Joseph Wayne Kastl

Judge Kastl is the lead counsel for The Military Defender and he prides himself on an extensive knowledge of military law. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, we serve those who serve us each day. Judge Kastl has lectured at the Army JAG School at Charlottesville, Virginia, and at the Military Judicial Conference in Washington, DC. He has also taught at undergard and graduate school levels, as well as presenting short courses at military judges' conferences. His television appearances, include CSPAN™, among others.

As a judge, he made many significant contributions to the law. In 1983, he declared the military death penalty unconstitutional in United States v. Gay. Both Army and Navy-Marine Courts had upheld the death penalty though military practice lacked any aggravating or mitigating factors. He was correct on appeal—a trend that continued in virtually every decision reviewed by higher courts. In fact, one respected retired justice specialist has called his opinions "the finest every produced in the Air Force".

​He has also issued landmark decisions in drug, fraternization, child abuse and many other cases of high military significance. Twice, Mr. Kastl was named Air Force Major Command Outstanding Young Lawyer of the year. He has written extensively for various military and legal publications.