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.

Related FAQs

What is an Article 32 hearing?
What is the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE)?
What is the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) 608?
What is a post-trial review article in a court-martial?
What is a military lawyer?
What is the UCMJ Article 32?
How is an accused in a court-martial protected from self-incrimination?
What is the role of a Navy JAG lawyer?
What is the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Article 107?
How are witnesses examined in a court-martial?

What are the different types of court-martials?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts