The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate for the 25th Infantry Division and Installation Legal Office for U.S. Army Hawaii provides a full range of legal services.
The judge advocates advise commanders on military justice, administrative and operational law matters; they advise and represent trial defense clients; and provide legal assistance to service members, retirees and their families across Hawaii.
Mission
Provide principled, quick, professional counsel and legal services in support of the 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Hawaii.
Vision
Remain a highly trained and values-based team of dedicated legal professionals who excel in our mission to extend the positive influence of standards and deliver maximum impact through legal services.
Eligibility
Per AR 27-3, paragraph 2-4, the following people are eligible for legal assistance services:
1. Regular component members of the Armed Forces, officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) Regular Corps, and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) commissioned officer corps.
2. Retired members of the Armed Forces, PHS, and NOAA who are entitled to or are receiving military retirement pay, to include individuals on the temporary disability retired list (TDRL). Retired RC members are not eligible to receive legal assistance until they begin receiving retired pay.
3. RC members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are serving on active duty or full-time National Guard duty pursuant to orders for more than 29 days (a copy of orders must be provided).
4. Dependents of eligible persons listed above.
5. Department of Defense civilian employees are only eligible for assistance on deployment matters to a combat zone or on a contingency operation and responses to Financial Liability Investigations of Property Loss.
6. The only individuals eligible for services without a military ID are:
a. Next of kin of service members who died in an active status are eligible for probate assistance.
b. Parents or guardians acting on behalf of a minor (the minor must have an ID card).
c. Holders of a special power of attorney for a legal assistance service from a deployed service member acting on his or her behalf.
d. Department of Defense contractors are not eligible for legal assistance services in Hawaii.
Note: Individuals presenting a military identification (ID) card indicating that the individual is a 100 percent disabled veteran are not eligible for legal assistance.
For a full list of eligible clients, please see AR 27-3, paragraph 2-4.
Services
All legal assistance services are provided at no cost to the individual. If you have questions about any of our services please feel free to give us a call at (808) 655-8607.
Our attorneys provide legal guidance in the following areas:
- Notary Services and Powers of Attorney: Notary services and powers of attorney are provided on a walk-in basis during all hours of operation. No appointments are needed. Please be advised that when requesting documents to be notarized you must sign the documents in front of the notary. We cannot notarize documents that have already been signed.
- Family Law: We provide legal advice on marriage, annulment, separation, divorce, financial non-support, child custody and visitation, and paternity. We can also provide guidance on consent adoptions in the State of Hawaii.
- Estates: Our office can draft a will, healthcare power of attorney, or living will to fit your needs. The estate planning process is a complicated process and requires multiple appointments with the client to ensure accuracy and that it meets the client’s needs. We do not draft living trusts (also known as inter vivos trusts).
- Real Property: If you are a tenant on a lease we can assist with interpreting your lease provisions, asserting your rights under the Service members Civil Relief Act and the Hawaii Landlord/Tenant Code, and ensuring that the lease complies with the law.
- Economic Assistance: If you have questions on lending agreements, garnishment orders, involuntary allotment applications, banking, credit cards, consumer issues, and non-government claims we can help. This includes advising on common car sales issues such as point of sale contracts and lemon law issues.
- Civilian Administrative Matters: We can provide assistance with name changes and immigration/naturalization based on available expertise and resources. Call to see if we can assist.
- Military Administrative Matters: If you are facing military administrative action we can help. These include line of duty investigations, FLIPL rebuttals, referred evaluation reports, relief for cause reviews, memorandum of reprimand rebuttals, Article 138 complaints, IG investigations, 15-6 investigations, hardship discharges, compassionate reassignments, unqualified resignations due to pregnancy, and correction of military records.
Please note: We do not provide services relating to military justice proceedings, criminal law, employment law, in-court representation, or private business activities. Legal assistance cannot be provided over the phone because we are unable to verify eligibility of services.
Claims
The claims office handles tort claims, affirmative claims, and assistance with Article 139 claims. Tort claims involve personal injury or property damage caused by the negligence of government employees. Common tort claims are motor vehicle accidents and personal injury claims. To file a tort claim with our office, please submit an SF-95 along with any accompanying evidence that you have to support your claim (see forms below). Tort claims personnel can be reached via email at usarhawtortclaims@army.mil.
If government property is damaged by a third party, the government may pursue an affirmative claim against the person to recoup the cost to repair or replace the damaged property.
Article 139 claims are claims which may be filed by either a military member, civilian, business, or non-profit organization against a service member who wrongfully or willfully damages or deprives someone of their property in violation of the UCMJ. Such claims must be filed within 90 days of the occurrence and filed with the Soldier’s commander. These claims are not filed with our office. An investigation will take place by the Soldier’s unit to determine liability.
