The Defense Services Division, a separate 

entity from traditional legal offices, provides 

qualified military defense counsel to Coast 

Guard members seeking information about 

their rights or facing disciplinary proceedings 

and adverse personnel actions. 

To reach a defense attorney use the 

DSO Locator: https://www.jag.navy.mil/

(Under Legal Services scroll to: I am 

seeking services for .... Defense Attorney)

 Whether a service member meets or speaks 

with a detailed military defense counsel, a 

detailed appellate defense counsel, or a military 

defense attorney on a walk-in basis, all of these 

conversations are covered by the attorney-client 

privilege, and as such are treated as confidential 

and cannot be disclosed by the defense attorney. 

Not only are those conversations protected by 

the attorney-client privilege, the defense attorney 

is required to provide guidance and advocacy to 

the member that is in the member’s best interest. 

Appellate Defense

 A member convicted at court-martial will 

have their case reviewed by either a judge 

advocate or an appellate court. The type of 

initial review depends on the sentence. Coast 

Guard Defense Services includes appellate 

defense counsel who can assist with appellate 

matters, including parole and clemency petitions 

with the Coast Guard’s Residual Clemency 

Board.

Q. I was found guilty at a court-martial. 

Currently, I am still on active duty, can I 

receive assistance from an appellate counsel?

A. Yes. Defense Services is available to discuss 

specific cases and available services. If you 

have questions regarding appellate assistance 

contact us at hqs-dg-lst-cg-lad-d@uscg.mil.

Q. Can I call Defense Services if I was 

discharged after a court-martial but haven’t 

received my DD-214 form yet?

A. Yes. Please contact us to further discuss your 

specific case at hqs-dg-lst-cg-lad-d@uscg.mil. 

United States 

Coast Guard

Defense Services

CG-LAD-D

1254 Charles Morris Street

Building 58

Washington, DC 20374

Office: 202-685-5288

Email: hqs-dg-lst-cg-lad-d@uscg.mil

Website: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/

LAD/Defense-Counsel/

DSO Locator: https://www.jag.navy.mil/ 

(Under Legal Services scroll to: I am seeking 

services for .... Defense Attorney)

http://

www.jag.navy.mil

/

Defense Service Office (DSO)

 Navy DSOs, staffed by Coast Guard and Navy 

defense counsel, offer a comprehensive assortment 

of services for military members including but not 

limited to formal representation at courts-martial 

and administrative proceedings and advice regarding 

non-judicial punishment and investigations. Coast 

Guard members can visit any Navy DSO for defense 

services. Members may also contact Coast Guard 

Defense Services directly. A complete list of 

available locations can be viewed on the DSO 

Locator website: 

DSO Locator: https://www.jag.navy.mil/ 

(Under Legal Services scroll to: I am seeking 

services for .... Defense Attorney)

Alternatively, CG-LAD-D may be contacted at 

HQS-DG-LST-CG-LAD-D@uscg.mil. 

Confidentiality

DSO Quick Reference List:

DSO NORTH: 

DSONorthDefense1@us.navy.mil

Washington, DC

202-685-5595

Groton, CT

860-694-3211

DSO WEST: 

navylegaldefensesw@navy.mil 

San Diego, CA

619-556-7539

Bremerton, WA

360-476-2157

DSO PACIFIC:

Guam

671-339-6067

Pearl Harbor, HI

808-473-1400

DSO SOUTHEAST: 

DSOSE_PERSREPS@navy.mil

Norfolk, VA

757-341-4469

Jacksonville, FL

904-542-8606

Pensacola, FL

850-452-3730

Mayport, FL

904-804-1564
 Coast Guard members may face disciplinary 

proceedings or adverse personnel actions. To help 

members navigate the complexities of disciplinary 

and administrative systems, members are sometimes 

entitled to have military defense attorneys detailed to 

represent their interests. There are other times, 

typically in the early stages of investigations, when 

members may want to discuss matters with a military 

defense attorney but have not received detailed 

counsel. This type of advocacy is known as "Walkin Advocacy" or Personal Representative 

(PERSREP). Discussions between a member and 

defense attorney in both instances are confidential 

and treated as privileged communication. 

 WALK-IN ADVOCACY (PERSREP): 

Generally, Coast Guard members are able to contact 

a military defense attorney during regular business 

hours to discuss member advocacy issues. This 

contact is typically accomplished by a member 

calling or visiting a Navy DSO. DSO locations and 

related information are provided elsewhere in this 

pamphlet Members should contact the nearest DSO 

for specific information about their Walk-In/

PERSREP process. 

 DETAILED COUNSEL: Coast Guard members 

are entitled to a detailed military defense attorney in 

various instances; including after court-martial 

charges are preferred against a member or upon 

command notification of the intent to convene an 

Administrative Separation Board. If a member elects 

civilian counsel representation at their own expense 

for an administrative proceeding, military counsel 

will also be provided if CG-LAD-D deems there are 

available resources. Inquires of defense attorney 

availability should be directed to CG LAD-D at hqsdg-lst-cg-lad-d@uscg.mil.

A Coast Guard member may contact a defense 

attorney to discuss advocacy issues including but 

not limited to the following matters: 

Investigations

Article 31b Rights (Rights Warning)

Article 138 Complaints of Wrongs 

Line of Duty Determinations 

Restriction/Conditions on Liberty 

Relief for Cause 

Security Revocation

Chief Petty Officer Incompetency Board 

Ineligibility for Reenlistment 

Non-Judicial Punishment 

Administrative Separations

Boards of Inquiry

Summary Court-Martial 

Special Court-Martial 

General Court-Martial 

Post-Trial Matters and Appeals 

Parole and Clemency Matters

For a list and explanation of services provided 

please visit our website: https://www.uscg.mil/

Resources/Legal/LAD/Defense-Counsel/

If you think you may need to speak with an 

attorney it is best to make an appointment as soon 

as possible. 

Q. Why am I directed to go to a Navy office? 

A. The Coast Guard partners with the Navy to 

ensure our members receive the best possible 

advice and counsel. DSO attorneys are fully 

qualified to provide answers to any military 

justice question you may have. There are also 

Coast Guard attorneys assigned to each Navy 

DSO region and the DSOs communicate with 

Defense Services for service specific matters.

Q. Do I need to be formally charged with a 

crime before contacting a defense attorney?

A. NO. If you are concerned that you may need 

to talk to an attorney, then you should contact 

the Navy DSO to schedule an appointment.

Q. Are my communications with a military 

defense attorney confidential? 

A. YES. If you are speaking with a defense 

attorney your communications cannot be 

disclosed without consent. Defense attorney’s 

should discuss the scope of this privilege at the 

start of any initial conversation. 

Q. What rights do I have regarding making 

statements?

A. If you are suspected of misconduct, then any 

attempt to interview you should begin with the 

investigator informing you of the suspected 

specific violation. They will also inform you of 

your right to remain silent and right to speak 

with an attorney prior to making a statement. 

Even if you are not read your rights, you may 

still talk to a defense attorney prior to making a 

statement. It is strongly encouraged you seek 

legal advice with a DSO if you have questions.

Defense Services Services Offered Frequently Asked Questions

DSO Locator: https://www.jag.navy.mil/ 

(Under Legal Services scroll to: I am seeking 

services for .... Defense Attorney)

Alternatively, CG-LAD-D may be contacted at 

HQS-DG-LST-CG-LAD-D@uscg.mil.