Article 15, Article 31 Rights, Courts-Martial, and Administrative Elimination Counseling Hours  

1.  The Fort Carson Trial Defense Service (TDS) Field Office is located at Building 6287, Room 101 (enter through the double doors on the west side of building).  Hours of operation are as follows: 

Monday – Thursday:                                                   0900-1630

Friday:                                               By Appointment or Emergencies Only

2.  Counseling soldiers on a walk-in, no notice basis detracts from TDS’ priority mission, which is to defend soldiers in courts-martial.  Therefore, TDS will conduct Article 15 and Administrative Elimination counseling according to the following schedule:

  a.       Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1300 hours for Chapter Eliminations and 1330 for Article 15 Briefings.

      b.      Article 31 Rights and courts-martial counseling will be conducted at any time during normal duty hours, except during lunch time hours.

Please call the front desk at 526-4563 if a soldier needs to be seen on days that we do not have appointments.  Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

3.  TDS cannot give proper and complete legal advice to soldiers with incomplete packets.  Soldiers must bring the following:

      a.  Courts-Martial (GCM, SPCBD, SCM) counseling:  Soldiers must bring their copy of the courts-martial packet, to include the preferred charge sheet.

      b.      Article 15 Counseling:  Soldiers are required to bring the Article 15 packet (DA Form 2627) and all supporting documentation.

c.       Administrative Elimination Counseling:  Soldiers are required to bring with them the entire original chapter packet with all supporting documents.    

      d.   Article 31 Rights:   Soldiers suspected of offenses should be counseled on their right against self-incrimination.  Article 31 rights /subject advice counseling will be conducted five days a week.

 4.  ESCORTS:  All soldiers should have an escort of a rank higher than the soldier being counseled.  The purpose of the escort is to safe guard the packets and to ensure the proper conduct of the soldier during the counseling period.  Escorts should not drop off their soldiers and leave them without transportation.  All Escorts will be required to sign in the log sheet and keep constant accountability of their soldier.  It is not the responsibility of the Senior Defense Counsel, Trial Defense Counsel or TDS office personnel to maintain watch or accountability of ANY soldier requiring our services.  After the briefing, the escorts will be responsible for the soldier and their packets.

5.  ARRIVE ON TIME:  Soldiers arriving after the briefing has started or without the proper documentation will be told to return to their units and to return on the next scheduled counseling date.  The Senior Defense Counsel or the NCOIC of TDS must approve exceptions to the scheduled time.