
Command Investigation: CID, NCIS, or OSI may attempt to interview you. We advise you on your Article 31(b) rights—the military's version of Miranda rights—to ensure you do not make a statement that helps the government's case.
The Administrative Separation Board: If the government doesn't go to a Court-Martial, they will try to fire you administratively. We present evidence of your "good soldier" character and expert testimony regarding the test results to fight for your retention.
Court-Martial Litigation: If you are charged judicially, we take the case to trial. We cross-examine the government’s "expert" toxicologists to expose the limitations of their testing methods.

Understanding Your Rights: The Importance of Legal Representation

Navigating military drug offenses can be a complex and daunting process. Understanding your rights is crucial when facing drug-related charges within the military system. At The Hanzel Law Firm, we firmly believe that every service member deserves a knowledgeable advocate who can protect their interests and guide them through the various stages of a legal case.

Some key rights you should be aware of include:

Right to Legal Counsel: You have the right to consult with and have an attorney present during questioning.
Right to Remain Silent: You don't have to answer questions or provide statements that may incriminate you.
Right to a Fair Hearing: You are entitled to due process and a fair hearing before penalties are decided.
Right to Challenge Evidence: You can contest the evidence presented against you during your case.

Our team at The Hanzel Law Firm is dedicated to helping you understand and exercise these rights. With our extensive experience in military law, we will ensure that you are fully informed at every step of the legal process. Don't leave your future to chance; contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Ready to defend your Military Career? Call (843) 202-4714 or reach out online for expert legal guidance.

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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