What is the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE)?

Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) are a special set of legal rules for determining admissibility of evidence in military courts and other proceedings. These rules are meant to ensure fair and impartial trials and to protect the rights of all parties involved. MRE applies to all cases in the United States Armed Forces. It is similar to the Federal Rules of Evidence, which is a set of rules used in the federal court system. MRE is more comprehensive and includes more details regarding the admissibility of evidence. For example, while the Federal Rules of Evidence allow for the use of hearsay as evidence, MRE has more stringent rules for when hearsay is permitted. In Utah, MRE is used in all courts-martial and board of inquiry proceedings. Courts-martial are military trials where service members are tried for a crime, while a board of inquiry is when the accused service member is investigated by a panel of officers. MRE is also used in other proceedings, such as administrative separation hearings, personnel security clearance hearings, and Local Board of Investigation Inquiries. In each of these proceedings, the rules of evidence must be followed to ensure fairness. MRE is an important part of the legal process for the military in Utah, as it helps ensure that military personnel receive a fair trial. It is important to note that MRE can be updated and revised, so service members should check for updates when involved in any court or inquiry proceedings.

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