Collapse to view only § 834. Art. 34. Advice to convening authority before referral for trial
- § 830. Art. 30. Charges and specifications
- § 830a. Art. 30a. Proceedings conducted before referral
- § 831. Art. 31. Compulsory self-incrimination prohibited
- § 832. Art. 32. Preliminary hearing required before referral to general court-martial
- § 833. Art. 33. Disposition guidance
- § 834. Art. 34. Advice to convening authority before referral for trial
- § 835. Art. 35. Service of charges; commencement of trial
§ 830. Art. 30. Charges and specifications
(a)In General.—Charges and specifications—
(1) may be preferred only by a person subject to this chapter; and
(2) shall be preferred by presentment in writing, signed under oath before a commissioned officer of the armed forces who is authorized to administer oaths.
(b)Required Content.—The writing under subsection (a) shall state that—
(1) the signer has personal knowledge of, or has investigated, the matters set forth in the charges and specifications; and
(2) the matters set forth in the charges and specifications are true, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the signer.
(c)Duty of Proper Authority.—When charges and specifications are preferred under subsection (a), the proper authority shall, as soon as practicable—
(1) inform the person accused of the charges and specifications; and
(2) determine what disposition should be made of the charges and specifications in the interest of justice and discipline.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 47; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5201, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2904.)
§ 830a. Art. 30a. Proceedings conducted before referral
(a)In General.—
(1) The President shall prescribe regulations for matters relating to proceedings conducted before referral of charges and specifications to court-martial for trial, including the following:
(A) Pre-referral investigative subpoenas.
(B) Pre-referral warrants or orders for electronic communications.
(C) Pre-referral matters referred by an appellate court.
(D) Pre-referral matters under subsection (c) or (e) of section 806b of this title (article 6b).
(E) Pre-referral matters relating to the following:
(i) Pre-trial confinement of an accused.
(ii) The mental capacity or mental responsibility of an accused.
(iii) A request for an individual military counsel.
(2) In addition to the matters specified in paragraph (1), the regulations prescribed under that paragraph shall—
(A) set forth the matters that a military judge may rule upon in such proceedings;
(B) include procedures for the review of such rulings;
(C) include appropriate limitations to ensure that proceedings under this section extend only to matters that would be subject to consideration by a military judge in a general or special court-martial; and
(D) provide such limitations on the relief that may be ordered under this section as the President considers appropriate.
(3) If any matter in a proceeding under this section becomes a subject at issue with respect to charges that have been referred to a general or special court-martial, the matter shall be transferred to the military judge detailed to the court-martial.
(b)Detail of Military Judge.—The Secretary concerned shall prescribe regulations providing for the manner in which military judges are detailed to proceedings under subsection (a)(1).
(c)Discretion to Designate Magistrate to Preside.—In accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, a military judge detailed to a proceeding under subsection (a)(1), other than a proceeding described in subparagraph (B) of that subsection, may designate a military magistrate to preside over the proceeding.
(Added Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5202, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2904; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 531(b), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1384; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 531(a), (b)(1), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1359.)
§ 831. Art. 31. Compulsory self-incrimination prohibited
(a) No person subject to this chapter may compel any person to incriminate himself or to answer any question the answer to which may tend to incriminate him.
(b) No person subject to this chapter may interrogate, or request any statement from, an accused or a person suspected of an offense without first informing him of the nature of the accusation and advising him that he does not have to make any statement regarding the offense of which he is accused or suspected and that any statement made by him may be used as evidence against him in a trial by court-martial.
(c) No person subject to this chapter may compel any person to make a statement or produce evidence before any military tribunal if the statement or evidence is not material to the issue and may tend to degrade him.
(d) No statement obtained from any person in violation of this article, or through the use of coercion, unlawful influence, or unlawful inducement may be received in evidence against him in a trial by court-martial.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 48.)
§ 832. Art. 32. Preliminary hearing required before referral to general court-martial
(a)In General.—
(1)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a preliminary hearing shall be held before referral of charges and specifications for trial by general court-martial. The preliminary hearing shall be conducted by an impartial hearing officer detailed in accordance with subparagraph (C).
(B) Under regulations prescribed by the President, a preliminary hearing need not be held if the accused submits a written waiver to—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), the convening authority and the convening authority determines that a hearing is not required; and
(ii) with respect to charges and specifications over which the special trial counsel is exercising authority in accordance with section 824a of this title (article 24a), the special trial counsel and the special trial counsel determines that a hearing is not required.
