What is an Article 32 hearing?

An Article 32 hearing is a type of military proceeding established by the Uniform Code of Military Justice which is the body of law that governs the U.S. military. This type of hearing is held in the state of California and is aimed at determining whether there is enough evidence to court-martial a service member. During an Article 32 hearing, a military judge will preside over the case and investigate the charges brought against the service member. Witnesses will be called, and the service member may also bring their own witnesses to either give testimony or to provide evidence. In addition, the service member may also make statements about their case in front of the judge, and the judge will then make a recommendation to the commanding officer on whether a court-martial is appropriate. This hearing is the first step towards a court-martial, and any evidence or statements made at this hearing can be used at the court-martial. Ultimately, an Article 32 hearing is designed to provide a fair and impartial investigation into the charges brought against a service member.

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