How are witnesses examined in a court-martial?

In Virginia, witnesses in a court-martial are subject to examination by both the prosecutor and the defense. During the examination process, the witnesses are expected to answer all questions truthfully and accurately. At the onset of a court-martial, the judge will swear in the witnesses and notify them of their rights. These rights include the right to refuse to answer a certain question based on their Fifth Amendment right. The witness must also state that the answer they provide will be the truth. When testifying during the court-martial, cross-examination is allowed by both the prosecution and defense. This process allows each side to question the witness about their testimony, as well as to present evidence or ask questions about other relevant topics. The defense counsel may also question witnesses about any evidence they have previously presented to the court. The defense may also ask witnesses to provide their opinion about a certain situation or event. At the conclusion of the examination, the court-martial judge may decide to question the witnesses further if they feel it necessary. They can also ask the witnesses to clarify any of their earlier answers. Ultimately, the court-martial judge has the final say in the outcome of any witness examination.

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