Service members take an oath to protect the nation — but when they are accused of a federal crime, the weight of that oath can feel like it’s working against them. Federal charges are already serious. For military personnel, the challenges multiply. From security clearances and command notifications to potential Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) consequences, a single federal allegation can jeopardize a career, benefits, retirement, and reputation.
At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we know these pressures firsthand. Our founding attorney is a retired Marine Corps officer, a former federal prosecutor, and a seasoned military defense lawyer. We understand both the civilian and military systems — and we know how to protect service members when everything is on the line.
Federal Charges Can Trigger Dual Exposure: Civilian and Military
When a service member is charged with a federal crime, the case is handled in federal court just as a civilian case would be. But that does not mean the military steps aside. Your command may conduct its own inquiry, initiate administrative actions, or pursue punitive measures under the UCMJ, depending on the allegations and the outcome of the federal case.
This dual exposure means:
- You may face consequences even if you’re acquitted in federal court.
- Administrative actions — such as administrative separation or loss of rank — can occur independent of the criminal case.
- Your command may restrict your duties or access while the case is pending.
A civilian without military status does not face these additional layers of risk. For uniformed personnel, this makes early, strategic legal intervention absolutely essential.
Security Clearances, Deployments, and Career Advancement Are at Risk
Many federal crimes — especially those involving fraud, drugs, classified information, weapons, or financial misconduct — can directly impact a service member’s security clearance. A suspended or revoked clearance often means a suspended career.
Service members may also experience:
- Loss of deployment eligibility
- Limited access to workspaces or systems
- Removal from leadership positions
- Halted promotions or mandatory MOS/AFSC reclassification
These consequences can begin long before a conviction — sometimes immediately after an allegation is made.
Commands Are Not Neutral Observers
While commanders are not prosecutors in a federal case, they still have enormous influence over a service member’s life. They may issue no-contact orders, limit off-base privileges, remove the member from sensitive duties, or initiate internal investigations.
Service members often worry that:
- Their command assumes guilt
- Their military career will end regardless of the case outcome
- Reporting requirements will lead to enhanced scrutiny or stigma
A defense attorney with military experience understands how to communicate with command leadership, protect your rights, and help prevent unnecessary overreach while the case unfolds.
Federal Sentencing and Military Consequences Can Compound Each Other
Federal convictions can carry prison time, fines, restitution, supervised release, and a permanent federal record. For service members, the consequences do not stop there.
A federal conviction may lead to:
- Administrative separation
- Loss of benefits
- Forfeiture of retirement
- Bar to reenlistment
- Dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge (depending on subsequent actions under the UCMJ)
A lawyer with deep experience in both systems understands how the federal case may impact the service member’s military standing — and how to defend the client in a way that protects their freedom and career.
Why Military Members Need a Defense Attorney With Military and Federal Experience
Defending a service member against federal charges is not the same as defending a civilian. The stakes are higher, the pressures are greater, and the consequences stretch far beyond the courtroom.
Military Criminal Defense Attorney
Attorney Patrick J. McLain brings unique insight to these cases because he has lived the military life, enforced federal law, and defended countless service members across Texas and nationwide. When your rank, reputation, freedom, and future are threatened, you need someone who understands every part of the battlefield.
If you are an active-duty service member, reservist, or veteran facing federal charges, contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, today. Call (214) 238-9392 for a confidential consultation. We’re ready to defend you — in federal court and beyond.