Claims Forms
Unusual Occurrence Event Claims
The Personnel Claims Act is not a substitute for insurance. Quarters losses, losses of clothing and other items worn, and most vehicle losses are compensable only if caused by "fire, flood, hurricane, or other unusual occurrence, or by theft or vandalism."
For more information, visit https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/Apps/PCLAIMS/PCLAIMSPublic.nsf/xpPersonnel_Claim.xsp.
For assistance, they can be reached at (502) 626-3000 or usarmy.knox.hqda-otjag.mbx.cpcs@army.mil. They are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Eastern time. Please keep the time difference in mind when trying to reach them by phone.
Household Goods, POV Shipment, and Personnel Claims
Claims related to the shipment of household goods, POVs, or personnel claims incident to service must be filed online via https://move.mil through Fort Knox, Kentucky. For assistance, they can be reached at (502) 626-3000 or usarmy.knox.hqda-otjag.mbx.cpcs@army.mil. They are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Eastern time. Please keep the time difference in mind when trying to reach them by phone.
Special Victims' Counsel
Special Victims’ Counsel attorneys provide legal representation to qualifying victims of sexual assault. An SVC’s primary duty is to zealously represent the best interests of clients, even if these interests do not align with the interests of the government.
Special Victims’ Counsel Brochure
SVCs ensure that their clients know that, regardless of the outcome of the judicial or administrative process, the military justice and administrative system supports them and gives them the opportunity to be heard. It is vital that the military justice process proceed in a fair and just manner, protecting both the rights of the victim and the constitutional rights of the accused.
The SVC Program is an invaluable part of the military justice system. The driving force behind the program’s success is the SVC’s ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of caring professionals to meet their client’s needs. Every effort is made to establish and maintain effective, complementary, and professional working relationships with stakeholders. Special Victims’ Counsels use these relationships to swiftly address allegations of retaliation against their clients, whether professional or social.
If you or someone you know needs to speak with an SVC please contact either CPT Ikrom Omonov at (703) 347-3857, CPT Marlyss Maxham at (202) 336-3758, or CPT Kim Bowman at (202) 834-4396. The entire SVC section can be reached via email at usarmyhawaiisvc@army.mil. The SVC office is located in the SHARP Fusion Director, 3585 McCornack Rd, Building 692 Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: We are located at 278 Aleshire Ave., Building 2037 on Schofield Barracks. This is the only active duty Army Legal Assistance Office in Hawaii.
Our phone number is (808) 655-8607.
A:
Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday: 1-4:30 p.m.
1st Wed. of the Month: 1-4:30 p.m.
Closed on all federal holidays and USARHAW DONSAs. These hours are subject to modification, and updates will be posted to our website and social media page.
A: Yes, you can visit us online at https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php/my-fort/services/legal (this website) and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LegalAssistanceHawaii. Preventative law information and updates to service hours will be posted to these sites.
A: The following groups of individuals are eligible to receive legal assistance from our office:
- Regular component members of the Armed Forces, officers of the Public Health Services Regular Corps, and members of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officer corps.
- Retired members of those groups who are entitled to or are receiving military retirement pay (including individuals on the temporary disability retired list.
- Retired reserve component members are not eligible to receive legal assistance until they begin receiving retired pay.
- Reserve component members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty or FTNG duty for more than 29 consecutive days are eligible for services.
- Dependents of Active duty, retirees, and RC members on orders for more than 29 days are also entitled to services.
- RC Service members on orders for 29 days or less may be eligible for services depending on available resources. IDT (drilling) status only SMs should first contact their servicing reserve component judge advocates for legal assistance services.
- DoD civilians who are notified of a financial liability recommendation under Army Regulation 735-5, Property Accountability Policies, are eligible for assistance in rebutting the financial liability recommendation.
- DoD civilians who are deploying to a combat zone or on a contingency operation, and their family members while the employee is deployed, are eligible for assistance related to the deployment.
- Contractors are not entitled to assistance at this location.
For a full list of persons entitled to legal assistance services please refer to Army Regulation 27-3, The Army Legal Assistance Program, paragraph 2-4.
Our office provides notaries and powers of attorney on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed for these services.
Our attorneys provide legal counseling on the following areas of law:
- Family Law
- Estate Planning
- Real Property
- Consumer Transactions
- Military Administrative
- Special Education (particularly in preparation for mediation or dispute resolution)
- Immigration matters
For a full list of services provided, please see Army Regulation 27-3, The Army Legal Assistance Program, paragraphs 3-5 and 3-6.
A: Sure…
First, our attorneys are not authorized to represent you in court or attend hearings on your behalf. They are also not authorized to complete your forms for you. They are able to answer your questions about court and hearing procedures as well as specific questions you may have about completing any forms you have to fill out.
Family law includes counseling on marriage, divorce, annulment, separation, financial non-support, child custody and visitation, paternity, and adequacy of a family care plan. We are also authorized to assist victims of domestic violence in partnership with our Special Victims’ Counsel.
