U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps

Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO) Northwest

Mission

The NLSO Northwest mission is to provide quality legal services and counsel in support of the operational readiness of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard commands and eligible individuals in the NLSO Northwest’s area of responsibility in a prompt, courteous and professional manner. The types of services available from the NLSO Northwest are Defense and Legal Assistance.

Area of Responsibility

NLSO Northwest’s primary geographic area of responsibility covers Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska. Our central office is located at Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton. We also have branch offices at Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Naval Station Everett.

Walk-in Procedure

Varies by location and type of service sought.

• Bremerton Legal Assistance services (non-criminal) are available on a walk-in basis from 0800 – 1100, Wendesday. Power of Attorney and Notary available daily. Call (360) 476-1003 in advance for additional appointments.
• Bremerton Personal Representation services (defense) are provided Monday through Thurday from 0800–1000 and Friday from 0900 – 1000.
• Commands seeking assignment of a Defense Counsel for a member going to Court-Martial or being processed for separation at an administrative board should submit a request for services pursuant to the linked instruction and sample request. Commands seeking the appointment of a Trial Counsel or Recorder should contact the Region Legal Service Office for assistance.

Attorney-Client Relationship with Walk-in Clients

Generally, attorney-client relationships will not be formed with walk-in clients, and the client will be so informed. Normally, an attorney is assigned to represent you only after court-martial charges are preferred against you or you have been formally notified of administrative separation proceedings against you. When a service member speaks to an attorney as a walk-in, those conversations are in confidence, even though that individual attorney has not been assigned to represent you. This enables the defense attorney to give the best possible advice to the service.

Telephone Policy

It is Commander Naval Legal Service Command (CNLSC) policy that no legal advice to a prospective defense client may be given over the telephone or through third parties calling on behalf of the prospective client’s absent exigent circumstances, such as when dealing with clients at remote locations. Service members who are unable to appear at our walk-in hours should call the office for further guidance.

Legal Services Provided

Client Eligibility

Pursuant to Section 1044 of Title 10 of the United States Code, the following persons are eligible to receive military legal assistance:

1. Active duty members of the armed forces, including reservists on active duty 30 days or more;
2. Retired members of the armed forces;
3. Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service on active duty or retired;
4. Reservists following release from active duty under certain mobilization orders (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) for more than 30 days for a period of time twice the length of the period served on active duty under order to active duty;
5. Dependents of members, former members and survivors of a deceased member or former member described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3) and (4);
6. Reservists on active duty 29 days or less and family members in emergency cases;
7. Other reservists may receive pre-mobilization legal assistance related to mobilization readiness needs;
8. Civilian employees of the federal government deploying to a combat zone for at least 30 days may receive pre-deployment legal assistance (family members too);
9. Other Department of Defense (DoD) civilians (who are U.S. citizens and not local hires) while assigned to a foreign country where non-military legal assistance is not reasonably available;
10. A “20/20/20 former un-remarried spouse” as defined in 10 USC 1072;
11. Certain family members who are abuse victims as defined in 10 USC 1408(h) or 10 USC 1059; and
12. Other persons specified in the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAG Manual Sec 0706).

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before evaluating the topics below.

Links

• Washington State Department of Licensing: To change driver’s license and register to vote.
• Self-Help Legal Resource

NLSO Northwest HQ

Mailing Address:

365 S. Barclay St.

Bldg. 433 Code 1307

Bremerton, WA 98314

Phone Numbers:

Comm: (360) 476-2156

DSN: 439-2156

Fax: (360) 476-6316

Hours:

0745 – 1615

Monday – Friday

Directions:

Located on first deck of Bldg. 433 on Naval Base Kitsap. When entering Naval Base Kitsap via the Charleston Gate, turn left at the first intersection; Bldg. 433 will be on your left.

Parking:

Customer parking is available both in the lot outside Bldg. 433 and in the adjacent parking garage. The entrance is on the east side of the building.