Philip D. Cave

I travel the world representing U.S. military personnel and their families in court-martial trials, adverse administrative actions, and security clearance appeals. I am ready, able, and willing to travel to anywhere there is a U.S. military facility for representation. I come prepared with my office-in-a-briefcase. For example, I was the first civilian lawyer to travel to Iraq in October 2003, for trials, and I have been back to Iraq and to Afghanistan seven times since.

• Military Law
• Appeals & Appellate

• Court-Martial trials
• Discharge proceedings
• Security Clearance appeals

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

District of Columbia

Since 2000

Ohio

Since 1979

Virginia

Since 2000

Federal Circuit

Since 2000

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Since 1982

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Since 2001

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia

Since 2000

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1992

Sole Practitioner

The Law Office of Philip D. Cave

2000 - Current

Judge Advocate

U.S. Navy

1980 - 2000

Constable/Cadet

Metropolitan Police, London, England

1965 - 1972

The George Washington University Law School

LL.M. / Criminal Law

1987 - 1988

Joint Forces Staff College - National Defense University

Diploma (1982)

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

J.D. / Law

1976 - 1979

Wright State University

B.A. / Political Science

1973 - 1976

Honors: Summa cum laude

Member

Virginia State Bar

Current

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Current

Member

Federal Bar Association

Current

Member

Virginia Association Criminal Defense Lawyers

Current

Member

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International

Current

Member

Mil. Law Committee, Bar Assoc. of D.C.

2007 - Current

Member

American Legion

2006 - Current

Director

National Institute of Military Justice

2000 - Current

Member

Bar Association of D.C.

2000 - Current

Board of Directors

Judge Advocates Association

1997 - Current

Wrangling Over Khadr's Counsel Shows Discretionary Power of Military Judges

JURIST

How Public of a Trial: US v. Bradley Manning

JURIST Sidebar

2012

Mental State May Play Pivotal Role in Afghan Shooting Trial

JURIST

2012

Court-Martials and the Media, ABA Annual Conference

Continuity and Change in Military Justice, London Conference

National Institute of Military Justice

Military Law Reform: Cox Commission

National Institute of Military Justice

Military Law and Media, Military Editors & Reporters Conference

Sexual Assault in the Military: Fixing a Broken System: Rape and Sexual Assault in the Military

Hastings University Law School

Mental Health Defenses, Military Justice Seminar

The Judge Advocate Generals’ School of the Army

Report and Briefing on Sexual Assault in the Military, Military Sexual Assault Cases US Commission on Civil Rights

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Q. Each member of the Military swear an indivdual oath to "Protect and Defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign

7 April 2015

A: The taking of the oath. From then on you are committed to protect and defend THE CONSTITUTION of the US, not the flag, not the country, not the President, but the founding document upon which the American form of democracy is based upon.

Q. Field grade article 15 for positive UA of THC, doesn't smoke but have been around in-laws that are heavy smokers

5 April 2015

A: The issue of testing positive due to being around those who smoke marijuana has been studied extensively. There is no credible research to support the idea that a person can test positive from being around family members who smoke marijuana. This has been tried and litigated in courts-martial over the years without success. The best approach is to do what we all do with these cases. Review the lab results and tests in great detail, preferably with the help of a forensic toxicologist. They will help you identify possible testing errors. I had one some years ago where the client was a woman, but the sample had male DNA in it - a case of contamination. In others, we have found contamination at the time of collection and storage. Difficult cases to challenge.

Q. Is it legal for signed military doccuments to not be sent up the chain of command?

2 April 2015

A: If you are facing a DD, that means you are pending general court-martial for some serious allegations. Yes, an administrative elimination can be stopped if he intent is to conduct a court-martial or other disciplinary action. If instead of a GD they are now seeking an OTH, then you should speak with the local military defense counsel for advice on contesting at a Board hearing, etc. They can represent you for free.

Q. I am in the army and today during room checks my sergeant through several items of mine onto

2 April 2015

A: You could file a complaint under Article 139, UCMJ, for damage to the property. See here. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/939 The complaint should be addressed to the CO and in writing, explaining in detail what happened and the cost of replacement. If the CO fails to deal with the complaint, you can submit an IG complaint against the CO and the SGT.

Q. What you do when you are being belittle, career threatened, and verbally abused by a Senior Enlisted at your command?

2 April 2015

A: 1. Discuss it with the leadership. Start with the individual, then the first sergeant, then the open door policy to the commander. 2. If that doesn't work you can try an IG complaint, contact your Congressperson.

Q. Finally getting my military records I find documents that have been forged in my name dated before and upon my discharge

2 April 2015

A: If you can prove it with solid evidence, you may be able to get the Board for Correction of Military Records to put them straight. This is important if the current records affect your employment or benefits.

Q. So my husband has been sexting and on facebook with another girl but he has not sent nudes can he still get in trouble?

2 April 2015

A: He needs to stop -- NOW. There are quite a number of cases going on to do with on-line activity such as this. Whether he ultimately gets in trouble or not, it's not healthy for your relationship and his commanders may not look at him as a good Soldier/ so it might affect his career.

Q. I received a general under honorable conditions discharge from the USAF and I had a question about upgrading for

2 April 2015

A: Maybe. One of the things they look at in the upgrade process is whether there have been significant procedural errors showing the process was unfair. So maybe you have a case to prove an inequity. NOTE NOTE NOTE. You have 15 years from date of discharge to apply. This is a hard deadline. If you have substantial procedural error, the quicker you apply the better-don't sleep on your rights. It's tough to do. Without evidence the Boards apply the "presumption of regularity" and assume the gubmint acted properly.

Q. If a soldier owns a business, are they required to report that they own the buisness to their commander?

2 April 2015

A: Each Service has their own regulation regarding "off duty employment." Check your unit admin for the regulation on "moonlighting" or "off duty employment." Generally it can't interfere with military duties. There are also some potential ethics regulation issues about advertizing, using government time, and selling to Soldiers.

Reid v. Covert

U.S. Supreme Court

Carmell v. Texas

U.S. Supreme Court