UA/AWOL/Desertion Status
If a service member is absent without leave (AWOL) from the military, then the member probably knows that he or she has left the service illegally, that is, committed an offense against the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). In other words, the member has committed a criminal offense and is in an illegal status. To complicate matters, the service member is probably in the midst of complicating personal, medical, or family circumstances, and this may be why the member went AWOL in the first place. If you are in this situation, you need an experienced military attorney, such as Mr. Karns, to help you resolve the matter. Without an experienced military attorney, you are entrusting the resolution of your case entirely to the same military from which you went AWOL.
Whatever your status, UA (unauthorized absence), AWOL, or Deserter, Mr. Karns can help you resolve your case with the military. If you are given “deserter status” (AWOL for thirty days or more and dropped from your Unit’s rolls), your case is most serious. The military will likely issue a federal “deserter” warrant for you, which is entered into the federal NCIC warrant database. This makes the warrant known to law enforcement nationwide. At this point, you could be arrested as the result of a random, minor traffic stop, arrested leaving or entering the country, or picked up at your home by the local sheriff or constables. Once apprehended, you are placed in the local jail, where you will wait, sometimes in solitary confinement away from other civilian prisoners, with limited or no contact with your family, until the military comes and picks you up.
Mr. Karns can represent you whether or not you are in military custody. If you are still in military control or have recently returned on your own, contact or have your family contact Mr. Karns. If you are still in the civilian world and want to resolve your case prior to being apprehended, you will have to return to military control. It is critical that you hire Mr. Karns prior to returning to military control. When and where you turn yourself in is something you will need to discuss with an experienced military attorney. In addition, you will likely need to have certain records, statements, and other evidence gathered and prepared prior to going back to military control. This evidence may be essential to resolving your case in a manner most favorable to you.
Depending on the circumstances, you may end up being separated administratively, without a conviction, jail time, or a punitive discharge. On the other hand, you may be court-martialed, face significant jail time, and receive a punitive discharge. This type of outcome to your case could follow you for the rest of your civilian life. That is why it is imperative to hire an experienced military attorney such as Mr. Karns. He will be your representative, advocating and negotiating for your side with the military. He will guide you through the process of resolving your AWOL or deserter status with the military.
In most AWOL cases, the service member is looking to get out of the military. But a basic fact regarding AWOL cases is that there is no legal mechanism available for the service member to compel or force the military to separate him or her. Bottom line, this is why you need to hire an experienced military attorney, because even though he cannot force the military to separate you, he can present the best case possible given your particular circumstances that it is in the military’s interest to separate you. In addition, Mr. Karns can fight to have your case handled administratively rather than prosecuted via a court-martial.
Mr. Karns handles many of these cases, takes the time to listen to your concerns, and provides you with a seasoned, realistic evaluation of your case moving forward. If you have been in a situation where you have experienced medical or psychological conditions, abuse from your immediate superiors or other unit personnel (hazing), or other family or hardship issues, Mr. Karns will fight to have your side of the story respected so that your receive the most just result possible.
Past Cases
Client was an Airman in the Navy who, after major surgery and his recovery, continued to use pain killers which resulted in a positive urinalysis for opiates. Pending his positive UA, Client went AWOL for four months and was then picked up by law enforcement. After being returned to Navy control, charges were referred to a special court-martial. Client hired Mr. Karns who contacted Client’s command and persuaded it to administratively discharge Client. Thus, Client avoided a criminal conviction.
Client went AWOL from the Army during his advanced training and was absent for two months. He joined the Army after high school because his best friend had joined the Marine Corps. He knew immediately that he had made a mistake. He wanted to resolve his case but was afraid he would be retained or receive jail time if he returned to the Army. After he hired Mr. Karns, Client was administratively separated from the Army with no jail time or criminal conviction.
Client was a Petty Officer First Class stationed aboard the USS George Washington. After getting “crossways” with his command, Client went AWOL, missed movement, and flew home to the U.S. from Japan. Client wished to leave the Navy without jail time or a punitive discharge and hired Mr. Karns to resolve his case. After Client turned himself into the Navy in Florida, Mr. Karns persuaded Client’s command not to return him to Japan for prosecution, but simply to administratively separate Client from the Navy with no jail time or criminal conviction. Client was separated after nine days with a General Discharge.
Client was a Soldier stationed at Fort Hood who went AWOL and fled the United States to Europe for eight months. Client wanted to resolve his case but was afraid to return to the United States. Client hired Mr. Karns who arranged for Client to surrender himself and be returned to the United States. Attorney Karns persuaded Client's command to decline prosecution of Client who was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
Client deserted from the Army for ten years when he was arrested by civilian authorities. He was sent back to Fort Hood where he tested positive for marijuana. Client hired Mr. Karns to defend him against both charges which had been preferred for a general court-martial. Mr. Karns negotiated the Army down to a summary court-martial (non-criminal) and an administrative separation. Client served twenty days in jail, but avoided a federal criminal conviction on his record.
Client was a corpsman in the Navy and had served for one and a half years before going AWOL from Camp Lejeune by fleeing to Mexico. After four months, Client wanted to return to the U.S. and hired Mr. Karns. Mr. Karns contacted the Navy and coordinated the Client’s return to the U.S. at the border in California without the Client being arrested on his warrant. Client proceeded directly to Navy custody in San Diego, where Mr. Karns negotiated his administrative separation with a General Discharge. Client received no jail time and no criminal conviction.
Client was a PV2 in the Army who went AWOL twice due to a combination of mental health, substance abuse, and other medical issues. Client was apprehended after being AWOL for ten months and returned to his duty station. Client hired Mr. Karns to defend him against the two specifications of AWOL. Mr. Karns persuaded the Army to agree to administratively separate Client, who therefore avoided a criminal conviction and jail time.
Client was a Specialist in the Army who, in connection with the stress caused by his divorce, went AWOL. Client wanted to leave the military, but he was afraid that he would receive jail time and a criminal conviction. Client hired Mr. Karns who persuaded him to return to the Army and persuaded Client’s command to grant him a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
In 2009, Client enlisted in the Army through the Delayed Entry Program and signed the initial paperwork before he was sure he wanted to join. When he decided he wanted to terminate the enlistment process, recruiters told him that since he had already signed his initial paperwork, he had to sign the rest of it, and that if he decided not to show up for basic training, then his paperwork wouldn’t either and he would be “discharged.” In 2011, client was picked up on a warrant for writing a bad check and held for the Army on a deserter warrant hold. Client hired Mr. Karns, who first disposed of his local case so he could return to Army control. Per Client’s instructions, Mr. Karns negotiated with the Army to have Client administratively separated. Client was separated with no jail time and no criminal conviction and returned to his family within two weeks.
Client enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and shipped out to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training. During her training, Client was injured. The Army claimed her injury was due to a pre-existing condition that she did not disclose, and Client could be prosecuted. Client then went AWOL for three months. After Client hired Mr. Karns to represent her, she returned to the Army and was discharged in three days with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL for five months from Fort Leonard Wood after being told that she would be recycled for her basic training. Client hired Mr. Karns because she was wanted to be discharged from the Army in a way that would allow her to provide the best life for her and her daughter. Client received no jail time or conviction and a general discharge.
Client was apprehended after being AWOL from Fort Benning for over one year. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns who arranged for Client’s family to visit him prior to his return to the Army. Client was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a PFC in the Army at Fort Polk who went AWOL for one month. Client wanted to be discharged and hired Mr. Karns to represent him. Mr. Karns negotiated Client’s punishment down to a summary court-martial followed by a general discharge.
After serving for a year and a half, Client went AWOL for seven months from Fort Bliss. While he was AWOL, Client’s unit deployed. Client was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns to represent him. Mr. Karns negotiated Client’s punishment down to an Article 15 and a general discharge.
Client had been AWOL from the Colorado National Guard for over five years and was arrested crossing the border into the United States from Canada. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a SPC in the Army for four years. He went AWOL for five months from Fort Stewart. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL from the Marine Corps for five months. Client was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client discovered she had a warrant for her arrest for being a deserter from the U.S. Army. Client had enlisted in the Army many years ago in Puerto Rico, but had never shipped out to basic training. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL from the Marine Corps for nine months. Client wanted to be discharged from the Marine Corps but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL from the Marine Corps for ten months when he was arrested on civilian cases. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL from Fort hood for seven months. Client returned to Fort Hood on his own, but went AWOL again after two weeks. After being AWOL for another ten months, Client was arrested. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL from Fort Eustis and was arrested two months later. Client was afraid to turn herself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL from the Marine Corps for eight months because he had a positive urinalysis for marijuana. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL from the Marine Corps Reserve for missing three months of drills and a two week annual training. Client wanted to be discharged from the Marine Corps but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL from the Army for eighteen days while his unit was in Afghanistan. Client returned to Fort Bragg to be prosecuted for missing movement and desertion. Client hired Mr. Karns who negotiated his punishment down to an Article 15 and an honorable discharge.
Client went AWOL from the Army for a month and a half due to the ill health of his grandparents. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was arrested after having been AWOL for six months from the U.S. Army Reserve. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client discovered that he had a warrant for his arrest issued by the Army for desertion. He had completed his enlistment process at the local Military Entrance Processing Center over a year earlier, but never shipped out to basic training. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a LCpl in the Marine Corps who, due to family problems, went AWOL from Camp Pendleton for seven months. Client wanted to be discharged from the Marine Corps but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns to represent him. Mr. Karns negotiated with the Marine Corps for a nonjudicial punishment, after which Client was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego for three months. Client wanted to be discharged from the Marine Corps but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a PFC in the Army and went AWOL while on leave from Afghanistan for over two years. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client went AWOL from the Army for one month because his parents could no longer care for his son. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns who negotiated his punishment down to an Article 15 and an general discharge.
Client went AWOL from the Army after several post-deployment medical issues. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a SPC in the Army who went AWOL from Fort Bragg for three and one half months. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns who negotiated Client’s punishment down to a summary court-martial followed by a general discharge.
Client went AWOL from the Army for three months. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a SPC in the Army who missed movement due to a custody battle with an ex-spouse who was trying to take his children. Client hired Mr. Karns who negotiated his punishment down to an Article 15 and Client was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Marine who went AWOL from Camp Pendleton for five months due to family problems. Client wanted to be discharged from the Marine Corps but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was AWOL for eighteen months when he was arrested. Client wanted to be discharged from the Army but was afraid to turn himself in for fear of being prosecuted and receiving a jail sentence. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Soldier was AWOL for 60 days in time of War. Soldier received an Article 15 and Chapter Separation with an Honorable Discharge.
Client was a Private First Class in the USMC before going AWOL for approximately one month. Client wanted out the Marine Corps but was afraid he would get jail time if he returned. Client hired Mr. Karns to represent him. Client was administratively separated and according to his goal received no jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Seaman Recruit in the U.S. Navy before going AWOL for five months. Client wanted to get out of the Navy without having to do any jail time or receive a conviction. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the USMC before going AWOL for eight months. Client wanted to get out of the Marine Corps without having to do any jail time or receive a conviction. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army before going AWOL for ten months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in U.S. Army before going AWOL for two and a half months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the USMC before going AWOL for four months. Client wanted to get out of the USMC but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the Army National Guard who stopped drilling with his unit and was AWOL for approximately one year because of a family tragedy. Client wanted to get out of the Guard but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client enlisted in the U.S. Army but never reported to basic training. After being AWOL for approximately five years, Client was arrested when he crossed the border into the United States. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Seaman Recruit in the U.S. Navy before going AWOL for three months. Client wanted to get out of the Navy but was afraid to return to the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes. Client hired Mr. Karns who arranged for him to return to Naval Station Norfolk instead, where Client was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Specialist in the U.S. Army before going AWOL for one month. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
After four years of prior service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Client enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Specialist but went AWOL after five months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the U.S. Army who lost his brother in a tragic automobile accident four months prior to going AWOL. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Specialist in the U.S. Army before going AWOL for nine months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the U.S. Army who was arrested by local law enforcement after having gone AWOL. Client’s family hired Mr. Karns and Client was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the U.S. Army before going AWOL for two months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Specialist in the U.S. Army before going AWOL for over five and a half years. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the U.S. Army who was arrested by local law enforcement after a traffic stop. Client had a federal deserter’s warrant because he had been AWOL for over two years. Client’s family hired Mr. Karns who persuaded the local Judge to grant Client time served for the citations so that he could be released and returned to the Army where he was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army who went AWOL for two months after being injured in training. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army and single mother of a seven year old boy. Client’s mother had been caring for Client’s son while she completed her training. When her mother could no longer care for her boy, Client went AWOL. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn herself in because she didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the USMC before going AWOL from Camp Lejeune for approximately one month. After Client was arrested by local law enforcement he hired Mr. Karns. Client was returned to the USMC and placed in pretrial confinement pending his prosecution. Client was administratively separated with no further jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Private in the USMC who was being discharged for going AWOL but left again before the process was completed. He remained AWOL for approximately eight years before he was arrested and returned to Marine control. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Private in the U.S. Army who had a positive urinalysis and went AWOL twice. Client hired Mr. Karns and received a General Discharge with no jail time or conviction.
Client was a Private in the Army National Guard who went AWOL from training. Client wanted to get out of the Guard but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Specialist in the U.S. Army who was involuntarily mobilized from the IRR and went AWOL for six months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn herself in because she didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army who was AWOL for almost three years.
Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn himself in because he didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
Client was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army Reserve who was AWOL for almost eight months. Client wanted to get out of the Army but was afraid to turn herself in because she didn’t want to be prosecuted or receive any jail time. Client hired Mr. Karns and was administratively separated with no jail time and no conviction.
