special court-martial
Noun: A special court-martial is a specific type of military court convened to try members of the armed forces for offenses that are considered less serious than major crimes, particularly those committed in combat or direct action. Its jurisdiction is limited to non-capital offenses. By regulation, it must consist of a military judge and at least three officer members who act as the panel (similar to a jury), or, in some cases, a military judge alone if the accused so chooses.
This term is used exclusively within a military legal context to designate a mid-level judicial proceeding, more serious than a summary court-martial but less severe than a general court-martial. - The sergeant faced a special court-martial for the alleged violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. - The charge was referred for trial by special court-martial, which has limited sentencing authority.
- "to be tried by special court-martial": This is the standard phrasing for indicating the forum of a military trial.
- The officer elected to be tried by a special court-martial composed of a military judge alone.
- General court-martial (noun): The highest level court-martial, used for the most serious offenses, with greater sentencing powers, including life imprisonment or the death penalty.
- Summary court-martial (noun): The most basic level of court-martial, used for minor offenses, typically involving a single officer who acts as judge and jury.
- Court-martial (noun/verb): The overarching term for a military court or the act of trying someone in such a court.
- Intermediate military tribunal: A formal synonym describing its position in the hierarchy of military courts.
- Mid-grade court-martial: A descriptive term highlighting its level of severity.
The key distinction of a special court-martial lies in its jurisdictional scope and composition. It is designed for offenses of intermediate seriousness (e.g., assault, theft, absence without leave) that do not warrant the highest level of military trial. The requirement for "at least three officers" ensures a panel of peers for deliberation, though modern rules allow for trial by a single military judge if requested by the accused.
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a court-martial to try soldiers for offenses less serious that than those committed in action; consists of at least three officers