Next to hearing that your son or daughter is deploying to a military zone, the most frightening term you may hear as a California military parent is "court-martial." Often a court-martial is related to the commission of a crime by a service member. However, desertion or absence without leave is a common violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can have serious ramifications for your son or daughter.
Like any legal matter, the severity of the consequences often depends on the circumstances of the offense. In other words, your son or daughter's commanding officer will investigate the case before deciding how to proceed. For the protection of your child's rights, you may want to enlist the services of an attorney who is familiar with UCMJ procedures.
