Military Sex Crimes Increasing Despite Training – Officials struggle to explain why the problem has grown (Sam Spital)

Commentary by Sex Crime Defense and San Diego Criminal Attorney Sam Spital:

“On January 21, 2013, in the digital edition of the NBC Channel 39 news, an article was published regarding the growing sexual crimes, including sodomy, adultery, pornography and related offenses such as sexual harassment. It was revealed that about 30% of commanders in the military were ousted because of sex crimes and misconduct during the past eight years.

Some top officials believe a policy of zero tolerance equally and more consistently enforced across all ranks within the military service, whether generals or admirals may curb this increased problem. Others believe the ethics training that is given in the military needs to be implemented earlier in everyone’s career.

Whether it is declining ethical values &/or alcohol and drug related issues, these problems are pervasive in the military as we have also seen in various other positions in government, all the way up the ladder to those who have been respected as leaders in the House, the Senate and even former Presidents. Perhaps the situation is no different than what exists in society today, however, we expect those in governing positions to be models for the rest of us who should be able to emulate great qualities and not substantial lapses in judgment. There may be a silver lining in that more misdeeds are being reported and the public is not ignoring such offenses &/or these transgressions, but demanding justice.

The role of the defense lawyer not only serves to refute any or all of the elements of a crime, but most often to establish the redeeming qualities of the offender, if any, as well as remorse and rehabilitation.”

–Sam Spital