COMDTINST 5801.4E
(d) All other individuals subject to the UCMJ outside the United States.
(3) Records. All Legal Assistance Notaries shall maintain a personal log of notarial acts
including the name of the client, nature of the document and date of notarization and
annotation that the client provided his or her military identification card.
(4) Seals. The Command Director of Legal Assistance shall provide to each Legal Assistance
Notary within their area of responsibility, such seals or stamps as may be necessary in the
performance of their duties. Such seals or stamps shall at a minimum recite the authority
under which the Legal Assistance Notary acts, 10 U.S.C. 1044a.
e. Civil Notaries. Many legal offices have staff members qualified and commissioned as notaries
within their local jurisdictions. The services provided are within the limits of the commission
under the rules and regulations for the jurisdiction. No fees may be charged for these services.
10. EXPANDED LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ELAP). Command Directors of Legal
Assistance may authorize the provision of expanded legal services to those military personnel and
their dependents that cannot reasonably afford legal fees without undue financial hardship. Subject
to state bar requirements and local court rules, expanded legal services may include in-court
representation before federal, state, and local courts and administrative agencies in minor civil and
criminal matters (those not involving possible incarceration), except when the United States of
America is an adverse party. Expanded legal services should be coordinated with local bar
associations. With the approval of the Command Director, legal assistance attorneys may associate
themselves with other attorneys to facilitate representation by civilian counsel from other
jurisdictions. Command Directors of Legal Assistance shall determine eligibility requirements for
determining whether a legal assistance client may receive ELAP services, including representation
in civilian courts. In developing these requirements Command Directors of Legal Assistance may
utilize the guidelines of the Legal Services Corporation found in 45 C.F.R. 1611.1, et seq.
11. PREVENTIVE LAW. Informing and educating Coast Guard members and their dependents
regarding their legal rights, privileges, obligations and responsibilities is an important part of the
Coast Guard legal assistance program. To this end, legal assistance offices are encouraged to have
an active preventive law program and to leverage the use of the Joint Legal Services website.
Legal assistance attorneys serving at training centers should inform cadets and recruits in writing of
their rights and benefits afforded to them under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
a. Preventive Law Objectives.
(1) Improve the overall readiness, efficiency and performance of personnel.
(2) Decrease the number of personal legal problems faced by Coast Guard units.
(3) Encourage persons to anticipate potential legal problems and seek professional counsel
when necessary.
(4) Provide commanding officers and their staffs with a channel of communication for legal
assistance matters.
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