Military and Criminal Defense

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

RI Maritime Cadet Gets Suspended Sentence

Although I was not involved in this case, I found it interesting enough to share. If you need help with a Military Criminal Defense matter, or a RI Criminal Charge, contact the Law Office of Calcagni at (401) 351-5100 for more information.

Ex-Mass. Maritime cadet from RI avoids jail for hitting 3 people
FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - A former Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadet accused of being drunk when he struck two fellow cadets and a third person with his car has avoided jail.

Max Yerger of Westerly, R.I., pleaded guilty Thursday to charges including leaving the scene of personal injury accident and operating under the influence of alcohol.

The Cape Cod Times (http://bit.ly/WaWH4I ) reports he was given a six-month jail term suspended for five years of probation.

Prosecutors say the 22-year-old Yerger had four beers and two shots in four hours when he left the Port O' Call pub at about 1 a.m. May 18 and struck two cadets and a 31-year-old woman.

Yerger had a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

He was dismissed from the academy.


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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , and Assault and Battery matters. John L. Calcagni, III is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Florida, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case. If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.

Friday, January 25, 2013

U.S. Soldier at Trial by Court-Martial in Afghanistan Testimonial

In September 2012, Attorney Calcagni represented a soldier in a court-martial in Afghanistan. You may read the case result HERE.

The following is a testimonial from his parent:

"My son, a U.S. Army Sergeant and Infantry Squad Leader, was accused of distributing illegal drugs in a combat zone and referred for prosecution and trial by court-martial.  While he was serving in Afghanistan, my search to find a US-based attorney that specializes in military defense and military law lead me to Attorney John L.  Calcagni III.  I remember my first encounter with Attorney Calcagni like it was yesterday.  It was a weekend, in fact, a Sunday – a time when most attorneys do not return calls.  John isn't like any attorney I've ever met before.  He not only returned my call, but he immediately engaged himself in our case.  He surgically cut through the complicated military system to make contact with my son who was stationed at a remote Forward Operating Base on the Afghanistan / Pakistan Border; tactfully planned an aggressive defense strategy on my son’s behalf; and ultimately traveled to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to represent my son at trial.  At all times, Attorney Calcagni was thorough, thoughtful, competent and very accessible to all of us throughout this stressful process.  Ultimately, without his involvement, our son would have served a long prison term and been discharged from the military with a punitive discharge.  John, with his vast military law background and contacts, was able to see that our son received a fair hearing and sentence that minimized his jail sentence to a matter of weeks and was retained in the military – he did not receive a Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge.  Because of Attorney Calcagni’s efforts, my son will ultimately be able to leave the U.S. Army with, at a minimum, a General Discharge  Under Honorable Conditions, which allows him to retain his Veteran’s Benefits.  Our family remains confident that John is the best avenue and civilian military defense attorney available to navigate the military justice system.  John, we will always be indebted to you! Thank you again."




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The Law Office of John L. Calcagni III offers clients representation in the areas of Criminal Defense, Military Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, OUI Defense in MA , and Assault and Battery matters. John L. Calcagni, III is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Florida, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Please call (401) 351-5100 to arrange for a free consultation about your case. If you cannot make it to one of our offices, we will to come to your home or detention center.