(C)
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), the convening authority shall detail a hearing officer.
(ii) If a special trial counsel is exercising authority over the charges and specifications subject to a preliminary hearing under this section (article), the special trial counsel shall request a hearing officer and a hearing officer shall be provided by the convening authority, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President.
(2) The purpose of the preliminary hearing shall be limited to determining the following:
(A) Whether or not the specification alleges an offense under this chapter.
(B) Whether or not there is probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged.
(C) Whether or not the convening authority has court-martial jurisdiction over the accused and over the offense.
(D) A recommendation as to the disposition that should be made of the case.
(b)Hearing Officer.—
(1) A preliminary hearing under this section shall be conducted by an impartial hearing officer, who—
(A) whenever practicable, shall be a judge advocate who is certified under section 827(b)(2) of this title (article 27(b)(2)); or
(B) when it is not practicable to appoint a judge advocate because of exceptional circumstances, is not a judge advocate so certified.
(2) In the case of a hearing officer under paragraph (1)(B), a judge advocate who is certified under section 827(b)(2) of this title (article 27(b)(2)) shall be available to provide legal advice to the hearing officer.
(3) Whenever practicable, the hearing officer shall be equal in grade or senior in grade to military counsel who are detailed to represent the accused or the Government at the preliminary hearing.
(c)Report to Convening Authority or Special Trial Counsel.—After a preliminary hearing under this section, the hearing officer shall submit to the convening authority or, in the case of a preliminary hearing in which the hearing officer is provided at the request of a special trial counsel to the special trial counsel, a written report (accompanied by a recording of the preliminary hearing under subsection (e)) that includes the following:
(1) For each specification, a statement of the reasoning and conclusions of the hearing officer with respect to determinations under subsection (a)(2), including a summary of relevant witness testimony and documentary evidence presented at the hearing and any observations of the hearing officer concerning the testimony of witnesses and the availability and admissibility of evidence at trial.
(2) Recommendations for any necessary modifications to the form of the charges or specifications.
(3) An analysis of any additional information submitted after the hearing by the parties or by a victim of an offense, that, under such rules as the President may prescribe, is relevant to disposition under sections 830 and 834 of this title (articles 30 and 34).
(4) A statement of action taken on evidence adduced with respect to uncharged offenses, as described in subsection (f).
(d)Rights of Accused and Victim.—
(1) The accused shall be advised of the charges against the accused and of the accused’s right to be represented by counsel at the preliminary hearing under this section. The accused has the right to be represented at the preliminary hearing as provided in section 838 of this title (article 38) and in regulations prescribed under that section.
(2) The accused may cross-examine witnesses who testify at the preliminary hearing and present additional evidence that is relevant to the issues for determination under subsection (a)(2).
(3) A victim may not be required to testify at the preliminary hearing. A victim who declines to testify shall be deemed to be not available for purposes of the preliminary hearing. A declination under this paragraph shall not serve as the sole basis for ordering a deposition under section 849 of this title (article 49).
(4) The presentation of evidence and examination (including cross-examination) of witnesses at a preliminary hearing shall be limited to the matters relevant to determinations under subsection (a)(2).
(e)Recording of Preliminary Hearing.—A preliminary hearing under subsection (a) shall be recorded by a suitable recording device. The victim may request the recording and shall have access to the recording under such rules as the President may prescribe.
(f)Effect of Evidence of Uncharged Offense.—If evidence adduced in a preliminary hearing under subsection (a) indicates that the accused committed an uncharged offense, the hearing officer may consider the subject matter of that offense without the accused having first been charged with the offense if the accused—
(1) is present at the preliminary hearing;
(2) is informed of the nature of each uncharged offense considered; and
(3) is afforded the opportunities for representation, cross-examination, and presentation consistent with subsection (d).
(g)Effect of Violation.—The requirements of this section are binding on all persons administering this chapter, but failure to follow the requirements does not constitute jurisdictional error. A defect in a report under subsection (c) is not a basis for relief if the report is in substantial compliance with that subsection.
(h)Victim Defined.—In this section, the term “victim” means a person who—
(1) is alleged to have suffered a direct physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the matters set forth in a charge or specification being considered; and
(2) is named in one of the specifications.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 48; Pub. L. 97–81, § 4(a), Nov. 20, 1981, 95 Stat. 1088; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XI, § 1131, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(a)(1), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 954; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, § 531(a)(4)(A), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3363; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5203(a)–(d), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2905, 2906; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, § 536, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1696.)
