Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Legal Assistance

Service members can get free legal advice for a variety of needs, particularly in preparing tax returns and in understanding any contract before signing it, from car loans to rental leases.

All service branches designate lawyers to help active-duty members and, if time and resources permit, their families and retirees. Members assigned to installations too small to provide legal services can use those of any nearby installation.

Legal assistance attorneys do not represent clients facing military or civilian criminal charges, or provide assistance to clients on matters relating to private business ventures.

Attorneys are governed by a strict code of professional ethics that obligates them to keep information provided by a client confidential.

Contact: To find the nearest office, see http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php.

Installation legal assistance offices can help service members and their families with a wide variety of legal issues — free of charge. To find office closest to you, go online to http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php.