May 1 celebrated as Law Day

  • Published
  • By Base Legal Office
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Law Day is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law, and underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms all Americans share.

Law Day was established by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law. In 1968, Congress established May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.

In celebration of Law Day, Travis' Base Legal Office provides the following information about the legal community can serve Team Travis.

The stability of American society depends in large part on our country's commitment to the rule of law. The rule of law simply means all members of our society are subject to the same set of laws and these laws are enforced uniformly without regard to one's position in society. Not every dispute needs to be resolved in court, but everyone should know when and how the law can protect their interests and preserve their rights.

Whether one needs an attorney depends largely upon the circumstances and complexities of a particular issue. A good rule of thumb is that a lawyer's help is needed when one encounters major events or changes in one's life to include:

-- being involved in an accident;

-- experiencing a change in family status such as divorce, adoption, or death;

-- being arrested for a crime (see the Area Defense Counsel);

-- experiencing a significant change, for better or worse, in one's financial status.

At Travis' Base Legal Office, the most common reasons people see an attorney for legal advice are for estate planning, including drawing up a will, and for advice regarding divorce or separation.

In the civilian world, an attorney's fee will depend on the complexity of an issue and the amount of time needed to resolve it. If one has limited financial resources, a person may be eligible for reduced-cost or free services from a legal aid program in the area. As military members, the legal office services are provided at no charge.

Although our attorneys cannot represent you in court, relatively few legal issues, including lawsuits, involve a full hearing in court. One's lawyer may be able to provide guidance in the direction to take, or individuals may be able to use an alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as mediation or arbitration to settle a dispute.

Our clientele include active duty and their families, retirees and their families and Reserve and National Guard members on Title 10 status.