What are the different types of court-martials?

Court-martials are military court proceedings used in the United States to prosecute members of the armed forces for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). In New York, the military justice system is regulated by the Convening Authority, which is usually a commander, and the State Code of Military Justice (SCMJ). The three types of court-martials are Summary, Special, and General. A Summary Court-Martial is designed to handle the most minor offenses and typically involves a single officer presiding. The accused is not entitled to a defense counsel and the proceedings are generally much faster than a Special or General Court-Martial. A Special Court-Martial is the equivalent to a civilian misdemeanor and is presided over by a military judge and court members. A defense counsel is appointed and the accused is afforded certain rights, such as the right to face witnesses. A guilty verdict results in punishments that can include confinement, reduction in rank, a fine, or a combination of all three. The most serious court-martial is a General Court-Martial, which is the equivalent of a civilian felony trial and provides all of the same protections, such as the right to a counsel and the right to face witnesses. This court-martial is presided over by a military judge and court members and has the authority to impose both custodial sentences and punitive discharges. No matter what type of court-martial a member of the armed forces is facing, it is important that they understand their rights and the process in order to protect their interests.

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What are the different types of court-martials?

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