What Will Transpire During a General Court Martial?

Interviewer: What happens if the case goes to a general court-martial? How long does it take to reach a resolution?

Chris: If charges are referred and you go to a general court-martial, and you make a decision whether or not to have a panel of members or to go with a military judge and you just go to trial.

Will You Have a Jury During a General Court Martial?

Interviewer: It’s just one step and it’s a trial. Then, are these trials jury trials or are they different from normal civilian trials?

Chris: They are jury trials. The difference is, depending on whether you have a special or a general court-martial, it doesn’t have to be unanimous to convict and there is no such thing as a hung jury. There aren’t retrials.

Will Your Jury be Comprised of Military Members?

Interviewer: Who are the jurors? Are they military members?

Chris: They’re military members and they have to be the same rank as you, have to be senior to you in rank or greater. You can’t have somebody who is lower ranking than you.