What is a court-martial specification?

A court-martial specification is an accusation that outlines the specific charges that an individual in the military may face. It is included in a legal document referred to as a Charge Sheet and is filed by a military prosecutor in the state of Washington. The specification lists all of the alleged offenses, the maximum punishments potentially imposed, and the evidence or witnesses required to prove the violations beyond a reasonable doubt. The court-martial specification is important because it spells out the accusations in detail and informs the accused of their rights. It enables the accused to prepare a defense and to better understand the charges they are facing. In the state of Washington, court-martial specifications also serve the purpose of enabling the military court to determine whether or not an individual has violated any of the Articles of the Code of Military Justice. In Washington, military courts are comprised of a panel of officers that preside over the trial. If the court-martial specifications are found to be true, the accused will face the punishments outlined within the Charge Sheet. If the accused is acquitted, or found not guilty, they are dismissed from all charges and freed from any further proceedings.

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