Bethany Payton-O'Brien - San Marcos Military Law Lawyer Reviews & Ratings

My practice focuses on military law, including court-martial representation, court-martial appeals, clemency and parole, NJP/Article 15, administrative boards, criminal law, investigations, ROTC disenrollment hearings, security clearance appeals, and medical qualification boards.  I can represent clients before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, as well as all military review boards and trial courts.. In 2017, I retired from the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), after achieving the rank of Captain. Prior to retirement, I was a Senior Military Judge for the Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary, Southwest District, Western Judicial Circuit, in San Diego, where I adjudicated the full spectrum of over 200 felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, including numerous sexual assault, fraud, property crime and drug cases, as well as officer misconduct.  I presided over all aspects of the court-martial process.  In addition to serving as Trial Judge, I was previously a Senior Appellate Judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, adjudicating over 500 criminal appeals. While in the Navy, I prosecuted and defended military members in over 150 felony and misdemeanor cases, with offenses ranging from larceny to murder.  I also served as Staff Judge Advocate to numerous flag officers over the course of my career.  In 2008, I received the Navy JAG Corps’ certification in the Military Justice Litigation Qualification track.. I received my Master of Laws (LLM) degree in trial advocacy from California Western School of Law and I earned a Certificate in Judicial Development in General Jurisdiction Trial Skills from the National Judicial College.  I earned my B.A. from Wayne State University and my J.D. from DePaul College of Law.. Besides my legal work, I have taught at military law symposiums in India and Mexico, and conducted numerous trainings for Navy personnel on the subjects of litigation and Victim-Witness Advocacy.  I am a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the San Diego County Bar Association. I serve as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts.