Legal Definitions - pretrial investigation

Definition: Pretrial investigation is a process in military law where an investigation is conducted to determine whether a case should be recommended for forwarding to a general court-martial.

Example: A soldier is accused of stealing military equipment. A pretrial investigation is conducted to gather evidence and determine whether there is enough evidence to recommend the case for a general court-martial.

Explanation: Pretrial investigation is an important step in the military justice system. It helps to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated before they are brought to trial. The investigation may involve interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence, and reviewing documents. The goal is to determine whether there is enough evidence to support a conviction and whether the case should be forwarded to a general court-martial.