What is the difference between a court martial and a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

A court martial is a criminal trial conducted within the military justice system. This type of trial is usually presided over by a panel of military officers, and is supervised by a judge advocate. Depending on the severity of the offense, the accused may be tried in a general court martial, for charges that could result in a prison sentence of more than one year, or a special court martial, for less serious offenses punishable by up to one year in prison. The accused has the right to legal representation and may call witnesses to testify on his or her behalf. On the other hand, a non-judicial punishment (NJP), also known as an Article 15, is a less formal type of punishment. This type of punishment is usually reserved for less serious offenses and is usually imposed by a commander or officer designated to do so. In an NJP proceeding, the accused does not have the right to legal counsel. The accused may, however, request a lawyer if they feel that their rights are being violated. The commander or officer may then decide to lower the punishment, depending on the circumstances. Unlike a court martial, an NJP cannot result in a jail sentence, although it may result in the accused being discharged from the military.

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What is the difference between a court martial and a non-judicial punishment (NJP)?

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