How many types of court-martial are recognized in the military justice system?

The military justice system recognizes three types of court-martial: summary court-martial, special court-martial, and general court-martial. Each type serves a different purpose and has varying levels of authority and procedure.

The summary court-martial is designed for minor offenses and typically involves a single officer acting as a judge. This type is streamlined and allows for quicker resolutions.

The special court-martial functions similarly to a civilian misdemeanor court and can involve a judge and a panel of officers. It deals with offenses of greater severity than those handled by summary court-martials but is still less serious than those addressed by general courts-martial.

The general court-martial is the most serious type, capable of imposing severe penalties, including confinement and discharge from service. It involves a military judge and usually a panel of officers, and is used for serious crimes.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating the military justice system and ensures that service members are held accountable in a manner that reflects the seriousness of their offenses.