What is the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE)?

The Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) are the rules that govern a court martial, which are the military courts used to prosecute military members for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The MRE are a set of rules that are used in all military jurisdictions, whether on a base, at sea, or in a foreign country. They serve to provide a level of fairness and clarity during court martials. The MRE are based upon the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Rules of Evidence used in civilian courts. However, they are tailored to meet the needs of the military justice system. They also incorporate the values of the military, its mission, and its traditions into how it conducts court martial proceedings. The MRE broadly cover the types of evidence that are admissible, the ability to present witnesses, and the procedures used in a court martial. This includes rules governing competency, contents of testimony, types of evidence, and the rights of witnesses. It also governs the types of defenses that can be used in a court martial and the procedures for invoking them. Additionally, the rules cover how to handle evidence that has been gathered outside of the court martial proceedings. The MRE are just one facet of the military justice system and provide clarity and fairness by ensuring all parties, including the accused, have a fair chance at presenting their case. The MRE, along with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, constitute the legal framework within which all court martials are conducted.

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What is the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE)?

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