Special Victim Counsel Program
Among the Army’s efforts to combat sexual assault in the ranks, the Special Victim Counsel Program was developed
to strengthen the support of victims of sexual assault and enhance their rights within our military justice
system, while neither causing unreasonable delay nor infringing upon the rights of an accused. The role of
a Special Victim Counsel (SVC) is to zealously represent the client's interests throughout the military
justice process.
SVCs are legal assistance attorneys who have received special training and are designated by The Judge
Advocate General to serve as a SVC. SVCs will provide zealous representation to clients. Constrained only
by ethical limits, SVCs shall represent the best interests of their clients as appropriate even when their
client’s interest do not align with those of the government of the United States. A SVC’s primary duty is
to his/her client and no other person, organization or entity.
SVCs are bound by applicable Army Regulations, the Army Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers, and
the Rules of Practice before Army Courts-Martial. Depending on the circumstances, they may also be
bound by other laws, regulations, and instructions, as well as the ethics rules of their state bars.
Special Victim Counsel will empower victims, fostering victims’ understanding of the military justice
process and aiding each victim with the legal assistance needed to allow full participation in applicable
programs and services and the military justice process. This will be accomplished by providing
effective and timely advice, being available to assist throughout the full spectrum of the military
justice practice from initial investigation to convening authority action, and providing appropriate
advocacy to assure rights afforded are fully realized.
If you have any questions or are in need of a consultation, please contact the 99th Regional Support
Command’s SVC at (609) 562-1310.