Claims Division

• Hours: Mon-Thurs, 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, Fri 0800-1200
• Phone: (301) 677-5326
• The Claims Division processes several types of claims for and against the government
• For a description of the different types of claims, additional information, links, and documents necessary to submit a claim, click here

​The Fort Meade Claims Office has jurisdiction over Tort Claims against US Army/DOD employees when they originate in the following counties:

In Maryland:

In Pennsylvania:

The Fort Meade Claims Office has jurisdiction over Medical Affirmative Claims against US Army/DOD employees when they originate in the following states (all counties):

• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware

Legal Assistance Division

Normal Business Hours: Mon-Fri, 0800-1200 and 1300-1600

Phone: (301) 677-9504 / 9536 

Click here to request an appointment

• The Legal Assistance Division provides direct, confidential civil legal services to individuals authorized in Army Regulation 27-3, including members of the uniformed services of the U.S. and their family members, survivors of members of the uniformed services who would be eligible if the service member were alive, and Reserve Component personnel on active duty for thirty days or more. All clients must show valid Military ID. 
• Limited walk-in services are available for the drafting and notarization of Powers of Attorney (General and Special) and the notarization of documents, although it is strongly recommended that you call ahead and/or make an appointment to reduce waiting time. Preventive law hand-outs are available on a wide range of topics.
• To consult with an attorney, you must make an appointment. Attorney appointments are available for all case types specified by AR 27-3, including estate planning, military administrative matters, family law, real property/landlord-tenant, SCRA issues, and consumer transactions. Appointments may be held either in-person or by telephone and are scheduled up to two weeks in advance (same day service may be available for urgent issues or for immediately deploying service personnel).  Callers leave a detailed message, which will be returned in the order received, or an email web request may be submitted (via link below).
• The Legal Assistance Division no longer operates a tax filing center. If you have received a tax notice from the IRS or a state tax office, depending on the complexity of your tax issue, we may be able to assist, please call us to discuss. Alternative routine filing options and assistance are available from:

Military One Source

VITA Locator Tool from IRS Website or Call 800-906-9887

Low Income Tax Clinic

For additional information, links, and documents, click here

Trial Defense Service (TDS) Field Office

• ·Hours: By appointment only
• Phone: (301) 677-9218
• TDS counsels Soldiers regarding pre-trial restraint, non-judicial punishment (Article 15s), rights advice, and various adverse administrative actions taken pursuant to military regulations. TDS attorneys also represent Soldiers during military criminal investigations, before elimination or grade reduction boards, and in trial by Court-Martial.
• TDS personnel are completely independent of local commands and post legal advisors.
• Instructions:
• For TDS services contact Ms. Belinda McLean at belinda.a.mclean.civ@army.mil  
• If you are being questioned by military law enforcement or command, you may invoke UCMJ, Article 31, which is your right to remain silent, until you speak with an attorney.
• Other Services

AFJAG Home

Marine Corps Defense Services Organization

Defense Services | U.S. Navy JAG Corps

Coast Guard Defense Counsel Program (uscg.mil)

Criminal Law Division (Military Justice)

• Hours: 0900-1700
• Phone: (301) 677-9695
• The Criminal Law Division prosecutes Soldiers in trials by Court-Martial and advises supported commanders on a wide range of administrative and judicial actions.
• This division does not provide services to individual Soldiers or to commands who do not fall under the General Court-Martial Convening Authority of the Fort Meade Garrison Commander.

Criminal Law Division (Magistrate Court)

• Hours: As scheduled
• Anyone who receives a ticket while on Fort Meade must appear before a Magistrate Judge unless he or she chooses to pay the ticket prior to the hearing date. You can pay the collateral amount due either:
• By mail:

US Courts – CVB

PO Box 70939

Charlotte, NC 28272-0939

• By phone: 1-800-827-2952 (extension 0)
• By website: http://www.cvb.uscourts.gov/            
• In some cases, appearance before the judge is mandatory and the dollar amount cannot be paid in lieu of your court appearance.

Procurement and Administrative Law (PAL) Division

• Hours: 0800-1600
• Phone: (301) 677-9174
• The PAL Division advises commanders and staff of supported organizations on a wide variety of legal issues, including contract and fiscal law, labor, employment, and civilian personnel law, ethics and standards of conduct, administrative investigations and proceedings, and environmental and real-estate law.

The services of this branch are available to Garrison directorates and other organizations in accordance with support agreements.