The Law Office of Philip D. Cave - Alexandria, VA

Dedicated Civilian Military Defense and UCMJ Advocacy

When a member of the United States Armed Forces is accused or suspected of an offense, their career, rank, retirement benefits, and freedom are immediately put at risk. Unlike the civilian court system, the military justice system under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) operates with its own unique rules, procedures, and high-stakes consequences. The Law Office of Philip D. Cave (operating as Cave and Freeburg, LLP) in Alexandria, Virginia, is a premier, veteran-owned law firm dedicated to defending service members worldwide across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Led by Philip D. Cave, a retired Navy JAG Commander with more than four decades of military justice experience, the firm provides aggressive and strategic representation. Whether you are stationed locally in Northern Virginia or deployed overseas, having a highly skilled civilian military attorney is essential to navigating the complexities of a military investigation. If you are facing serious charges, you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in military court-martial trials and has a deep understanding of the military environment.

Defending Against Court-Martial Trials and Serious Offenses

The firm has extensive experience handling a full spectrum of military criminal allegations, ranging from administrative misconduct to complex general courts-martial. They represent service members accused of serious crimes under the UCMJ, such as:

• Article 120 Sexual Assault: Providing defense strategies against sexual assault, harassment, and abusive sexual contact allegations.
• Violent Crimes: Defending individuals accused of manslaughter, domestic violence (Article 128b), and assault.
• Financial Crimes: Strategic defense for fraud, larceny, and military property theft.
• Drug Crimes: Challenging positive urinalysis test results and allegations of drug use or distribution.

By conducting rigorous independent investigations and leveraging deep knowledge of the Manual for Courts-Martial, the legal team ensures that the government is held to its burden of proof beyond a doubt.

Career Protection: Article 15/NJP and Administrative Actions

For many service members, an adverse administrative action can be just as devastating to a military career as a court-martial conviction. The Law Office of Philip D. Cave regularly advises clients on non-judicial punishment (NJP/Article 15, Navy captain's mast, or Marine Office Hours). The decision of whether to accept NJP or demand trial by court-martial is a critical strategic call that requires professional legal counsel.

The attorneys also offer strong representation for administrative separation boards, promotion boards, GOMORs (General Officer Letters of Reprimand), and security clearance disputes. Protecting your military record from negative evaluations or administrative discharges is vital to securing your future pension and civilian transition.

Strategic Court-Martial Appeals and Appellate Advocacy

If you have already been convicted at a court-martial, your fight is not over. The Law Office of Philip D. Cave is a leading authority on military appellate law. They handle complex appeals before all service courts of criminal appeals, as well as the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF). By identifying procedural errors, constitutional violations, and misapplications of military law during your trial, their appellate team works to overturn wrongful convictions and secure a fair resolution.