What is the difference between the Trial by Court-Martial (TCM) and the Summary Court-Martial (SCM)?

The Trial by Court-Martial (TCM) and the Summary Court-Martial (SCM) are different forms of military law in Washington. A TCM is a more serious criminal matter, and it is used to try more serious offenses like desertion or murder. In a TCM, the accused is tried before a panel of five military officers. The officers are appointed by the commanding officer who initiated the trial. The accused has the right to an attorney, can challenge the evidence and witnesses, and can appeal the verdict. On the other hand, the SCM is a much less formal version of a TCM. It is typically used to try simpler offenses such as minor misconduct or traffic violations. The accused does not have the right to a lawyer in an SCM, and the verdict cannot be appealed. The SCM is presided over by one officer and up to three enlisted members. The officer is appointed by the same commanding officer who initiated the trial. The accused also has fewer rights than in a TCM. They cannot challenge evidence or witnesses, and the decision is not subject to appeal. In both types of court-martial, the accused can receive jail time or be discharged from the military, depending on the severity of their offense. However, the differences in the two processes are clear, and they are taken into consideration when determining how to best administer justice to the accused.

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What is the difference between the Trial by Court-Martial (TCM) and the Summary Court-Martial (SCM)?

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