Before you make a statement, contact DSO!

If any government agent (that means everyone in uniform including but not limited to anyone in your chain of command, NCIS special agents, civilian police officers in military police departments, and any civilian law enforcement) suspects you of an offense and seeks to question you about that offense, you have an absolute right to remain silent, end the interview, and consult with an attorney.

Clients seeking advice on pending criminal investigations, criminal charges, administrative separation, NJP, or other adverse administrative action may seek legal advice by downloading the intake form and emailing it to their nearest defense service office.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Defense / Personal Representative Services Addendum for more information about defense services. All communications with and advice from our office is strictly confidential and privileged.

If you need assistance with any of these issues, download the Request for Services and contact us.

• Administrative Separations
• Article 31b Rights
• Article 32 Investigations
• Attorney-Client Relationship
• Confinement
• Misconduct Allegations / Investigations
• Complaints of Wrongs
• Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP)/Office Hours
• Post-Trial Matters (Appeals, Clemency)

We are an expeditionary defense service command, providing the highest quality representation to our clients, wherever they are in the Pacific.

Shore based Service members seeking consultation with an attorney can scroll down to the 'Branch Office and Detachment' list located at the bottom of the screen and select the location closest to them. Each office has provided procedures for scheduling an appointment and their standard walk-in hours. During walk-in hours, service members have the opportunity to consult with defense counsel regarding pre- and post-nonjudicial punishment advice, summary court-martial advice, Article 138 and 1150 complaints, administrative separation processing, hardship discharges, and suspect's rights. Although a defense counsel is available for consultation, the attorney and service member will not form an attorney-client relationship except in unusual circumstances.

Service members may seek a remote consultation if restricted, underway, or otherwise unavailable to conduct a walk-in appointment. Service members seeking a remote consultation should scan and email a completed request for services form, a copy of the front and back of their military identification card, and any documents related to the reason for which they are seeking advice (e.g., NJP advisement/results, detachment for cause letter, or administrative separation notice) via encrypted email or DoD Safe (safe.apps.mil). The office will then coordinate a time to call when you can speak privately and confidentially with an attorney.

Commands requesting that an attorney be detailed to an administrative separation board should complete the request for counsel and send it via encrypted e-mail to dsopaccounselrequest@us.navy.mil, including all required enclosures, to the office that services your location. Email addresses for those locations are listed above. Commands will be notified via email as soon as defense counsel is assigned. If there are exigent circumstances that may affect scheduling the board, please let us know of those circumstances when sending the request.