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

A court martial is a formal and official judicial procedure that is used to try members of the military for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This type of trial is conducted in a formal court setting, usually presided over by a judge advocate, and involves witnesses, evidence, and rights to a defense and to appeal the decision. In comparison, a non-judicial punishment (NJP) is a more simplified disciplinary procedure. It is usually conducted by a higher-ranking officer and is much less formal than a court martial. An NJP is a disciplinary action that allows an officer to impose corrective measures such as reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, and restriction to certain places. An NJP usually cannot be appealed, and is not considered a criminal conviction. In Tennessee, NJPs are used in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for minor non-criminal offenses. In summary, a court martial is a formal judicial trial and a non-judicial punishment is a less formal disciplinary procedure. Both are used in the military to deal with UCMJ violations, but have different processes and outcomes.

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

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