Court and Carpenter PC

09/01/2021

What to Expect When Facing Sexual Assault Cases in the Military:

If you are facing a sexual assault case, you most likely have questions; How long do sexual assault cases last? What does a case of this nature mean for my career? What are my rights in sexual assault cases? Where do I even begin?

Warning: This article contains sensitive and possibly triggering content and information.

What to Expect When Facing Sexual Assault Cases in the Military - How long do sexual assault cases last? What does a case of this nature mean for my career?

06/08/2020

Visited Tower Barracks on Grafenwoehr last week. Other than social tracing by fillng out cards at restaurants, and, of course, wearing masks inside a local grocery store, life has basically returned to normal here in Germany.

05/22/2020

A nice recognition.

May 22, 2020 -- Military-only defense lawyer named an

05/19/2020

"Elite Lawyers" has graciously recognized me this week. This award is absolutely attributable to the fine judges and juries I have appeared before over the years. In the former regard, I would like to highlight, in part, COL (ret.) James Pohl, COL (ret.) Stephen Henley, LTC (ret.) Kwasi Hawks, Lt Col (ret.) Steve Leavey, COL (ret.) Steven Wolfe, and, of course, former Tillamook County District Court Judge Rick Roll. Each of these judges was instrumental to me as mentors from the bench. My favorite military panel (jury)? Not a hard one, let's try SGT Mahaffy's panel at JBLM, WA a few short years ago. (i.e., Judge, I think "they" have a question?....") It cost me $900, but I survived, just ask COL (ret.) Lanny Acosta. (smile)

05/10/2020

We had another sexual assault case dropped by a military JAG prosecutor last week. This case was patently destined for a "full acquittal." In fact the PHO opined about this eventuality several months ago. The encouraging fight goes on!

04/20/2020

Defended a court-martial in Kaiserslautern, Germany last week. I wore a mask, plastic gloves and maintained six feet of social-distancing throughout the courtroom. As an aside, today I heard a segment of Berlin will now permit tennis playing. One day at a time my friends, things seem to be getting better!

04/12/2020

UPDATE 12 April 2020: Courts-martial in Germany continue unabated, albeit without the juries ("panels") participation at this juncture.

04/06/2020

Someone recently asked me: “Mr. Carpenter, I would like to become a lawyer, what’s the best college major to take? I told her “life” is the best major. By that I mean, being a good trial lawyer requires an expertise in many areas, Psychology, Philosophy, English and Rhetoric. The common theme amongst them all is the goal of pushing your mind into thinking with a type of “structured creativity.” I also think successful trial lawyers are ultimately interesting storytellers. I enjoy exposing myself to varied sources, try listening to Charles Laughton, and the “discovery of the sky.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlqkG43QFZM

Other intellectually intriguing sources include earthy tellers like Mark Twain, Groucho Marx, Woody Guthrie, and that behemoth Shakespeare. They know how to tell a story. The next generation of trial lawyers, and those who ruminate joining its honored corps, will, in my humble view, need to find their own intellectual honesty during this “pursuit of man by God.” Be safe my friends.

The great actor, art collector and story teller, Charles Laughton talks about art and the Chartres Cathedral.

03/29/2020

We recently submitted a Petition to the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) involving a court-martial out of Hawai'i. The case compellingly demonstrates how truly demanding trial work can be, even for the best of us. I will keep you posted!

02/22/2020

We appeared in a Officer Board of Inquiry (BOI) last week at JBLM, Washington. The government allegations were founded upon fraternization and conduct unbecoming. The related GOMOR was "previously" filed in our client's personnel file. During the hearing our defense team called several witnesses who convincingly emphasized our client's good military character. As a result, the board rejected the conduct unbecoming charge, found fraternization, and justly retained our officer client.

02/06/2020

I had a thrilling visit to SSBN 731 today in Bangor, Washington. I particularly enjoyed briefly hanging out in the Chief's Mess. Another highlight, among so many, was seeing where the Chief of the Watch sits. Words cannot describe how amazing this Boomer is! Roll Tide!