The 412th Test Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides high-quality legal advice and support in the areas of civil law, contract law, labor law, environmental law, claims, and military justice for courts-martial and non-judicial punishment actions. The office also provides legal assistance to individual military members, retirees and family members on personal, non-criminal legal matters.
The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides free legal services and advice to all active duty personnel and their dependents as well as Air Reserve Component members on active duty orders and their dependents. Additionally, retired personnel and their dependents, and dependent survivors may also receive legal assistance to the extent personnel and facilities are available. Legal assistance is provided by licensed attorneys in accordance with AFI 51-304, Legal Assistance, Notary, Preventive Law, and Tax Programs.
The Air Force Legal Assistance Program provides a variety of services to eligible personnel, including notaries, powers of attorney, and wills and estate planning. Additionally, attorneys can provide legal counseling and guidance on personal civil legal matters such as divorce, adoption, landlord-tenant issues, tax questions, etc.
Powers of Attorney: A power of attorney is a legal document that allows another to conduct legal actions on your behalf (such as selling a house) and can be either special (usually connected with a single transaction or event) or general (total power over another's legal affairs). Special powers of attorney drafted to fit individual needs on a one-time basis or for a limited period of time are usually your best choice. The Legal Office is prepared to draft both.
Wills: A will is a written legal declaration of how personal property should be distributed after death. While not required, all Airmen are encouraged to have a will. The Legal Office does not maintain old wills, nor does the Legal Office do updates to wills; rather, if you have changes to be made to your will, a new will be drafted. Before making an appointment for a will, customers should complete a Will Worksheet located on the Air Force Legal Assistance Website. Once a will ticket number is generated, please contact the Legal Office to schedule your appointment time. If you do not have access to a computer or are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact the Legal Office to make arrangements for assistance.
Legal Assistance attorneys cannot represent clients in court, neither can they advise on criminal matters nor personal commercial business enterprises. Additionally, Air Force attorneys cannot advise Airmen who are represented by a civilian attorney on the same subject matter. The Area Defense Counsel is available for eligible personnel assistance with criminal matters or UCMJ related offenses at (661) 277-2809 or DSN 527-2809.
Results of Courts-Martial No instances of Court-Martial related to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault occurred among Airmen stationed at Edwards AFB, California from 1 March 2025 to 30 April 2025. Nonjudicial Punishment No instances of Nonjudicial Punishment related to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault occurred among Airmen stationed at Edwards AFB, California from 1 March 2025 to 30 April 2025. Administrative Action No instances of Administrative Action related to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault occurred among Airmen stationed at Edwards AFB, California from 1 March 2025 to 30 April 2025. Administrative Discharge No instances of Administrative Discharge related to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault occurred among Airmen stationed at Edwards AFB, California from 1 March 2025 to 30 April 2025.
Nature and Results of All Disciplinary Actions Related to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Reporting Period 1 January 2025 – 28 February 2025 Results of Courts-Martial None during this reporting period. Nonjudicial Punishment None during this reporting period. Administrative Action None during this reporting period. Administrative Discharge None during this reporting period.
Nature and Results of All Disciplinary Actions Related to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Reporting Period 1 November 24 – 31 December 24 Results of Courts-Martial None during this reporting period. Nonjudicial Punishment Sexual Harassment, Article 134, UCMJ – A Senior Airman committed sexual harassment by making repeated jokes using indecent language which caused a hostile work environment. The Senior Airman accepted an Article 15 for their misconduct and received punishment of a reduction in rank to E3, forfeitures of $1,340 for two months, and a reprimand. Administrative Action None during this reporting period. Administrative Discharge None during this reporting period.
Nature and Results of All Disciplinary Actions Related to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Reporting Period 1 September 24 – 31 October 24 Results of Courts-Martial None during this reporting period. Nonjudicial Punishment None during this reporting period. Administrative Action Sexual Harassment, Article 134, UCMJ – A Technical Sergeant committed sexual harassment by making repeated sexual comments and sexual advances towards a female Airman which created a hostile working environment. The Technical Sergeant received a reprimand. Administrative Discharge None during this reporting period.
Nature and Results of All Disciplinary Actions Related to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Reporting Period 1 July 24 – 31 August 24 Results of Courts-Martial None during this reporting period. Nonjudicial Punishment None during this reporting period. Administrative Action None during this reporting period. Administrative Discharge None during this reporting period.
Combat readiness is key in the post-9/11 environment. A key to ensure combat readiness is to make sure one's legal affairs are in order. This starts with a visit to the base legal office.
The legal office assists Airmen with routine matters such as claims and notaries, but we are also equipped to deal with more complicated issues such as power of attorney and wills. The legal office advises customers about readiness issues and preventive measures to take care of military and their family members; these include education and advice about the SCRA and USERRA.
When the deployment rotation begins, family members will be left behind.
It's important for military members to have all their affairs in order before they deploy. Otherwise, it's the spouse, kids or other family member left behind who will potentially be affected.
The legal office is ready to assist deployers with issues such as wills, powers of attorney, providing for incapacity, personal finances, etc.
There are good reasons for adults to have wills. A will can assist in ensuring wishes for property division are carried out. This may seem like a difficult thing to do, but you will want to take control, instead of letting the courts decide.
Powers of attorney are a way of permitting others to act on one's behalf.
Whether it is taking a child to the hospital for a medical appointment or allowing a trusted agent access to one's bank account, a power of attorney can alleviate deployment headaches, allowing the warfighter to focus on the task at-hand. A power of attorney can make sure deploying member's children are taken care of when it comes to enrolling in school.
Powers of attorney and notaries are on walk-in basis from 0900-1500 Monday thru Thursday. Will appointments and legal assistance appointments must be scheduled in advance by contacting the legal office.
For more information, Airmen should contact the 412 TW/JA base legal office at 661-277-4310.
With some political campaigns underway, including the re-election campaigns of President Biden and former President Trump, the legal office reminds Edwards Air Force Base civilian employees of the following dos and don’ts under the Hatch Act:
The Hatch Act applies to ALL civilian employees in the executive branch, with VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS. 5 USC 7322(1); 5 CFR 734.101.
The Act prohibits any political activity while:
5 USC 7324 (a); 5 CFR 734.306.
"Political activity" is any activity, including speech and social media activity, directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group. 5 CFR 734.101.
It is also a Hatch Act violation to display in the workplace coffee mugs, buttons, or other paraphernalia with messages supporting or opposing a partisan political candidate, party, or group. 5 CFR 734.306.
The Hatch Act prohibits political bumper stickers on government vehicles. But employees can place bumper stickers on their personal vehicles so long as they do not regularly use them for official government business. 5 CFR 734.306.
Generally, civilian employees must be careful to avoid any political activity when on duty, in the federal workplace, wearing a government uniforms or insignia, using a government vehicle, or invoking official authority. If you have specific questions about whether a particular activity is permitted or prohibited, we recommend you address your questions to your supervisor or chain of command.
Cars Children Divorce Fundraisers Household Goods Housing Name Changes Small Claims California Wills, Trusts, Estates
412 TW/JA has relocated to building 2800. All JA phone numbers remain the same. The front desk number is 661-277-4310.
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Edwards Voting Assistance