Feature -- Area Defense Counsel is here to help you

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kasey Zickmund
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice may feel there is no one on their side. However, an organization here is available to provide legal counsel and ensure justice is carried out fairly.

The Area Defense Counsel assures confidential, independent and zealous legal representation for clients facing adverse administrative and judicial action. It increases confidence in the military justice system by providing defense services to Air Force members on Kadena Air Base and other bases throughout the Pacific.

The ADC here is comprised of two counselors and a paralegal who function similar to defense lawyers working in the civilian justice system.

"We want Airmen to know that there is always someone here who has their best interests in mind when they get into trouble," said Capt. Clayton O'Connor, Kadena Area Defense Counsel.

The counselors are trained attorneys tasked to defend military members against adverse actions, ranging from a letter of counseling all the way up to an article 15 or court-martial. They only represent Airmen accused of violating the UCMJ or when something seems unfair in the workplace. For personal matters members have to hire a personal attorney.

The ADC is an associate unit operating independently of the 18th Wing. The ADC chain of command flows directly from the Judge Advocate General in Washington D.C. This structure gives them independence that allows them to advocate vigorously on Airmen's behalf without fear of retribution.

"The one thing that we stress most, especially to commanders, is that we are here to make the process fair," said Capt. Maxwell Smart, Kadena Area Defense Counsel. "When the process is fair, service members can have faith in the system knowing that their side is being heard and represented."

When Airmen are involved in legal incidents off-base, the ADC can only advise on what to do from a military view. If Airmen end up in Japanese court, they have to be represented by Japanese lawyer.

"We are not here to judge those who come in for our help," said Staff Sgt. Leonard Smith, Area Defense Counsel paralegal. "We make sure our clients are represented properly so they don't get bad advice, and justice is properly served."