What is the role of a military prosecutor?
A military prosecutor, also known as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorney, serves as a representative of the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard in criminal cases involving active-duty or retired military personnel. In Mississippi, JAG attorneys are charged with prosecuting members of the military accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). They are responsible for prosecuting cases before the court-martial, which is the military court system. JAG attorneys are responsible for researching the facts of the case, preparing legal briefs and arguments, presenting evidence, examining witnesses and cross-examining opponents. In addition, they are in charge of understanding and complying with local, state, and federal criminal laws. They must also be familiar with the UCMJ and its application to military cases. JAG attorneys must be well-versed in the relevant military regulations, as well as the rules of evidence and procedure that govern court-martial proceedings. Furthermore, they must possess knowledge of other areas of law, such as administrative law, contract law, and environmental law, as these can come up in the course of their work. In sum, a military prosecutor’s role is to represent the military in criminal proceedings and ensure that justice is served. They must be highly knowledgeable in the UCMJ and their duties will include filing charges, presenting evidence, and cross-examining witnesses.
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