Defense Counsel and Paralegals Mission of TDS
The mission of the Oklahoma Army National Guard Trial Defense Team is to provide specified defense counsel services at no cost for Army personnel, whenever required by law or regulation and authorized by the Judge Advocate General or their designee.
TDS operates within its own distinct chain of command, which is separate from that of local Army installations to ensure that Soldiers receive the best possible representation. Trial defense counsel represent Soldiers in court-martial, administrative actions and separation boards.
Defense counsel also consults with Soldiers who are suspected of offenses and those facing non-judicial punishment or adverse administrative actions.
TDS Mission:
To provide defense legal services to Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers who are:
1) Title 32 –AGR
2) Title 32 – SA
3) Title 32- ADOS
4) MDAY or as authorized by The Judge Advocate General.
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;
Counseling Soldiers regarding pretrial restraint, non-judicial punishment, and various adverse administrative actions taken pursuant to military regulations.
Scope of TDS:
The OKARNG TDS team provides defense counsel services on a level of priority basis dependent upon the nature of the issue. There are there levels of priority :
Priority 1 – General Courts Martial (GCM) representation; Special Courts Martial (SCM) representation; Article 32 matters and pre-trial confinement.
Priority 2 – Article 15, UCMJ or State Military Code equivalent; Summary Courts Martial (SCM); Involuntary Enlisted Separations per AR 125-178; Reduction Boards for misconduct; Officer Eliminations / Resignations and AGR Separations.
Priority 3 – AR 15-6 Investigations; CID investigations; Commander’s Inquiry; IG investigations and Suspect Rights Matters.
***Note:
We do not represent Army National Guard Soldiers who are in a Title 10 status. ARNG who are in a Title 10- status must contact USA TDS for consultation and representation. We also do not represent dual status federal technicians facing adverse actions that occurred in a technician status. We do not represent USAR, Active Component Soldier or service members from other services.
Know Your Rights
When being questioned by your chain of command, CID or Military Police Agents.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
• To be told what criminal act you are suspected or accused of doing.
• To be told you have the right to remain silent.
• To be told any statements (oral or written) can and will be used against you.
The only statement you should make is the following:
"I do not waive my right to silence. I want an attorney. I want to leave"
If they wish to make a search without a Command Search Authorization or Search Warrant, say:
"I do not consent to any searches."