Court-Martial Trial Practice Blog
Lagano, et al, The Air Force SVC Program: The First Five Years, 44(3) The Reporter 31 (2017).
We begin by examining the creation of the SVC program within the Air Force, the expansion of victims’ counsel programs throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), and the growing list of victims’ rights. In the second part of this article, we examine the current state of the law and regulations governing the SVC program, highlighting the role of the SVC, and the responsibilities and obligations of the base legal office and others who interact with victims and SVCs. Additionally, we examine the most recent development in the area of SVC representation–Air Force Guidance Memorandum (AFGM) 2016-01 to AFI 51-504.
The AFGM states the general scope.
Legal assistance establishes an attorney-client relationship and consists of Air Force attorneys providing advice on personal, civil legal affairs to eligible beneficiaries. This advice also includes topics specific to eligible beneficiaries who are victims of crime. Air Force
attorneys do not enter into attorney-client relationships for other legal affairs, the Air Force remains the client. Air Force attorneys, acting in an official capacity, shall not enter into an attorney-client relationship in the following areas[.]