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What is a General Court
Martial?
A general court-martial is the most
serious level of military courts. It consists of a military judge,
trial counsel, defense counsel, and at least five court members. In
capitol cases, there must be at least twelve members on the court.
Again, an enlisted accused may request a court composed of at least
one-third enlisted personnel. Unless the case is one in which the
death sentence could be adjudged, an officer or enlisted accused may
also request trial by judge alone.
In a general court-martial, the
maximum punishment is that established for each offense under the Manual for
Courts-Martial, and may include death (for certain offenses), confinement, a
dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge for enlisted personnel, a dismissal
for officers, or a number of other lesser forms of punishment.
A pretrial investigation under
Article 32, UCMJ, must be conducted before a case may be referred to a
general court-martial, unless waived by the accused. The Article 32
Investigation is the military equivalent of the preliminary hearing or grand
jury in the civilian sector. |
