Court Military Person Punishments Types Court Martial Armed Breaking

A "court-martial" is a military court that is used for lawsuits against "members of the armed services" (people who are serving in the army, navy, marines, air force, or coast guard) who are "accused" (said to have done something bad) of breaking a military law. In the United States, there are three types of courts-martial: "summary," "special," and "general."

A "summary court-martial" is the simplest and lowest court level. It is used for "minor" (not very important or serious) "incidents" (negative episodes or instances of behavior). There is only one "officer" (a person who fills a particular role) and punishments are limited.

The next court level is the "special court-martial," which is used for "trials" (lawsuits) involving more serious "offenses" (crimes; instances of breaking a law). The special court-martial has a "judge" (the person who controls the court sessions and determines the appropriate punishment), a lawyer for each side of the case, and at least three officers who "comprise" (make up) the "jury," or the group of people who listen to a trial and decide whether the "defendant" (the person accused of committing a crime) is "guilty" (has broken the law) or "innocent" (has not broken the law). Punishments can include "short-term" (temporary; lasting only a little while) "confinement" (being held in prison) of "up to" (no more than) one year or "pay cuts" (reductions in the amount of money one receives for one's work).

A "general court-martial" is the highest court level and is used only for the most serious offenses. At least five officers are on the jury. Punishments can include a longer confinement, "discharge" (being forced to leave the armed services), and even death, depending on the offense.