Who signs the MOA for defense experts?

• A. Defense Counsel/Deputy Prosecutor
• B. Staff Judge Advocate/Trial Counsel
• C. Defense Counsel/Trial Counsel
• D. Defense Counsel/Commander

Answer: (B)

The ability to authorize and bind the government to agreements for defense experts rests with the command’s legal and trial teams. The Staff Judge Advocate serves as the command’s chief legal advisor and has the authority to sign agreements involving government funds and official actions. The Trial Counsel represents the government at trial and coordinates trial-related matters, including the use and approval of outside experts, ensuring funding, scope, and scheduling align with the case plan and ethical rules. Having both sign the MOA ensures legal sufficiency and prosecutorial oversight, and makes clear the government’s commitments and constraints. Defense counsel would handle the defense-side engagement with the expert, while the Commander is not the usual signatory for this kind of formal contractual document.