What are the different types of court-martials?

Court-martials are criminal proceedings in military law, used to prosecute military personnel for various offences. In Mississippi, court-martials are conducted in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which is the main body of federal military law. The UCMJ provides for three types of court-martials: summary, special, and general. A summary court-martial is the most basic form of court-martial available under the UCMJ. This type of court-martial is typically used for minor offenses and is presided over by a single commissioned officer of the rank of Captain or higher. The accused has limited rights in a summary court-martial, and the maximum sentence is one month in prison, forfeiture of a month’s pay, and restriction for up to 90 days. A special court-martial is the intermediate level of court-martial available under the UCMJ. This type of court-martial is presided over by a panel of three commissioned officers of the rank of Captain or higher. The rights of the accused are somewhat broader in a special court-martial, and the maximum sentence is one year in prison, forfeiture of up to two-thirds of a year’s pay, and a bad conduct discharge. The most serious type of court-martial available under the UCMJ is a general court-martial. This type of court-martial is presided over by a panel of officers of at least five members, composed of at least one commanding officer. The accused has the full range of rights in a general court-martial, and the maximum sentence is death, if applicable, or any other punishment the UCMJ allows.

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What are the different types of court-martials?

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