Sexual Assault in the Military

Sexual assault allegations can strip service members of their rank, reputation, money, time, and freedom if they do not find someone to properly defend them. The best thing to do is call a professional, highly skilled defense attorney who knows how to handle military criminal cases.

1. Elements of Sexual Assault

   Sexual assault is a sexual contact or act that is non-consensual and occurs through the assaulter*s use of threats, bodily harm or the victim*s incapacitation. Sexual assault can range from groping and battery to non-consensual sexual intercourse. It can even happen between spouses. These laws cover any form of nonconsensual sexual contact occurring between men, women or children.

2. Sexual Assault Defenses

   There are several defenses one can take for sexual assault cases. Some of the most common are:
   
   Innocence: The accused claims that the sexual assault and encounter never took place. This typically involves a *mistaken identity* claim, or an alibi proving you were somewhere else when the assault happened.
   
   Consent: The accused admits that the sexual encounter did take place, but that the other person involved consented to the act or that the accused reasonably believed that the other person consented.
   
   Insanity or Mental Incapacity: The accused claims that they have or had a mental disorder during the time the crime took place and should therefore not be held criminally liable for their actions.
   
   These common defenses are difficult to prove, even with compelling evidence. It is so important to have someone fighting for you who knows how to win sexual assault cases. Garrison Wood is a military defense lawyer that can help you reclaim your rights. We know how to fight against allegations like these, and we know how to win.