Do you know your rights?

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jebree M. Hinton
  • Area Defense Counsel
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The Constitution of the United States affords each of us several basic rights laid out in amendments to the Constitution. Some of these rights you have heard of, such as:

  • The right to freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly – the First Amendment;
  • The right to bear arms – the Second Amendment.

Moreover, one of the most important of all of our rights is the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, or the right to not incriminate yourself!

 

Before you make a statement – written or oral – to anyone, including an investigator or someone in your chain of command, think about your rights. With the right to remain silent – our Fifth Amendment right as citizens or our Article 31 right for military members – you cannot be forced to answer questions or make statements, oral or written, that would be self-incriminating.

You also have the right to consult with counsel prior to answering questions or making a statement.

The Area Defense Counsel program was created in 1976. We at the Area Defense Counsel office represent the best interests of the Airman. Each Airman is different and his or her situation is unique.

Our services are completely free. Although we cannot represent you with civilian court proceedings, we are here to help you any way that we can if you are facing military discipline or adverse administrative action. Our mission is to protect your individual rights and ensure independent and zealous representation. This includes courts martial, administrative discharges, investigations, Articles 15, letters of reprimand, etc.

Most importantly, our office is completely independent of the Edwards AFB chain of command.  This allows us the independence to best represent you. We report directly to the Air Force Legal Operations Agency.

So again, remember both your Constitutional and Article 31, UCMJ, rights to remain silent.

Never hesitate to invoke your rights and know that the Area Defense Counsel is here to protect your rights.

For more information, call 277-2809 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.