Has Your Command Opened an Investigation?
Court-Martial & Military Defense Attorney in Saratoga Springs, NY
Iseman PLLC represents active-duty service members, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans facing military criminal charges, investigations, career actions, and appeals. The firm works from Saratoga Springs, New York, appears in courts across the Capital Region and upstate New York, and travels to the command wherever a military case is heard.
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A single allegation can trigger several separate proceedings at once. You may face a court-martial, nonjudicial punishment, an administrative separation action, and a security-clearance review, all handled by different authorities, on different timelines, and under different rules.
Our office is in Saratoga Springs, but military defense representation travels to the command. Bring or send us the documents you received, including an investigator’s card, charge sheet, written notice, or reprimand letter. We can help identify what proceedings are open and what deadlines may apply.
Communications with our office are confidential.
Who defends your case
25+ Years
Of combined experience
Recognized by
01What we handle
The Military Matters We Handle
Military allegations can affect more than a criminal charge. We represent clients from the initial investigation through hearings, appeals, discharge matters, and related civilian cases.
Court-Martial Charges
We defend service members accused of:
- Sexual assault and other sex offenses
- Assault and violent offenses
- Drug offenses
- Absence without leave and desertion
- Orders violations and conduct offenses
- Larceny and property offenses
Command and Administrative Actions
We represent clients in:
- Nonjudicial punishment proceedings, including Article 15 matters
- Summary, special, and general courts-martial
- Article 32 preliminary hearings
- Administrative separation boards
- Officer boards of inquiry
- Reprimands and adverse letters
Investigations, Clearances, and Post-Service Matters
We also handle:
- Military criminal investigations
- Security-clearance reviews
- Guard and Reserve matters
- Military appeals
- Discharge-upgrade petitions
- Military-record correction matters
If the same conduct also leads to a civilian criminal case, see our pages on sex crimes defense, assault and violent crimes, drug crimes defense, and federal criminal defense.
02Who defends you
A Former Marine Judge Advocate
Military Experience Before Private Practice
Scott Iseman served as a Marine Judge Advocate before entering private practice. He received the Naval Justice School Award for Trial Advocacy and practiced military justice before building his civilian criminal-defense practice.
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Military defense is a specialized area. Your lawyer should understand criminal law, and also how the military justice system, command structure, and administrative processes work together.
Since entering private practice, Scott has handled approximately 300 criminal matters and tried approximately 35 jury cases to verdict in New York state and federal courts.
“To secure a better plea offer I need leverage. I need evidence establishing a defense, legal issues with the government’s case or substantial evidence in mitigation…”
Scott Iseman
Scott Iseman’s Experience
private practice
for Trial Advocacy
to verdict
handled
Your Legal Team
Michael Blasie, Trial Litigator & Appellate Counsel
Michael Blasie assists with legal research, written motions, briefing, and appeals.
Appeals depend heavily on the record created in earlier proceedings, which is why written advocacy and objections matter from the beginning of a case.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter depends on its facts, evidence, applicable law, and forum.
One Allegation Can Create Several Cases
A criminal allegation can lead to multiple proceedings at the same time. Each proceeding has its own decision-maker, standard of proof, timeline, and possible consequences.
Addressing only the court-martial or criminal charge can leave other career-threatening actions unresolved.
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01 Court-Martial
A court-martial is the military criminal case. The government presents evidence and witnesses, and the case may be tried before a military judge or a panel of members.
In many serious cases, an Article 32 preliminary hearing occurs before trial. Before a general court-martial, that hearing is required unless the accused waives it in writing and the waiver is approved. The hearing officer considers issues such as probable cause and makes recommendations to the convening authority, who decides whether to refer charges to trial. For some offenses, including sexual assault, that referral decision belongs to an independent military prosecutor instead.
Decided by A military judge or panel of members.
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02 Nonjudicial Punishment
Nonjudicial punishment, often called an Article 15 proceeding, allows a commander to address alleged misconduct without a court-martial.
In many situations, a service member may reject nonjudicial punishment and demand trial by court-martial. That choice can have serious consequences and should be made only after discussing the facts, evidence, and risks with counsel.
Decided by The commander.
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03 Administrative Separation Board
An administrative separation proceeding determines whether a service member should remain in the military.
The process is separate from a court-martial, often uses a lower standard of proof, and may move forward even if the criminal case has not ended. A service member can face separation even when an allegation does not result in a criminal conviction.
