Law Offices of David P. Sheldon

10/16/2026

A sentence of life without parole makes the opportunity to present a complete defense especially consequential.

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC has filed a Supreme Court petition in Becker v. United States. The filing challenges the exclusion of messages the defense says were central to its account of a woman’s death.

The petition asks whether that ruling violated a Navy lieutenant’s constitutional right to present a complete defense. The Supreme Court is being asked to review the case.

Learn what the filing argues and why it matters:

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon asks the Supreme Court to review excluded defense evidence in Becker, a Navy case involving life without parole. The Becker petition asks the Supreme Court to review the exclusion of evidence the defense says was central to a Navy court-martial case.

10/13/2026

He served his country for 29 years. When his military retirement pay was interrupted, his family faced financial hardship and more than 17 months of efforts to get the government to act.
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC brought a federal mandamus action seeking overdue and future retirement payments for the retired Navy Chief Petty Officer.
DFAS has now confirmed that his direct deposit information has been updated and his September retired pay was scheduled for deposit on October 1. The retroactive funds owed to him remain under final audit review.
This is meaningful progress for a family that fought to secure the retirement income their father earned.

A Navy veteran’s family sought overdue retirement pay through mandamus litigation. DFAS updated direct deposit; retroactive funds remain under review.

10/12/2026

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC honors Indigenous communities across the United States — and recognizes the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers whose careers are dedicated to serving them.

The Indian Health Service is home to the largest number of USPHS Commissioned Corps officers in the federal government. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, scientists, engineers, behavioral health professionals, and other officers serve alongside Tribal health professionals throughout Indian Country.
For many, this is not a temporary assignment. It is a career of service.

Today, we recognize the communities they serve, the partnerships they build, and the important work they perform every day.
To the officers who serve: thank you.

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC honors Indigenous communities and USPHS Commissioned Corps officers serving through IHS and Tribal health programs.

09/17/2026

When an undercover operation creates the identity, controls the communications and determines when critical information is disclosed, what must the government prove about an accused servicemember’s actual knowledge and intent?

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC has filed an appeal with the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals challenging an Army officer’s conviction on grounds of legal and factual insufficiency and the government’s failure to disprove entrapment beyond a reasonable doubt.

The appeal asks the court to closely examine the evidence surrounding an undercover internet investigation, including when the purported age of the fictitious persona was disclosed, what the officer actually understood, and whether the evidence established predisposition before government involvement.

The appellant asks the court to set aside the findings, dismiss the charge with prejudice and set aside the sentence. Read more
https://www.militarydefense.com/army-court-martial-appeal-entrapment-criminal-intent/

08/27/2026

The consequences of a military disability determination can last for decades. The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC has filed an application with the Army Board for Correction of Military Records on behalf of a former Army medical officer seeking correction of a disability retirement record dating back more than two decades.
The application asks the ABCMR to examine the officer’s complete service and medical history, including years of superior performance, placement on the Temporary Disability Retired List, subsequent permanent retirement and the lasting financial and professional consequences of those decisions.
The former officer seeks correction to a 100% disability rating at the time of medical retirement or, alternatively, retirement under TERA, together with resulting benefits and appropriate relief.
The applicant’s identity is being withheld because of the sensitive medical information involved.

An Army medical officer asks the ABCMR to correct a decades-old disability retirement record, seeking revised benefits and retirement relief. New ABCMR filing seeks correction of an Army medical officer’s disability retirement, rating and resulting military retirement benefits.

07/04/2026

This July 4, America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
It is a time to honor the people who have defended the country in uniform, served it in public life, supported their families and communities, and continued the work of protecting liberty and justice for all.

The Constitution’s promise remains meaningful only when fairness, due process, and accountability are real in people’s lives.
Read our reflection: “250 Years of a Continuing Promise: Liberty, Service, and the Rule of Law.”

On America’s 250th anniversary, the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC reflects on liberty, constitutional accountability, service, and justice for all.

07/02/2026

Can a government press release continue to damage a physician's career after every criminal charge has been dismissed? A newly filed federal lawsuit asks exactly that question. The complain alleges that inaccurate federal records and background reporting systems continued to portray two physicians as national security risks long after their case was dismissed with prejudice.

Two physicians file Privacy Act lawsuit against DOJ, HHS, and DHA alleging inaccurate federal records and press releases continue to damage their careers.

07/01/2026

D.C. Circuit Appeal Challenges Shipboard Military Malpractice Bar

In Luckey v. Hegseth, the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC has filed a D.C. Circuit appeal challenging a Department of Defense rule that excludes shipboard care from the military medical-malpractice claims process.

The appeal asks whether accountability under the Stayskal Act can end simply because medical treatment occurred aboard a ship. It also raises important questions about the fair application of the discovery rule when families rely on official medical records and later obtain evidence that may point to medical negligence.

Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC appeals DoD rule barring military medical-malpractice claims based on shipboard medical care.

06/26/2026

NEW SUPREME COURT FILING
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC have filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking the Supreme Court to review a military promotion case involving Congressional authority and executive power. At issue is whether the Navy may delay a promotion beyond the statutory deadline established by Congress and what remedy exists when that deadline is exceeded.

The case has implications far beyond one officer and may affect how military promotion laws are applied across the armed forces.

The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC seek Supreme Court review in Mitchell v. Cao, a military law case challenging promotion delays under 10 U.S.C. § 624(d)(5). The Petition for Writ of Certiorari filed in Mitchell v. Cao asks whether the government may delay a military officer's promotion bey...

06/24/2026

What happens when doing the right thing puts a military career at risk?
The Senate's proposed expansion of military whistleblower protections recognizes a reality many service members already know: retaliation is often subtle, difficult to prove, and capable of ending a career without a single overt act. Our latest opinion explores why stronger legal protections matter—not just for individual service members, but for the integrity and readiness of the Armed Forces themselves.

The Senate's proposed NDAA whistleblower reforms could reshape legal protections for military service members who report misconduct. Learn what the changes mean, why retaliation remains difficult to prove, and how stronger safeguards could improve accountability.