Article 15
An Article 15, non-judicial punishment, captain’s mast or office hours
is a proceeding typically used by commanders to punish military members for relatively
minor offenses. Attorney Mike Coco has defended many military clients in grades
E-1 to O-4 in Article 15 proceedings. It is important for military members facing
an Article 15 to know that an Article 15 itself is a choice of forum, not an admission
of guilt. A military member may turn down an Article 15 and demand trial by court-martial.
A military member may accept an Article 15 and still fight for their commander
to find that the member did not commit the alleged offense or show that mitigating
circumstances exist. An experienced counsel can advise a client on what choices
may be most beneficial for them and to put together a defense case to fight for
the best possible outcome.