This course was prepared in conjunction with the National Association for Public Defense. By viewing this CLE by I am affirming that today I am neither a prosecutor nor viewing this course with the purpose of aiding the prosecution of any criminally accused. I further affirm that I am dedicated to the ideals of the criminal defense practitioner, and am committed to the causes of effective and zealous defense of those charged with crimes, the protection and assertion of constitutional rights afforded the criminally accused, and the recognition and preservation of human dignity of those charged with crimes. I further affirm that the information provided by this course will not be used by me in any manner which would impugn the above set of ideals.

Veterans undergo an experience far removed from the vast majority of those who sit in judgment of them in the justice system. The military experience, particularly if it involves combat, indelibly shapes the veteran and often has significant causal or mitigation implications relating to criminal offenses. Seeking military records can be difficult and understanding those records in the context of the military culture can be daunting to even the most accomplished practitioner.

This practical CLE presentation will discuss obtaining, reviewing, and understanding military records, as well as offering suggestions in framing veteran mitigation.