Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Military offense refers to a crime committed by a member of the armed forces that is punishable under military law. Examples of military offenses include desertion and disobeying orders. Military offenses are tried in a military court called a court-martial, which is different from a regular court. There are three types of courts-martial: summary court-martial, special court-martial, and general court-martial. The punishment for a military offense can range from a warning to imprisonment or even a bad-conduct discharge.
Definition: A military offense is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice that falls under the jurisdiction of a military court. Examples of military offenses include desertion and other crimes committed by members of the armed forces.
A court-martial is a type of military court that is convened to try individuals accused of violating military law. There are three types of courts-martial:
For example, if a soldier is accused of desertion, they may be tried in a court-martial. Depending on the severity of the offense, they may face a summary court-martial, a special court-martial, or a general court-martial. The court will determine the appropriate punishment, which may include confinement, dismissal from the military, or even the death penalty.