Area Defense Counsel stands up for Airmen in time of need

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Everyone makes mistakes.

When Airmen make mistakes, they have someone to stand up for them in the Area Defense Counsel, which is there to ensure that Airmen who run afoul of Air Force regulations have professional legal representation - at no cost.

"We can't solicit Airmen, so they have to come to us if they want our help," said Capt. Timothy Goines, who took over as the 6th Air Mobility Wing's new ADC last month.

Goines is a transplant from the base legal office, where he wore the hat of prosecutor. The transition to advocate and defender can be a bit of an adjustment, but the structure of the ADCs in the Air Force provides the framework for a system that works, said Goines.

The office is completely autonomous from the MacDill leadership, which means it answers to no authority at MacDill, said Goines.

"We don't report to anyone on base, and there is no obligation or influence from anyone on the base," said Goines.

The arrangement means the ADC can do its job without fear or favor, providing a vigorous defense without the worry of reprisals or other factors. While it might seem counterintuitive that someone working for the Air Force would do battle with the Air Force on behalf of Airmen in court, it isn't so hard to understand when one considers that doing just that is the ADC's Air Force assignment - his duty.

Article 15s make up most of the cases the office handles, with about 50 percent of the clients admitting guilt, and the other half having at least some disagreement with the charges against them, said Goines. If an acquittal or the dismissing of charges is not possible, the job of the ADC is to "get the best sentence possible" for the client, said Goines.

Airmen are free to obtain outside counsel at their own expense, though the ADC services are free, said Goines. The ADC is not permitted to make referrals to specific attorneys.

There are lots of rewards that come with working in the ADC office, said Staff Sgt. Carlo Milillo, a defense paralegal there. One is helping people get their lives back on track.

"That's the best part," he said, adding that the downside is seeing the same faces showing up repeatedly.

"We've got some regulars who keep making the same kinds of mistakes," he said. "That can really be frustrating."

For Goines, the hardest thing to get used to is an Airman who doesn't care.

"We have Airmen who come in who don't want to help themselves," said Goines. "We tell them they have to bring 100 percent."

Goines can ask for 100 percent, because that is what he is prepared to bring. Despite that he wears an Air Force uniform, he is prepared at any time to take on the Air Force regulations and those who enforce them.

"My job is to challenge the system sometimes," he said.

The ADC office is open five days a week. Appointments can be made by calling 828-4455.