A series of pertinent — and impertinent – comments on military justice.

Often, military members close down when a minority accused is seen as “playing the race card.”

 Used with extreme caution, some data might be useful, at least in mitigation.   The 25 January 2015 Sunday edition of  the Washington Post initiated an impressive series contrasting the wealth of black and white families.

Examples:

• Liquid assets:  White citizens:  $180,354;  black citizens,  $1,128

• Home-equity:  White families: $126,064; black families, $31,118.

• Retirement  assets:  Whit citizens, $138,526.  Black citizens, $21, 433.

In the event a client comes from a bad neighborhood or poor upbringing, these facts may be useful, if employed with care.