Military Justice Overview
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is a federal law and the basis of our military justice system. It outlines what conduct is criminal, establishes the various types of courts, and sets forth the procedures to be followed in the administration of military justice.
Commanders are responsible for enforcing the law, protecting service members' rights, and protecting and caring for victims of crime. Commanders are also responsible for providing administrative support to judicial proceedings.
The UCMJ applies to members serving on active duty in a Title 10 status.
SUMMARY COURT-MARTIAL
A summary court-martial is a court composed of one officer who may or may not be a lawyer. The summary court handles minor crimes of enlisted service members only, and has simple procedures.
The maximum punishment depends on the rank of the accused, limited to confinement for one month (E-4s and below); forfeiture of two-thirds of pay for one month; and reduction in grade.
A summary court-martial may not try an accused against his will. If the service member objects, a commander may elect a trial by higher court-martial.
The accused does not have a right to military counsel at a summary court-martial, although the member may consult with defense counsel prior to the hearing.
SPECIAL COURT-MARTIAL
A special court-martial can try all service members and consists of a military judge, at least three court members (unless the accused chooses to be tried by military judge alone); a trial counsel; and a defense counsel.
The maximum sentence is a bad conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months, forfeiture of two-thirds pay per month for 12 months, and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade.
If a bad conduct discharge is adjudged, the accused has an automatic right of appeal to the service Court of Criminal Appeals.
GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL
A general court-martial tries cases over all service members for the most serious offenses. It consists of a military judge; at least five members of the panel (unless the accused elects to be tried by a military judge alone); a trial counsel; and a defense counsel.
Unless waived by the accused, a formal investigation (an "Article 32" investigation) must occur before a general court-martial may try the case.
The general court-martial my adjudge the most severe punishments authorized, including the death penalty.
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Members of reserve components are subject to the UCMJ, but only when actually performing reserve duty.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a federal law and the basis of our military justice system. It outlines what conduct is criminal, establishes the various types of courts, and sets forth the procedures to be followed in the administration of military justice.
Sexual assault is intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. It includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these acts.
Commanders are tasked with maintaining good order and discipline within their units.
In the military justice system, commanders have a quasi-judicial role in that they make decisions that are made by prosecutors or judges in the civilian sector.
Pretrial agreements are agreements between the accused and the convening authority that may affect reduction in rank; length of confinement; and amount of forfeitures, among other terms.
When a commander learns that a member of her command is being held by civilian authorities or is charged with a criminal offense, she should take prompt action.
Pretrial restraint includes:
Conditions on liberty
Restriction in lieu of arrest
Arrest
Pretrial confinement
Unless waived by the accused, an Article 32 preliminary hearing is required before a servicemember can be referred to a general court-martial for trial.
If a commander receives information that a member of his command is suspected of committing an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), he should direct a preliminary inquiry into the charge(s).
The Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) provides guidance for the protection and assistance of victims and witnesses, enhances their roles in the military criminal justice process, and preserves the constitutional rights of an accused.
A Special Victim's Counsel is an attorney who represents and counsels victims of sexual assault
Sexual assault is intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. It includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these acts.
The Department of Defense drug testing program is primarily based upon random urine tests.
Urine tests prove past usage. The tests cannot prove impairment, frequency of usage, method of ingestion, or knowing ingestion.
Drug abuse is incompatible with military service.
Unlike alcohol abuse, which the Department of Defense (DoD) views as a preventable and treatable disease, the DoD deals with drug abuse more strictly, in that the identified drug abuser is subject to punitive action or involuntary separation.
Nonjudicial punishment (NJP) provides commanders with a means of maintaining good order and discipline without resorting to criminal prosecution.
A commander may inspect and authorize probable cause searches and seizures of persons and property under his or her command.
A search authorization must be based upon probable cause. Probable cause exists when there is a reasonable belief that the items connected with criminal activity are located in the place or on the person to be searched.
Service members accused of crimes are afforded certain protections.
You must advise a service member of his rights under Article 31, UCMJ when you reasonably suspect he has committed a crime prior to questioning. You do not need to advise a witness not suspected of committing an offense of his rights -- even during official questioning.
