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court-martial definition - legal

n

An ad hoc military court whose judges are commissioned officers of higher rank than, and of the same branch of the armed services as, the accused. This court is convened to try a member of the armed services who is accused of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
general court-martial
The highest military court, comprised of five officers (unless the defendant decides to be tried by only one judge) with jurisdiction to try all offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and to impose any sanction permitted by the code (including death).
special court-martial
An intermediate military court, comprised of three officers (unless the defendant decides to be tried by only one judge) with jurisdiction to try all noncapital offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. However, the sanctions this court can prescribe may be no greater than a dismissal from the armed services or six months imprisonment.
summary court-martial
The lowest military court, comprised of one officer. The type of offenses this court can try and the sanctions it is allowed to impose are very limited. Furthermore, the accused may refuse trial by a summary court-martial, in which case he or she will be tried by a general or special court-martial.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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