§ 833. Art. 33. Disposition guidance
The President shall direct the Secretary of Defense to issue, in consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, non-binding guidance regarding factors that commanders, convening authorities, staff judge advocates, and judge advocates should take into account when exercising their duties with respect to disposition of charges and specifications in the interest of justice and discipline under sections 830 and 834 of this title (articles 30 and 34). Such guidance shall take into account, with appropriate consideration of military requirements, the principles contained in official guidance of the Attorney General to attorneys for the Government with respect to disposition of Federal criminal cases in accordance with the principle of fair and evenhanded administration of Federal criminal law.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 49; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5204, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2906.)
§ 834. Art. 34. Advice to convening authority before referral for trial
(a)General Court-martial.—
(1)Staff judge advocate advice required before referral.—Subject to subsection (c), before referral of charges and specifications to a general court-martial for trial, the convening authority shall submit the matter to the staff judge advocate for advice, which the staff judge advocate shall provide to the convening authority in writing. The convening authority may not refer a specification under a charge to a general court-martial unless the staff judge advocate advises the convening authority in writing that—
(A) the specification alleges an offense under this chapter;
(B) there is probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged; and
(C) a court-martial would have jurisdiction over the accused and the offense.
(2)Staff judge advocate recommendation as to disposition.—Together with the written advice provided under paragraph (1), the staff judge advocate shall provide a written recommendation to the convening authority as to the disposition that should be made of the specification in the interest of justice and discipline.
(3)Staff judge advocate advice and recommendation to accompany referral.—When a convening authority makes a referral for trial by general court-martial, the written advice of the staff judge advocate under paragraph (1) and the written recommendation of the staff judge advocate under paragraph (2) with respect to each specification shall accompany the referral.
(b)Special Court-martial; Convening Authority Consultation With Judge Advocate.—Subject to subsection (c), before referral of charges and specifications to a special court-martial for trial, the convening authority shall consult a judge advocate on relevant legal issues.
(c)Covered Offenses.—A referral to a general or special court-martial for trial of charges and specifications over which a special trial counsel exercises authority may only be made—
(1) by a special trial counsel, subject to a special trial counsel’s written determination accompanying the referral that—
(A) each specification under a charge alleges an offense under this chapter;
(B) there is probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged; and
(C) a court-martial would have jurisdiction over the accused and the offense; or
(2) in the case of charges and specifications that do not allege a covered offense and as to which a special trial counsel declines to prefer or, in the case of charges and specifications preferred by a person other than a special trial counsel, refer charges, by the convening authority in accordance with this section.
(d)General and Special Courts-martial; Correction of Charges and Specifications Before Referral.—Before referral for trial by general court-martial or special court-martial, changes may be made to charges and specifications—
(1) to correct errors in form; and
(2) when applicable, to conform to the substance of the evidence contained in a report under section 832(c) of this title (article 32(c)).
(e)Referral Defined.—In this section, the term “referral” means the order of a convening authority or, with respect to charges and specifications over which a special trial counsel exercises authority in accordance with section 824a of this title (article 24a), a special trial counsel, that charges and specifications against an accused be tried by a specified court-martial.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 49; Pub. L. 98–209, § 4, Dec. 6, 1983, 97 Stat. 1395; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(c)(3)(B), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 957; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, § 531(a)(4)(B), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3363; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5205, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2907; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title V, § 537, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1697.)
§ 835. Art. 35. Service of charges; commencement of trial
(a)In General.—Trial counsel detailed for a court-martial under section 827 of this title (article 27) shall cause to be served upon the accused a copy of the charges and specifications referred for trial.
(b)Commencement of Trial.—
(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), no trial or other proceeding of a general court-martial or a special court-martial (including any session under section 839(a) of this title (article 39(a)) may be held over the objection of the accused—
(A) with respect to a general court-martial, from the time of service through the fifth day after the date of service; or
(B) with respect to a special court-martial, from the time of service through the third day after the date of service.
(2) An objection under paragraph (1) may be raised only at the first session of the trial or other proceeding and only if the first session occurs before the end of the applicable period under paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B). If the first session occurs before the end of the applicable period, the military judge shall, at that session, inquire as to whether the defense objects under this subsection.
(3) This subsection shall not apply in time of war.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 49; Pub. L. 90–632, § 2(12), Oct. 24, 1968, 82 Stat. 1337; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVI, § 5206, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2908.)