The United States Army’s JAG Corps is the oldest law firm in the US, founded in 1775 by General George Washington. It handles legal matters for members of the military, including court-martial proceedings and international law. The JAG Corps follows the Uniform Code of Military Justice and has strict requirements for admission.
The United States Army’s JAG Corps is the statutory branch of the United States Army. JAG is an acronym that stands for Judge Advocate General. The Army JAG Corps is a military law firm that handles all legal matters concerning members of the United States military. It was founded by General George Washington in 1775 after he appointed William Tudor Judge Advocate General, which is the top position in the JAG Corps. It is actually the oldest law firm in the United States.
The primary purpose of Army JAG corps attorneys is to act as legal counsel to the commanding officers to whom they are assigned and to serve in the court-martial process as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Court martial is a term for the criminal legal process through which all matters of military law are enforced. Members of the military are not only subject to military law, but also to federal law, as well as the law of whatever state they are in or located in.
Military lawyers have more specific areas of legal practice. Members of the Army’s JAG Corps also serve in areas of international law, government contracting matters, administrative law, environmental law, rules of engagement, and government grievances. The JAG Corps also employs paralegal specialists who assist Army attorneys in the particular area of military law in which the attorney specializes.
The Army’s JAG Corps, as well as other branches, read from the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for its body of law. The term “uniform” in its title comes from the fact that the laws are not in effect for one branch of the military, such as the United States military, but exist as a system of laws for all branches of the military. The UCMJ was ordained into effect by President Truman in 1950 and has sections that encompass all aspects of military law. The UCMJ has a section of general provisions, pre-trial procedures and punitive articles which discuss specific crimes, such as espionage, murder, desertion or rape, in the military.
The Army JAG Corps has stringent requirements before being admitted into their ranks. The applicant must be in good physical shape, capable of meeting Army physical fitness requirements. He must have a good moral standing, be a graduate of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school, and be approved as an attorney in a Federal Court or the highest court of any state in the United States or the District of Columbia. The attorney must be able to pass the security clearance and citizenship tests, as well as be able to serve 20 years of active service before retiring at age 62.
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