Specific legal cases, such as those dealing with military personnel, need to be handled by professionals with knowledge of military life. Cases include those in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. We understand the difficulty in finding a lawyer who understands your case and connects to you on a personal level. Christopher St. John of The Law Offices of Christopher St. John is a licensed trial attorney whose practice areas include criminal law, legal ethics, municipal law, personal injury, and trial practice. He has the desired skills and first-hand involvement to succeed in the cases he takes on.
Mr. St. John graduated from Rutgers University – Camden School of Law and earned his B.A. in political science from Arizona State University. He is admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey and before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is a highly qualified New Jersey attorney for military personnel due to his own experience in the United States Armed Forces. He currently serves in the United States Army JAG Corps as a Captain and is a trusted advisor to commanders on various legal and administrative issues affecting soldiers of the United States Army.
Uniform Code of Military Justice
Mr. St. John focuses his litigation on prosecution matters involving the violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ defines the military justice system and includes a list of offenses under military law. The President of the United states is required to write the rules to be implemented into law. These regulations are known as the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM) and details maximum punishments for military offenses.
Military law includes many different sanctions depending on the severity of the crime. MCMs are the most severe sanctions and are considered the same as a federal conviction. These charges can result in jail time, punitive or dishonorable discharge, or a reduction in class rank. Military court-martials contain three sub-levels, including:
- Summary : A rare sanction, this is considered a nonjudicial punishment proceeding resulting in either confinement, forfeit of pay, or reduction to the lowest pay grade.
- Special : A special court-martial is in charge of all personnel charged with any UCMJ offense. These martials are used to try offenses with medium severity and include punishments, such as confinement, forfeited pay, reduction to lowest pay, or bad conduct discharge.
- General : This is the most severe sanction and reserved for the most serious offenses. Offenses in this category include rape, murder, or robbery. A general court-martial can impose any sentence authorized by the MCM.
These levels are chosen depending on the severity of the offense and the class of the accused. Mr. St. John has both personal involvement and legal knowledge making him a thriving and diligent attorney. He is able to connect with his clients on an individual level and provide expert advice to those who need it. His unique perspective on military law provides him with inside information and the experience needed to successfully close a case.
South Jersey Litigation Lawyers at The Law Offices of Christopher St. John Advocate for Those in the Military
If you served in the military and are in need of legal counsel, contact the South Jersey litigation lawyers at The Law Offices of Christopher St. John for help with your case. Mr. St. John handles every case with the respect and dignity they deserve no matter what the case involves. Call us today at 856-296-3481 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Haddonfield, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Camden County, Salem County, Burlington County, and Gloucester County.
Christopher St. John
Tess Berkowitz