What is a military judge?

A military judge is a qualified and licensed attorney who presides over a military court-martial. A military court-martial is the highest level of court in the U.S. military justice system and is most like a civilian criminal court. It is used to prosecute members of the military who have been accused of violating military laws. In California, the jurisdiction of military judges is established by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). According to this, military judges are responsible for conducting courts-martial proceedings, issuing rulings and sentences, and enforcing the decisions of military appellate courts. Military judges are appointed by the President of the United States and must be a commissioned officers in good standing with the U.S. military. They hold the rank of colonel or higher and must be at least 25 years of age. They must also have a minimum of three years of service as a judge advocate general (JAG) and must be licensed to practice law in at least one state. Military judges are tasked with ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected and that proceedings are conducted fairly. This includes ensuring that the prosecution has sufficient evidence and that the accused is given the right to counsel. Military judges also oversee the sentencing phase of court-martial and can issue punishments such as confinement and dismissals.

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What is a military judge?

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