Estate planning services include drafting a will, testamentary trust, durable powers of attorney, advance medical directives and living wills, healthcare powers of attorney, and providing information about SGLI benefits and alternatives to wills. We do not draft living trusts or complex testamentary instruments.
Real property services cover landlord/tenant issues, such as exercising your rights under the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Tenant Bill of Rights for Privatized Military Housing. Assistance is also provided on matters involving your principal residence.
Assistance is also provided on consumer transactions, such as purchasing personal property, credit and consumer protection matters, debt collection, and reviewing consumer contracts.
Our attorneys also assist Soldiers with military administrative matters. These include assisting with responses to administrative letters of reprimand, line of duty investigations, financial liability investigations, adverse evaluation reports, relief for cause reviews, Article 138 complaints, IG activities and procedures, certain enlisted administrative separation actions, and correction of military records. Some military administrative actions are processed through the Trial Defense Services office. For Hawaii, TDS is located at Building 683, 1252 Wright Ave. on Wheeler Army Airfield. Their phone number is (808) 656-1190 and can be found online at www.facebook.com/tdspacrim.
Congress recently authorized legal assistance attorneys to assist in the area of special education law. Primarily, our attorneys will assist you in preparing for the mediation or dispute resolution process. We cannot attend the hearings on your behalf.
Service members and their immediate family members are eligible for special processes in immigration matters. Our attorneys can assist you in reviewing your paperwork and talking you through the process.
A: Yes, the following are additional limitations on our services:
The legal assistance office can only provide limited assistance in the following areas:
- Civilian criminal matters – we are authorized to only provide information on possible punishments and court procedures;
- Employment law – primarily for reserve component members, we can only provide information on how to exercise your rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Any additional assistance may jeopardize other rights you may have under USERRA;
- Torts (Personal Injury or property damage) – If you might be liable for personal injury or damage to another person’s property, our attorneys may only assist you in how to exercise your rights under the SCRA to request a stay in proceedings if you will be unavailable for a court hearing due to military mission requirements.
Our office is NOT authorized to assist with any matters about requesting an exemption to any vaccine or appealing any exemption denials. If, however, a Soldier receives a letter of reprimand for a vaccine refusal, our attorneys may assist with the rebuttal process.
We also cannot assist both parties of a dispute. For example, we cannot represent both parties in a divorce. The conflicted party will be referred to another legal assistance office for assistance (see below).
Finally, we are prohibited from advising on standards of conduct issues or if you are the accused in any matter arising out of a sex-related offense or domestic violence offense.
Please contact our office and we will work with you to determine your eligibility for services and whether your legal matters fall into our scope of services.
A: Although we are the only active Army legal assistance office in Hawaii, other branches also have offices in Hawaii:
Air Force and Navy
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
850 Willamette St, 2nd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96818
(808) 473-0437
Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base Hawaii - Kaneohe
Building 215
(808) 257-6738
Coast Guard
Prince Kuhio Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd.
(808) 535-3240
A: Special Victims’ Counsel, or SVCs, are legal assistance attorneys who received specialized training in representing victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, including representing child victims. SVCs zealously represent and advocate for their clients throughout the military justice process, even when a clients’ interests do not align with those of the command. An SVC’s primary duty is to his or her client and the attorney-client relationship is protected by the attorney/client privilege.
To receive SVC representation, you must be an eligible client and there must be a qualifying offense:
Eligible clients are those who are also eligible for legal assistance, including
• Active Duty members and retirees and their dependents
• RC members and retirees, and their dependents, and DoD civilians may qualify.
• Civilian personnel with no ties to the military do not qualify for SVC services.
The perpetrator of a qualifying offense must be subject to military jurisdiction.
Qualifying offenses include:
• Restricted or unrestricted reports of Sexual assault, including rape, forcible sodomy, unwanted sexual contact, and other sex-related crimes; and
• Domestic violence.
If you are eligible for services and would like to request SVC representation please contact a Victim Advocate (24/7 Hotline: (808) 624-7233), Brigade SARC, or the Family Advocacy Program at ACS at (808) 787-4227. Additional resources are the SHARP 24/7 hotline at 833-SARC808.
The SVCs, along with numerous other SHARP resources, are located in the new SHARP Fusion Center on Schofield Barracks. The SHARP Fusion Center (sometimes referred to as the SHARP Resource Center), is located at 3585 McCornack Rd, Bldg. 692 on Schofield Barracks. Their phone number for general information is (808) 787-0394. See also www.facebook.com/USARHAWSHARP and https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php/25thID/resources/sharp.
A: You may walk and request an appointment at our customer service counter, or visit us online at https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php/my-fort/services/legal and download our appointment request packet. Follow the instructions in the packet and someone will be in touch with you. Please note that requesting an appointment is not a guarantee that our office will be able to assist you, and an appointment request is not confirmed until someone from our office reviews your paperwork and verifies an appointment with you.