What is a military jury?

A military jury is a special type of jury that is used to decide the guilt or innocence of defendants who are tried in a court-martial (military court). Unlike a regular jury, which is composed of civilians, a military jury is made up of military personnel. The jury members, who are usually officers in the same branch of the armed forces as the defendant, are selected by the court-martial and serve for the duration of the trial. Military juries have between five and thirteen members depending on the type of crime being tried. The purpose of having a military jury is to decide whether the defendant is guilty of having committed the crime they are being charged with. The members of the jury are responsible for listening to the evidence and arguments presented in the court-martial and making a fair and impartial decision based on the facts. The jury is not allowed to consider matters of military discipline or the general reputation of the defendant when making their decision. In California, a court-martial must have a unanimous vote from the members of the jury to make a conviction. However, the decision can be reversed by a majority vote of the court-martial members. Military juries are a vital part of the military justice system and help ensure that the defendants receive a fair trial.

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