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.
You or someone you love has been accused of persuading another individual to commit perjury to sway the outcome of a legally authorized military trial. Now, the military’s justice system has set its sights on you, accusing you of violating Article 131a of the UCMJ and committing the offense of subornation of perjury. What began as an attempt to avoid or mitigate charges has now become an act which could substantially increase them. A soldier who is found guilty of subornation of perjury faces a significant maximum sentence, which, when added to the current sentence, could be catastrophic to his or her future.
- Subornation of perjury could easily cost you your military career and force you out of the armed forces with a dishonorable discharge.
- Your military benefits, worth tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime, could be taken from you in an instant.
- You could face a prison sentence which could last up to five years if you are convicted of subornation of perjury.
Have you been accused of subornation of perjury? You could lose your military career, or worse. Contact Bilecki Law Group TODAY to start fighting back.
What Is Article 131a (Perjury, Subornation of) of the UCMJ?
Every article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt a handful of critical assumptions, known as elements, to convict you of a crime. To convict a soldier of subornation of perjury, the following seven elements must be proven:
- That the accused induced and procured a certain person to take an oath or its equivalent and to falsely testify, depose or state upon such oath or its equivalent concerning a certain matter;
- That the oath or its equivalent was administered to said person in a matter in which an oath or its equivalent was required or authorized by law;
- That the oath or its equivalent was administered by a person having authority to do so;
- That upon the oath or its equivalent said person willfully made or subscribed a certain statement;
- That the statement was material;
- That the statement was false;
- That the accused and the said person did not then believe that the statement was true.
Summary of the Elements of Article 131a (Perjury, Subornation of): A service member could be convicted under Article 131a of subornation of perjury if he or she convinced a material witness to provide false testimony under oath to sway the outcome of a legal trial.
Military Defense Attorney for Article 131a of the UCMJ: Fighting Back Against Charges of Subornation of Perjury
Perjury charges are incredibly serious. They impact the court’s ability to make a sound and honest judgment regarding a particular offense. The court, therefore, considers these extreme violations, and the maximum sentence for subornation of perjury makes that very clear. If you or a loved one is accused of subornation of perjury, it is imperative that you hire a military defense law firm with experience fighting back against such charges. Bilecki Law Group specializes in defending military clients from UCMJ offenses. Court-martial attorneys Tim Bilecki and Ben Gold build your defense together and can help you secure the best possible outcome in your case. So why do so many service members choose Bilecki Law Group to represent them in court?
- Experienced military defense attorneys: Tim Bilecki and Ben Gold are U.S. veterans and experienced litigators. They build your defense together, test the government’s strongest arguments and challenge each other’s assumptions. You get another experienced set of eyes on your case before the courtroom fight.
- A highly qualified defense team: Few military defense law firms have the resources it takes to go up against the military’s overwhelming resources and manpower. Bilecki Law Group is one such law firm. If your situation calls for it, we can direct a substantial amount of firepower toward securing a positive outcome in your case.
- Global reach: Bilecki Law Group is based in Tampa, Florida, and represents service members worldwide. Tim and Ben both travel for trials and boards. We start the defense remotely and plan travel around the urgency and demands of your case.
The risks to your military career and your future are very real. And time is running out. Contact Bilecki Law Group and schedule your confidential consultation TODAY.
Experienced Military Defense Lawyers for Article 131a Charges
You have fought honorably for your country. You deserve to have a fighting chance in court. Bilecki Law Group understands what it takes to go up against the military’s conviction machine. We have been fighting for American service members for decades, and have secured positive outcomes for hundreds of military service members of every branch of the armed forces. Feel free to review our past cases. Then call us to schedule your confidential consultation.
Bilecki Law Group will help you fight back against charges under Article 131a: Subornation of Perjury
Maximum Punishments and Sentencing Parameters
For noncapital general and special courts-martial, the sentencing parameter system applies when every offense of conviction occurred on or after 28 December 2023. The military judge must sentence within the applicable confinement range unless specific facts justify a departure. If the judge departs, the record must contain a written statement explaining the factual basis. These ranges do not replace the lawful maximum punishment for the offense or the court-martial’s jurisdictional limits. For offenses assigned sentencing criteria instead of a category, the judge must consider those criteria.
The ranges below are stated in months and are limited where the offense has a lower confinement maximum. A special court-martial can impose no more than its own authorized limit, even when an offense or category allows more. The maximum is not a prediction of the sentence in your case.
| Offense | Maximum confinement | Category or criteria | Confinement range in months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subornation of perjury | 5 years | Category 2 | 1–36 |
Reduction to E-1 applies to enlisted personnel. Dismissal, rather than a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge, is the authorized punitive separation for commissioned officers, including commissioned warrant officers, and cadets and midshipmen. The authorized punishment also depends on the offense date and court-martial forum.
Facing an Allegation?
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Frequently Asked Questions About article 131a: Subornation of Perjury
What Is the Maximum Possible Punishment for Article 131a: Subornation of Perjury?
A service member convicted under Article 131a for charges of subornation of perjury is subject to a maximum sentence which includes:
- Reduction to E-1
- Forfeiture of all pay and allowances
- Confinement for 5 years
- Dishonorable discharge
What Is Subornation of Perjury?
Subornation of perjury is the act of convincing another person to commit perjury to sway the outcome of a legal trial.