What is the difference between a summary court-martial and a general court-martial?

In Utah, military law is governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This code covers the legal proceedings of all branches of the United States military. In military proceedings, there are two types of courts-martial: summary courts-martial and general courts-martial. A summary court-martial is the least serious form of court-martial. It is a proceeding before one commissioned officer and is intended to be summary in nature. Summary courts-martial are limited to non-capital offenses and the maximum punishment is either a reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, or a maximum of one month of confinement in the brig. On the other hand, a general court-martial is the most serious form of court-martial. It is a proceeding before at least one commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, and two other members of the United States military. This type of court-martial has the authority to try all offenses under the UCMJ, including capital offenses, and to impose harsher punishments than a summary court-martial, such as a bad-conduct discharge from the military, a dishonorable discharge, and confinement in a military prison. Thus, a summary court-martial is the least serious form of court-martial while a general court-martial is the most serious form of court-martial. Summary courts-martial can only try non-capital offenses and impose lighter punishments while general courts-martial can try all offenses under the UCMJ and impose harsher punishments.

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What is the difference between a summary court-martial and a general court-martial?

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