MISSION OF THE US ARMY TRIAL DEFENSE SERVICE (TDS)

To provide independent, competent, and ethical defense legal services to Soldiers worldwide, wherever located, as required by law or as authorized by The Judge Advocate General (TJAG). The TDS mission is to provide a full-range of defense legal services to Soldiers serving in numerous commands worldwide. These services include representing Soldiers charged with military criminal offenses at trial, representing Soldiers during criminal investigations and before elimination or grade reduction boards, and counseling Soldiers regarding pretrial restraint, nonjudicial punishment, and various adverse administrative actions taken pursuant to military regulations.

FORT BLISS FIELD OFFICE

The Fort Bliss Field Office attorneys provide consultation and representation to Soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and other military posts within the surrounding region.

LEGAL SERVICES

Priority I Clients

• General court-martial (GCM) representation
• Special court-martial (SPCM) representation
• Article 32, UCMJ, representation
• Counseling of pretrial confinees

Priority II Clients

• Counseling IA W Article 3 l/Miranda/Tempia requirements
• Suspect rights counselings (i.e., if you are suspected of a crime and are under investigation)
• Representation and/or counseling in line-up situations
• Counseling suspects on criminal matters when the exercise of military jurisdiction is possible (even though jurisdiction has not been exercised)
• Counseling with regard to summary courts-martial (SCM)
• Formal Article 15, UCMJ, counseling
• Representation and counseling of officers recommended for elimination under AR 600-8-24
• Representation and counseling of enlisted soldiers recommended for involuntary separation under AR 635-200, paragraphs 5-8, 5-13, 5-14, 5-17, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 18
• Grade reduction boards where proposed reduction is based on misconduct, the client requests an attorney, and an attorney is reasonably available

Limitations

Trial Defense Service counsel may not represent clients before any civilian courts including Magistrate's Court, foreign courts, or grand juries. Military personnel who are charged or indicted by civilian authorities are not normally entitled to TDS representation except for advice or representation for administrative separations under AR 600-8-24 or AR 635-200, or other administrative actions based upon the conviction by a civilian court.

Hours Of Operation

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

• 0830 - Administrative separation (chapter) counseling
• 1230 - Article 15 counseling

Soldiers and escorts must arrive with packets NLT the times listed above. We begin screening packets at that time. Appointments are not required. It is not necessary to arrive earlier than 15 minutes prior to the listed times.

Tuesday, Thursday

• Closed to all but Priority I clients
• Attorney training occurs on Thursday mornings

SUSPECT RIGHTS

I'm under investigation; what do I do? CID wants to talk to me. Help!

Soldiers who have been questioned concerning suspected criminal offenses or who have reason to believe they may face disciplinary action should call or visit the TDS office before making any statement to anyone concerning their case. Suspect Rights clients are accepted on a walk-in basis weekdays 0900 – 1700.

The Fort Bliss Field Office is closed on federal holidays and training holidays.

WHERE WE'RE LOCATED

The USATDS office is located at Building 118, on the corner of Cassidy Road and Pershing Road. Cassidy Gate is closest. Our office phone number is 915.568.5504.