Which type of court-martial is the least formal?

The least formal type of court-martial is the summary court-martial. This type of court-martial is designed for minor offenses and is characterized by a more expedited process than general and special courts-martial. Summary courts-martial are often used to address non-capital offenses and typically involve a single officer who serves as the military judge, making the proceedings much less formal.

In summary courts-martial, there are fewer procedural safeguards and they do not involve the same level of complexity as general or special courts-martial, which can include jury panels and more extensive evidentiary procedures. The primary purpose of a summary court-martial is to ensure swift and efficient resolution of minor offenses, allowing for both disciplinary action and the opportunity for rehabilitation without burdening the judicial process.

Understanding the formality level of each type of court-martial is important for grasping how the military justice system operates and the specific contexts in which each type is employed.