Decided by An administrative board.
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04 Security-Clearance Review
A clearance review is separate from both the court-martial and administrative process. For service members and veterans whose work depends on a clearance, the consequences can extend beyond military service.
Decided by The appropriate security authority.
We work to address all active proceedings together rather than treating each one as an isolated problem.
Selected results
Selected Criminal Trial Results in New York
Veteran Acquitted After Judge-Alone Trial
A veteran facing a sex-offense charge denied the allegation and wanted to proceed to trial.
The defense investigated the accusation, developed evidence supporting the client’s account, and prepared the client to testify. After a judge-alone trial, the judge found the client not guilty.
Acquitted of Both Firearm Counts
Federal agents brought a sting-operation case involving firearm charges.
The defense argued that the government manufactured the alleged offense and that the client lacked predisposition to commit the crime. The jury returned not-guilty verdicts on both counts.
Charges Dismissed During Trial
A client was accused of burning his own building to collect insurance money.
The client declined plea offers, the defense retained experts, and the case proceeded to trial. Cross-examination exposed weaknesses in the prosecution’s expert evidence, and the charges were dismissed before the case reached the jury.
These are New York state and federal criminal matters, not court-martial results. Iseman PLLC does not publish or claim court-martial results on this page. The firm is retained as civilian defense counsel and works alongside assigned military defense counsel. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each matter depends on its facts, evidence, applicable law, and forum. Client names are withheld.
Client reviews
Google Reviews of Our Saratoga Defense Firm
“Scott Iseman, quite simply, is a man of character.”
“He has a commanding yet calming effect when he enters the room… His intelligence is immediately felt when you communicate with him but at the same time you may feel, as I did, at ease as he explains what’s going on.”
Jim L.Google Review
“Scott really helped me! He was punctual, courteous, professional, responsive, and effective throughout my entire engagement with him and his team. I recommend you consider hiring him to help you!”
LarryLee FiberGoogle Local Guide
Testimonials and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Beyond this page
Practice Areas Related to Military Defense
A military case often reaches into these related practices:
Quick answers
Military Defense FAQs for Service Members
The questions service members and their families ask on the first call.
Can I hire a civilian lawyer if I already have military defense counsel?
Yes. Civilian counsel commonly works alongside the military defense counsel assigned to the case. The roles are not in competition.
A retained civilian lawyer may provide additional time, trial experience, investigation resources, and support for related civilian or administrative matters.
When should I call a lawyer?
Call as early as possible. Important decisions can be made before a hearing or trial begins, including decisions about interviews, written statements, nonjudicial punishment, and administrative actions.
The earlier counsel becomes involved, the more opportunity there may be to protect evidence and influence the record.
What should I bring to the first consultation?
Bring or send whatever you received from the command or investigator, including:
- The investigator’s card
- Charge sheet
- Written notice
- Reprimand or adverse-action letter
- Separation notice
- Security-clearance correspondence
Tell us which command is involved and where it is located.
Do you travel to the command or base?
Yes. Military defense representation travels to the location of the case. Our office is in Saratoga Springs, but we represent clients where the command and proceedings are located.
Do you represent Guard and Reserve members?
Yes. We represent active-duty service members, Guard members, Reservists, and veterans.
Can you help after military service has ended?
Sometimes. We handle discharge-upgrade petitions and certain military-record correction matters. Bring your discharge paperwork and any records you have from the original case.
What if I have a civilian charge and a military case?
The military and civilian proceedings are separate, but statements or evidence in one case may affect the other.
Iseman PLLC handles New York state and federal criminal defense matters, allowing one team to coordinate both sides of the case when appropriate.
Where is your office, and who do you serve?
Our office is in Saratoga Springs, near Saratoga City Court. We serve clients throughout Saratoga County, Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Glens Falls, and the Capital Region. Military representation also travels to the command.
Speak With a Saratoga Court-Martial Lawyer
Bring the charge sheet, written notice, investigator’s card, or other documents exactly as you received them. Tell us which command is involved and where it is located. We will help you identify the proceedings you face and discuss your next steps.
Visit us
Iseman PLLC 59 Franklin StreetSaratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 633‑1528 scott@scottisemanlaw.com Get directions
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Contacting Iseman PLLC does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Iseman PLLC, 59 Franklin Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (518) 633-1528.