What You Should Know About a Dishonorable Discharge

 Posted on October 17, 2025 in Criminal Defense

As a member of the military, one of the most serious threats you can face is a dishonorable discharge. If you are at risk of losing your military benefits and facing professional disgrace, an Ocean City, MD military criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and help work toward an optimal outcome.

At Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we have extensive experience handling military criminal defense cases, including cases involving serious allegations. Our firm can help you fight charges that could lead to a dishonorable discharge or seek a discharge upgrade on your behalf to restore your reputation. We work with a network of subject matter experts and investigators, so you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to protect you.

Types of Military Discharges

There are different types of military discharges carrying positive and negative connotations. The best kind of discharge is an honorable discharge, which is granted when a servicemember fulfills his or her duty and meets the required standards of conduct. Lower discharges may result in the loss of certain benefits or rights, which is why you should take any allegations of criminal misconduct seriously.

Requesting a discharge upgrade may involve submitting an application to the Discharge Review Board or the Board for Correction of Military Records. Given how complex these requests can be, having a knowledgeable attorney at your side is highly advisable.

When Can a Servicemember Be Dishonorably Discharged?

A servicemember may face a bad conduct discharge or other than honorable discharge for a conviction of a criminal offense. A dishonorable discharge is the most severe kind of discharge, reserved for convictions of serious offenses such as:

• Sexual assault (10 USC 920: Art. 120)

• Murder

• Desertion

• Fraud

• Possession or distribution of child pornography

As soon as you become aware of an investigation against you by military authorities, you should seek out legal counsel. Our civilian attorneys can advise you of what to do during an ongoing investigation, helping to protect you against self-incrimination. We can also represent you in a court-martial, fighting to protect your rights in trial.

The Long-Term Impact of a Dishonorable Discharge

If you are dishonorably discharged, you could be stripped of several benefits and burdened with numerous penalties, including:

• Loss of GI benefits for college

• Loss of veteran disability and medical benefits

• Loss of your right to possess a firearm

Since many dishonorable discharges are associated with serious criminal offenses, you may also face a long prison sentence alongside your discharge. Records of the offense may also be accessible to employers, which can severely restrict your job prospects. Our firm can explore your options to upgrade a discharge based on valid legal grounds, such as procedural errors or the introduction of new evidence in your case.

Contact a Worcester County, MD Military Criminal Defense Attorney

As a former member of the Navy Judge Advocate General Corps, Attorney Dennis Murphy has a keen understanding of military criminal defense. At Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we can help you contest a dishonorable discharge to protect your future.
We represent servicemembers across the country. To schedule a free consultation with our Ocean City, MD military criminal lawyers, call our offices at 410-280-2500.