General Court-Martial

A “general court-martial” is similar to a felony court. A general court-martial has jurisdiction over all personnel charged with any United Code of Military Justice offense. A general court-martial is the most serious type of court-martial. Unless the accused waives his or her right, a general court-martial cannot proceed until a thorough investigation has been made to find a basis for the charges. This pretrial proceeding is called an “Article 32″ investigation. It is similar to a grand jury hearing in a criminal court.

• A general court-martial is composed of a military judge and at least five members, which may include commissioned officers.
• The accused can request that a military judge conduct the general court-martial alone in a non-capital case.
• The accused is allowed to retain a private attorney. A military lawyer will also be appointed to the accused. If you retain a private attorney, the military lawyer will still be representing you. You will have two lawyers representing you to get you the best result.
• The charges will be prosecuted by a military lawyer (JAG).
• A general court-martial may give any sentence not prohibited by the United Code of Military Justice, including death when authorized.

If you or a loved one is facing a general court-martial, it is important that you speak with an experienced military crimes attorney with an outside perspective. This is the most serious court-martial you can face. At Wallin & Klarich, we can provide you with experienced quality representation. You will be facing charges that may significantly impact your role in the military. Hiring a private attorney can give you the advantage in your case to get the best result possible. Call us today at (888) 749-0034 or contact us on our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.