UCMJ Article 106a: Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, Badge, Ribbon, Device, Or Lapel Button
At Bilecki Law Group, We believe every service member has earned their right to an aggressive defense on their day in court. We specialize in taking the fight to the prosecution and winning cases that others said were unwinnable.
Home Court Martial Defense Punitive Articles of the UCMJ UCMJ Article 106a: Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, or Badge
Insignia and other devices are earned through years of service, hard work, and acts of valor.They may be used to identify rank and maintain good order inside and outside of combat. The military’s reliance on these symbols is so essential to its success, that it is considered a criminal offense under Article 106a to wear an unauthorized symbol, badge, or any other device unless that symbol has been earned and made official. If you have been accused under Article 106a of wearing an unauthorized insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel pin, then you may be at risk for substantial losses to your military career, your finances, and even your freedom.
- A bad-conduct discharge threatens everything you have worked so hard to build in the military, such as your rank, your pay, and your benefits.
- A conviction could land a serious blow to your finances. You may lose all pay or have it substantially reduced. You may be forced to pay back your bonuses.
- Simply wearing the wrong lapel button could put you behind bars for a significant length of time.
Wearing the wrong symbol by mistake or otherwise could destroy your military career. Do not take the risk.Contact Bilecki Law Group to start fighting back TODAY.
What Is Article 106a (Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, Badge, Ribbon, Device, or Lapel Button) of the UCMJ?
Every Uniform Code of Military Justice article requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a handful of critical assumptions—known as elements—to convict you of a crime. Article 106a consists of three offenses unique to espionage, some of which are graver than others.
- That the accused wore a certain insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button upon the accused’s uniform or civilian clothing;
- That the accused was not authorized to wear the item;
- That the wearing was wrongful; and
- That, under the circumstances, the conduct of the accused was to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces or was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.
Summary of the Elements of Article 106a (Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, Badge, Ribbon, Device, or Lapel Button): To be convicted of wearing an unauthorized military badge or symbol, a service member must have wrongfully worn a symbol which he was not authorized to wear, either on his uniform or in his civilian clothing.
Military Defense Attorney for Article 106a of the UCMJ: Fighting Back Against Charges of Wearing Unauthorized Military Insignias, Badges, Buttons, etc.
Military devices denote rank and protect the military’s order and structure. They ensure the military’s hierarchy is maintained by adding a visual element to each individual service member. To be found wearing a symbol which was not earned, therefore, leaves a service member at risk of accusations of deceit and even fraud. If the military’s prosecutors are allowed to act with impunity in the courtroom, you may be labeled a conman and a scam artist, leaving you at risk of a maximum sentence or even multiple offenses for separate crimes.
It’s for these and many other reasons that you must hire the most experienced military defense law firm possible to advocate for you in court. You stand to lose a great deal on the outcome of your court-martial. Mitigating that risk and securing the best possible outcome in court should be your first and only concern.
And when it comes to securing positive results, few law firms are as capable as Bilecki Law Group:
- Experienced UCMJ attorneys: Veteran JAG Corp officers Timothy J. Bilecki and Bilecki Law Group have successfully represented hundreds of service members of all ranks and in all branches of America’s military. Their understanding of the military’s justice system is unrivaled, and their results in court are unequaled.
- Expert legal team: Bilecki Law Group employs a highly specialized and experienced investigator and support staff at our offices in Hawaii. We have the resources and the manpower required to give you a fighting chance in court.
- Global reach and fast response times: Bilecki Law Group is strategically in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, in close proximity to military installations in Hawaii, Korea, Okinawa, mainland Japan, Guam and beyond.
A raw deal in court could destroy your military career and set you back years. You deserve better. Contact Bilecki Law Group TODAY to set up a confidential consultation.
Experienced Military Defense Lawyers for Article 106a Charges
Everything from your freedom to your military career will be on the line if you are formally accused and convicted under Article 106a. The risks are simply too great not to hire an experienced military defense attorney to defend you in court. And few law firms can claim the case history and the reputation of Bilecki Law Group.
Bilecki Law Group will help you fight back against charges under Article 106a: Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, Badge, Ribbon, Device, or Lapel Button
Sentencing Guidelines
This Article
Offense Category
Months Confinement
Wrongful wearing of the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Navy Cross; Air Force Cross; Silver Star; Purple Heart: or a valor device on any personal award
0-12
Wearing unauthorized insignia, decoration, badge, ribbon, device, or lapel button (All other cases)
0-12
Facing an Allegation?
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Timothy James Bilecki
Military law attorney
- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- Tampa, FL 33602
Years of Experience
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Frequently Asked Questions About article 106a(Wearing Unauthorized Insignia, Decoration, Badge, Ribbon, Device, or Lapel Button)
A service member who is convicted of wearing an unauthorized insignia under Article 106a of the UCMJ will face a maximum sentence of:
- Reduction to E-1
- Forfeiture of all pay and allowances
- Confinement for up to 6 months
- Bad-conduct discharge
Yes. Bilecki Law Group is located in Hawaii but has clients across the Pacific, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
If you are either accused of a crime or believe you may be a suspect in a crime, contact our law firm TODAY to schedule a confidential consultation.
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- tbilecki@bileckilawgroup.com
- 813-669-3500
- Bilecki Law Group, PLLC, 601 S. Harbour Island BLVD, Suite 109 Tampa, FL 33602