Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, White Sands Missile Range Contact: Ms. Bobbie Salas, Office Administrator Office of the Staff Advocate White Sands Missile Range White Sands, NM 88002 E-mail: salasb@wmsr.army.mil Website: www.wsmr.army.mil Activity Summary: The White Sands Missile Range Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, located in New Mexico, sponsored a broad spectrum of activities that celebrated Law Day and our system of law. Our celebration of American jurisprudence included providing legal instruction and lectures to a wide range of audiences, from facilitating a legal game show for elementary school children to addressing legal issues to the White Sands community, to providing college-level instruction. Our office also hosted a golf tournament to facilitate cooperation between the military and the local civilian bar. In an innovative partnering agreement with the White Sands Environmental Directorate, we provided both the legal support and voluntary labor to restore a historic ranch home. Finally, this office hosted a breakfast and luncheon with guest speakers from the judiciary. A local state court magistrate addressed a sold-out audience from the White Sands community on topical issues within his court, and a New Zealand judge provided a comparative law discussion that addressed the differences/similarities between his country’s and America’s systems of law. Activity Narrative: Luncheon with the Honorable Richard Stokely: As a guest to a sold-out luncheon, Judge Stokely expounded on the importance of the rule of law. Special emphasis was given to drinking and driving and the importance of due process. Breakfast with the Honorable Rodrick Joyce: Judge Joyce presented an overview of the differences between New Zealand law and the American system of jurisprudence. Among the topics highlighted included the importance of civil process and of the rule of law. Cable TV “Factoids”: Legal sound-bytes that were placed on the local TV cable station to inform the community of legal rights, rules, and other items of interest. Victim-Witness Liaison. Program Training: The paralegal for the Staff Judge Advocate is the Victim Witness Liaison. We provided training to local agencies responsible for providing victims’ and witnesses’ support services, including military enforcement; criminal investigative; and other military and civilian multidisciplinary agencies. Local School Instruction: We provided training/instruction to local elementary and high schools discussing the Constitution, the American justice system, and our form of government. Teaching was geared to the level of students, be it a group discussion or playing “Constitutional Jeopardy.” Instruction at Local Community College: The Staff Judge Advocate was the guest lecturer for a Criminal Justice course at the Dona Ana Community branch of New Mexico State University. Before a class of approximately 20 students, various aspects of the United Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the distinctions between military and civil law were addressed. Instruction at Local University: An attorney provided instruction on the importance of the rule of military law and a soldier’s rights and obligations to a class at the New Mexico State University. Fraternization Training: Provided instruction to military personnel highlighting issues involving improper relations between sexes, superior-subordinate relations, and their impact on good order and discipline. Historical Restoration Work: Partnered with installation Environmental Directorate to provide the legal basis for restoration work of a historical ranch house located on White Sands Missile Range. Office personnel then followed-up this legal support by performing volunteer manual labor to restore this historic site for future generations. Lawyers can do more than provide the legal foundation for a better future, they can help build it, too. Golf Tournament: In a significant effort we brought together the Staff Judge Advocates and the attorneys of three military installations (from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army), civilians in the local bar, and a state court judge to interact together outside a legal forum. Friendly competition and new partnerships fostered new ways to examine traditional relationships. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization