What is a military judge?

A military judge is an individual who presides over court-martial proceedings in the US military. In the state of Virginia, military judges are selected from the ranks of commissioned officers and warrant officers in the US military. This means that they must have achieved at least the rank of Captain or Major in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or Lieutenant Commander or above in the Navy, and they must have specialized legal training. The role of the military judge is to preside over court-martial proceedings, including ensuring that the proceedings are conducted properly and within the bounds of military law. The judge’s primary job is to ensure that justice is served and that all participants in the proceedings are treated with fairness and respect. The judge has the power to order a mistrial if any of the proceedings are found to have been conducted improperly or if the proceedings are found to be in violation of military law. The military judge also has the power to decide the sentence of an individual who has been convicted in a court-martial. This can include imposing a fine, ordering a dishonorable discharge, or even imposing the death penalty in certain cases. In addition to presiding over court-martial proceedings, a military judge can also officiate over non-judicial hearings and pretrial conferences. They may also be called upon to preside over courts of inquiry or appeals hearings, in which the findings of a court-martial can be challenged.

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