Area Defense Counsel Moving Published Dec. 8, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Jeff Jackson Area Defense Counsel GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas -- The Goodfellow Area Defense Counsel will be moving on or about Dec. 21 from Building 430, Norma Brown Wing Headquarters to Building 300, Suite C, located across the street from the Event Center. During the transition, there will be telephone and voicemail service available. All calls will be answered as quickly as possible. The ADC consists of an active duty attorney, Capt. Michael O'Mara and defense paralegal Staff Sgt. Jeff Jackson. Unlike the legal professionals at the 17th Training Wing legal office, the ADC does not fall under the 17 TRW or Air Education and Training Command chain of command structure. The ADC was established in 1976 to provide defense services independent from the base legal office. That means that we represent our clients, not the Air Force. In 1983, Maj. Gen. Thomas Bruton, then the judge advocate general of the Air Force, put it this way: "It is not the job of the defense counsel to assist or make it easy for the government to establish or present its case. To the contrary, the independent defense structure pioneered by the Air Force was in part established to enable defense counsel to freely make those many difficult and sometimes challenging decisions without fear of command interference or reprisal." That's who we are, but what do we do? We represent active duty Air Force members in actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, at courts-martial and non-judicial punishment actions. We also represent clients in a variety of other actions, including administrative discharges, referral performance reports and letters of reprimand. Keep in mind that we can assist while the command is still investigating. Remember, under military law, an Air Force member suspected of committing a criminal offense has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with a military lawyer free of charge prior to making any statement. Additionally, any statement that is made, whether oral or written, may be used against the member in a court-martial, Article 15 or other administrative action. The fact that a military member exercises either the right to remain silent or the right to consult with an attorney cannot be held against the member by Air Force authorities. If you find yourself in need of our defense services or have any questions at all, do not hesitate to drop by our new office located at Building 300, Suite C or call 325-654-5070.