Know your rights; when in doubt call ADC Published Oct. 18, 2006 By Capt. Brad Devoe Area Defense Counsel TYNDALL AFB, Fla. -- If your first sergeant calls you into his office and says you are being charged with a crime, you are being accused of a crime by the Office of Special Investigation or Security Forces, or you may have done something illegal and you want advice about what to do next, call the Area Defense Counsel. As the new ADC on the defense team here, I am a licensed attorney who helps military members who are in, or could be in, legal trouble with the military justice system. Together with my team member, a defense paralegal, my duty is to work hard to represent the interests of our clients. We provide legal services to military members who face a variety of situations including courts-martial, Articles 15, administrative discharges, letters of reprimand, admonishment and counseling, unfavorable information files and other adverse actions. I strongly recommend anyone facing court-martial, administrative discharge or non-judicial punishment under Article 15, to contact our office for advice. An Article 15 can have serious career consequences, and no one should consider navigating this process alone. We will advise you of your legal options, and review any written response you make to an Article 15. Commanders and first sergeants can also set up an appointment with the ADC for any military member facing an Article 15. The ADC office is under a separate chain of command to avoid undue influence or the appearance of undue influence. We operate independent of any other agency on base, including the base legal office or any tenant unit. This allows the ADC office to work for the client's interest alone. If we cannot represent a military member on Tyndall AFB, then a defense counsel from another base will be obtained. My team and I are bound by law and our profession to maintain strict confidentiality with our clients. All communication we have with our clients is covered by the attorney-client privilege. Thus, anything Airmen tell us while we are representing them, remains completely private. The ADC office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. The ADC can always be reached through the Command Post for an emergency. All clients should call ahead to set up an appointment, but the office will do its best to meet the immediate needs of walk-in clients. To make an appointment, call 283-2911. It is your right to request an attorney, and ADC services are free. Remember, it is also your right to remain silent if accused of a crime, and immediately contact the ADC for guidance.