What is the difference between a court martial and a summary court-martial?

A court martial is a military trial used by all branches of the United States armed forces to prosecute service members for any violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). It is usually heard by a panel of at least five commissioned officers and decides if a service member is guilty or not guilty of a crime. A summary court-martial is a type of court martial held for minor offenses. In the United States military, it is usually held in the form of a single officer serving as both prosecutor and judge. The summary court-martial is usually intended to punish the accused for minor offenses, rather than to impose a more serious sentence as a result of a court martial. The main difference between the two is the severity of the punishment. With a court martial, the accused can face maximum sentences that include life in prison, dishonorable discharges, and more, depending on the charges. A summary court-martial is much more limited, and the accused can only face less-severe punishments, such as loss of rank and forfeiture of pay. Additionally, in a court martial, the accused is entitled to certain rights, such as the right to a defense attorney, while in a summary court-martial the accused is not granted these rights.

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What is the difference between a court martial and a summary court-martial?

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